Hymenophyllum fragile (Hedw.) C.V.Morton

  • Authority

    Mickel, John T. & Beitel, Joseph M. 1988. Pteridophyte Flora of Oaxaca, Mexico. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 46: 1-580.

  • Family

    Hymenophyllaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Hymenophyllum fragile (Hedw.) C.V.Morton

  • Description

    Species Description - Rhizome long-creeping, 0.2 mm diam.; rhizome hairs light brown, 0.5 mm long; fronds 36 cm long, distant; stipe short, sessile to 1 cm long, 0.1-0.2 mm diam., not alate (except for decurrent basal pinnae); blade pinnate to pin-nate-pinnatifid, pinnae bifid or more forked; segments 1.0-1.3 mm wide; margin plane to undulate, entire; rachis alate, with stellate hairs; sessile stellate hairs on veins, lamina, and especially on margin; involucres not or slightly immersed, as long as wide, margin with sessile stellate hairs, receptacle not exserted.

  • Discussion

    Trichomanes fragile Hedwig, Fil. gen. sp., t. 18. 1802. Type. “America meridionalis” (G). Hymenophyllum intercalatum Christ, Bull. Herb. Bois-sier II, 4: 942. 1904. Type. Costa Rica. Turrialba, Pittier 13259 (P?). Hymenophyllum fragile is distinguished by its small size, pinnatifid pinnae, sessile stellate hairs on the blade surface, and forked or stellate hairs on the stipe.

  • Distribution

    Epiphytic or epipetric (or terrestrial); Choapan, Ixtlán; 2000 m. Mexico (Hgo, Ver, Oax, Chis); Guat to Pan; Gr Antill; Ven & Col to Bol & Braz.

    Mexico North America| Brazil South America| Bolivia South America| Colombia South America| Venezuela South America| Panama Central America| Guatemala Central America|