Lycopodium pithyoides Schltdl. & Cham.
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Authority
Mickel, John T. & Beitel, Joseph M. 1988. Pteridophyte Flora of Oaxaca, Mexico. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 46: 1-580.
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Family
Lycopodiaceae
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Scientific Name
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Description
Species Description - Plants erect to suberect; stems mostly 20-30 cm long, 4-5 mm diam. (without the leaves), dark red (rarely light brown), 2-4 times forked, the divisions often widely divergent; leaves chartaceous, spirally arranged in many ranks, green, basal 3 mm red on abaxial surface with green margins, widely spreading (deflexed at base of plant, ascending at stem tip), linear, mostly (2.0-)2.5-4.0 cm long, 0.7-1.0 mm wide at base, midrib immersed, not visible, margin entire, revolute (when dry); sporophylls similar to vegetative leaves in form, size and habit.
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Discussion
Urostachys pithyoides (Schlechtendal & Chamisso) Herter, Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. 19:164.1923. Type. Mexico. Veracruz: Jalapa, Schiede & Deppe s.n. (B!). Lycopodium gigas Herter, Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 43(Beibl. 98): 50. 1909. Urostachys gigas (Herter) Herter, Re-pert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. 19:164. 1923. Lectotype (chosen by Herter, 1923: 164). “Südmexiko. Epiphyt auf Bäumen, besonders Eichen, Hänge der Cordille-ren, 2000 m,” J. Harström s.n. (P). Lycopodium pithyoides is close to L. hippurideum but stouter and with larger leaves. Since it grows high in branches it is probably more common than the few collections would suggest.
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Distribution
Epiphytic in wet montane forests on Atlantic slope; Cuicatlán, Teotitlán, Villa Alta; 1000-1600 m. Mexico (SLP, Tam, Ver, Oax, Chis); Guat, Hond; Cuba.
Mexico North America| Cuba South America| Honduras Central America| Guatemala Central America|