Pecluma alfredii (Rosenst.) M.G.Price

  • Authority

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

  • Family

    Polypodiaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Pecluma alfredii (Rosenst.) M.G.Price

  • Description

    Species Description - Rhizome short-creeping, 3-5 cm diam.; rhizome scales 1.5-2.5 mm long, 1 mm wide, brown, ovate, acute, entire; fronds 20-55 cm long, clumped; stipe 1/15-1/5 the frond length, black with brown lateral stripes, with scattered hairs (0.5-0.8 mm); rachis with brown, acute, entire scales (0.8-1.0 mm long) and dense hairs (0.5-0.8 mm long); blade narrowly oblong, 5-8 cm wide, lower segments reduced, deflexed; pinnae linear-deltate, acute, 2.5-4 cm long, 2-4 mm wide, lower edge perpendicular to the rachis, surcurrent in lower blade half, entire, adaxial surface glabrous with dense hairs (0.3-0.5 mm) on midrib, lower surface with scattered trichomidia, margin with scattered 0.5-0.8 mm long hairs, mostly near tip; veins free, once-forked; sori round, with clavate paraphyses (0.3-0.5 mm long); sporangia glabrous.

  • Discussion

    Polypodium alfredii Rosenstock, Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. 22: 15. 1925. Type. Costa Rica. Turrialba, Brade & Brade 697 (S; isotype US!). Polypodium cyathicola Copeland, Univ. Calif. Publ. Bot. 19: 292, t. 43. 1941. Type. Mexico. Veracruz: Cuantlancillo (Orizaba), Copeland, Mex. Ferns 127 (MICH!; isotype US!). Pecluma alfredii is unique in its black stipes with brown lateral stripes.

  • Distribution

    Epiphytic or epipetric in humid oak woods and on dry exposed banks; Cuicatlán, Ixtlán, Juquila, Mixe, Teotitlán, Tlacolula, Villa Alta; 900-3050 m. Mexico (SLP, Tam, Hgo, Ver, Mor, Pue, Oax, Chis); Guat to CR.

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