Pleopeltis fallax (Schltdl. & Cham.) Mickel & Beitel
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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
Polypodiaceae
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Scientific Name
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Description
Species Description - Rhizome long-creeping, 0.6-0.8 mm diam., green; rhizome scales ca. 0.5 mm long, black, clathrate, ovate, thick-walled, with cluster of long brown hairs (ca. 1 mm long) at central point of attachment, rhizome thus appearing densely pubescent; fronds monomorphic, distant; stipe ca. 1/3 the frond length, light brown with very narrow decurrent wing, with very sparse, minute, 0.3-0.5 mm, dark, appressed scales; blade oblong to narrowly debate, 2.5-6 cm long, 1-2 cm wide, pinnate-pinnatifid, to pinnate-bipinnatifid; pinnae 4-7 pairs, opposite to alternate, adaxially glabrous; abaxial scales sparse, reddish-brown, lanceolate, serrulate, 0.5-0.8 mm long; sori round, at maturity exceeding the pinnae in width, peltate soral scales ovate-lanceolate, 0.1-0.3 mm long, center dark brown-black, margin pale, fimbriate.
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Discussion
Polypodium fallax Schlechtendal & Chamisso, Linnaea 5: 609. 1830. Type. Mexico. [Veracruz:] Misantla, Schiede & Deppe 758 (isotype B!, photo BM!; isotype LE!). Polypodium tuerckheimii Christ, Bull. Herb. Boissier II, 5: 254. 1905. Type. Guatemala. Alta Verapaz: Cubilquitz, Türckheim s.n. (P, photo BM). This species appears superficially like a Polypodium in its pinnate-pinnatifid frond, but we place it in Pleopeltis on the basis of its caducous peltate paraphyses. The species is distinct in its divided blade and threadlike rhizome.
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Distribution
Epiphytic in mesic woods on Atlantic side of state; Choapan, Ixtlán, Cuicatlán, Mixe, Tehuantepec, Teotitlán, Tuxtepec, Villa Alta; 100-1450 m. Mexico (SLP, Hgo, Ver, Pue, Oax, Chis); Guat to CR.
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