Hymenophyllum fragile (Hedw.) C.V.Morton

  • Authority

    Mickel, John T. & Smith, Alan R. 2004. The pteridophytes of Mexico. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 88: 1-1054.

  • Family

    Hymenophyllaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Hymenophyllum fragile (Hedw.) C.V.Morton

  • Description

    Species Description - Rhizomes long-creeping, 0.2 mm diam.; rhizome hairs simple, light brown, 0.5 mm long; fronds 3–6 x 1–2 cm, distant; stipes 0–1 cm long, 0.1–0.2 mm diam., with forked or stellate hairs, alate only at apices (proximal pinnae decurrent); blades pinnate to pinnate-pinnatifid, pinnae bifid or more forked; segments 1– 1.3 mm wide; margins plane to undulate, entire; rachises alate, with 2–3-stellate hairs; sessile stellate hairs on veins, laminae, and especially on blade margins; involucres not or slightly immersed, as long as wide, margins with sessile stellate hairs, receptacles not exserted.

  • Discussion

    Trichomanes fragile Hedw., Fil. Gen. Sp., t. 18. 1802. Type. “America meridionalis.” (G). Hymenophyllum intercalatum Christ, Bull. Herb. Boissier, se´r. 2, 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 surfaces, and forked or stellate hairs on the stipes.

  • Distribution

    Epiphytic or epipetric, rarely terrestrial; 2000– 2700 m. Mexico; Guat, Hond, CR, Pan; Gr Ant; Col, Ven, Ec, Peru, Braz, Bol. Selected Specimens Examined. Chis (Breedlove 21457, 29432, 31622, 32402, 33688, NY; Martínez S. 19827, NY; Somers 283, NY). Gro (Lorea 2365, ENCB p.p.). Oax (Mickel 4247, 4252a, NY).

    Mexico North America| Guatemala Central America| Honduras Central America| Costa Rica South America| Panama Central America| Amazonas Colombia South America| Venezuela South America| Amazonas Ecuador South America| Peru South America| Bolivia South America| Brazil South America|