Polypodium polypodioides (L.) Walter

  • 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

    Polypodium polypodioides (L.) Walter

  • Description

    Species Description - Rhizome long-creeping, 1-2 mm diam.; rhizome scales imbricate, linear-lanceolate, 3-4 mm long, denticulate-ciliolate; fronds 5-25 cm long, distant; stipe less than half the frond length with scales peltate, appressed, linear-lanceolate; blade oblong-deltate to linear-oblong, 1.5-6 cm wide, apex acute, base truncate, pinnatifid, apex pinnatifid; pinnae 6-13(-16) pairs, obtuse, base dilated, coriaceous, curling on drying; abaxial surface with dense, round to ovate-lanceolate, peltate scales with dark center and pale erose-denticulate margin; upper surface with few scales with strongly fimbriate margin; veins obscure; sori supramedial, partly embedded; sporangia glabrous.

  • Discussion

    Acrostichum polypodioides Linnaeus, Sp. pl. 2: 1068. 1753. Polypodium incanum Swartz, Prodr. veg. ind. occ. 131. 1788, nom. illeg. Marginaria incana (Swartz) Presl, Tent, pterid. 188. 1836. Goniophlebium incanum (Swartz) J. Smith, J. Bot. (Hooker) 4: 56. 1841. Marginaria polypodioides (Linnaeus) Tidestrom, Torreya 5: 171. 1905. Lectotype (chosen by Weatherby, Contr. Gray Herb. 124: 28. 1939). Jamaica. No collector cited (Herb. Plukenet, BM). Polypodium polypodioides is distinct from small specimens of P. thyssanolepis by the narrow rhizome and blade, more and narrower pinnae, and lacking hydathodes.

  • Distribution

    Epiphytic and epipetric in mesic woods; Mexico, se US; C. Amer.; WI; Col & Ven to Bol & n Arg. Weatherby (Contr. Gray Herb. 124: 22-35. 1939) recognized five varieties, of which three are either found in Oaxaca or on both sides of it.

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