Pteris pulchra Schltdl. & Cham.

  • Authority

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

  • Family

    Pteridaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Pteris pulchra Schltdl. & Cham.

  • Description

    Species Description - Rhizome scales bicolorous; fronds 1-2 m long; stipe stramineous, glabrous; blade bipinnate with exaggerated basiscopic pinnules, chartaceous to firm; pinnules lanceolate, 90-150 mm long, 12-22 mm wide, base cuneate, margin entire, apex serrulate, upper surface glabrous, lower surface with 0.3 mm long hairs on midvein, otherwise glabrous; awns lacking; veins netted throughout; indusium 0.5 mm wide, entire; sporangia mixed with 0.1 mm long paraphyses; spores dark brown.

  • Discussion

    Type. Mexico. Veracruz: “Inter Misantlán et Colipán,” Schiede & Deppe 787 (B! -4 sheets; isotype B-frag. NY!). Pteris arborescens Martens & Galeotti, Mém. foug. Me-xique 54. 1842. Type. Mexico. Oaxaca: Chinantla, Galeotti 6375 (BR!; isotypes B!, BR!). Litobrochia mexicana Fée, Mém. foug. 5: 136. 1852. Pteris mexicana (Fée) Fournier, Mexic. pl. 1: 117. 1872. Type. Mexico. Oaxaca: Galeotti 6376 (P!; isotypes BR! -6 sheets, K, US!). Pteris pulchra is distinct by its strictly bipinnate blade, netted veins and lack of pinna awns.

  • Distribution

    Margins of wet lowland forests; Choapan, Ixtlán, Tehuantepec; 100-500 m. Mexico (SLP, Hgo, VC, Gro, Oax, Chis).

    Mexico North America|