Salvinia auriculata Aubl.

  • Authority

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

  • Family

    Salviniaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Salvinia auriculata Aubl.

  • Description

    Species Description - Rhizome with U-shaped stele in cross section; floating leaves orbicular to orbicular-cordate, wider than long (in the sun), 1.5-2.0 cm long, l.8-2.5 cm wide, notched on both ends, adaxial side with numerous elongate conical papillae over entire surface in rows between main veins, papillae with four (rarely two) hairs, joined together at their tips into a darkened knot; main axis of submerged leaf divided into two or three slightly reflexed main branches immediately at emergence from rhizome (proximal portion of submerged leaf appears sessile and curved); sporocarps pedunculate on branched axis, oldest on longest peduncles, with all sporocarps hanging at about same level, globose, not markedly apiculate.

  • Discussion

    Type. French Guiana. “In Territorio Caux,” Aublet s.n. (P?). Fig. 127J. Salvinia rotundifolia Willdenow, Sp. pl. ed. 4, 5: 537. 1810. Type. Brazil. Hoffmansegg s.n. (B-Willd. 20250). See Morton (Contr. U.S. Natl. Herb. 38: 5. 1967) for discussion of the type specimen and previous misinterpretation. Salvinia hispida Kunth in Humboldt, Bonpland & Kunth, Nov. gen. sp. 1:44 (folio ed. 36). 1816. Type. Cuba. Humboldt & Bonpland s.n. (B?). The Salvinia auriculata complex, with the hairs joined at their tips, consists of at least four species, three of which have not been reported north of South America (de la Sota, 1976; Mitchell, 1972; Mitchell & Thomas, 1972). The species in the complex other than S. auriculata itself all have stalked main axes to the submerged leaves that are not curved, and apiculate sporocarps on a long, many-branched fertile axis. In Chiapas A. R. Smith (1981) reported this species from the Gulf Coastal Plain, whereas S. minima occurs on the Pacific Coastal Plain. Part of the Conzatti et al. 3260 (US) specimen does not seem to be S. auriculata; it is smaller, oblong, and lacks a fusion papilla, the hairs arising directly from the lamina. Further study is needed to determine whether this is a growth form, a distinct taxon, or a hybrid of S. auriculata and S. minima.

  • Distribution

    Floating in still or stagnant fresh water or margins of slowly flowing streams on Pacific side of state; Jamiltepec, Pochutla; 0-50 m. Mexico (Mich, Gro, Tam, Ver, Oax, Chis, Tab); Guat to Pan; Gr Antill, Trin; Ven & Sur, to Braz & Arg.

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