Thelypteris deflexa (C.Presl) R.M.Tryon

  • Authority

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

  • Family

    Thelypteridaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Thelypteris deflexa (C.Presl) R.M.Tryon

  • Description

    Species Description - Rhizome erect or suberect, caudex ca. 1-1.5 cm thick; fronds (15-)30-60(-120) cm long, with 2-4(-6) pairs of reduced basal pinnae; stipe stramineous with a darkened base, sparsely scaly at base (scales tan, ovate, ca. 3 mm long, glabrous), otherwise glabrous, 5-12 cm long, 1-2 mm wide; rachis glabrous below; pinnae horizontal or somewhat deflexed, opposite or subopposite, mostly 2-7(-9) cm long, 0.7-1.4(-1.8) cm wide (widest at base), incised to within 1 (-1.5) mm of costae; segments slightly oblique, rounded at apex, ca. 2-4 mm wide; veins 4-6(-8) pairs per segment; costae, veins, and leaf tissue below glabrous or sparsely hairy on costae, hairs 0.2-0.4 mm long, glabrous above except along costal groove; leaf tissue thin, herbaceous; sori medial, exindusiate; n = 58.

  • Discussion

    Nephrodium deflexum Presl, Reliq. haenk. 1: 36, t. 5, f. 2. 1825. Dryopteris lindigii Christensen, Index filic. 275. 1905, non D. deflexa (Kaulfuss) Christensen, 1905. Thelypteris lindigii (Christensen) Alston, J. Wash. Acad. Sci. 48: 233. 1958. Type. Peru. Haenke s.n. (PR?). Complete synonymy cited in A. R. Smith (1983). Thelypteris deflexa differs by the combination of exindusiate sori, nearly or quite glabrous costae and rachis below, and few pairs of reduced basal pinnae.

  • Distribution

    In wet oak and pine-oak woods and along trails, roadside embankments; Centro, Cuicatlán, Ixtlán, Teotitlán, Villa Alta; 13002700 m. Mexico (Gro, Oax, Chis); Guat to Pan; Ven & Col, s to Peru.

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