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

  • Description

    Species Description - Rhizome erect; fronds (25-)60-140 cm long, 2-6 lowermost pinnae reduced, lowermost 1-2 cm long or more, often short-stalked (ca. 1 mm); stipe 15-25(-45) cm long; proliferous buds nearly always present in axils of distal pinnae; pinnae (4-)8-16 cm long, 1.0-2.5(-3.0) cm wide (widest at base), incised 0.5-0.8 their width; small aerophore at base of larger pinnae; segments oblong, 3-6 mm wide, rounded to truncate at apex, spreading or slightly oblique; veins 4-8(-12) pairs, lowermost meeting margin at or slightly above sinus; costae and veins below with scattered hamate hairs ca. 0.2 mm long; leaf tissue on both sides glabrous or glabrescent, or with appressed hairs 0.1-0.2 mm long above; sori oblong to linear (to ca. 2 mm), exindusiate; n = 29, 58.

  • Discussion

    Gymnogramma polypodioides Link, Hort. berol. 2: 50. 1833, non Sprengel, 1827. Grammitis linkiana Presl, Tent, pterid. 209. 1836. Dryopteris linkiana (Presl) Maxon, J. Wash. Acad. Sci. 14: 199. 1924. Type. Described from cultivated specimens (B). Complete synonymy cited in A. R. Smith (1983). Thelypteris linkiana is easily distinguished by the combination of exindusiate, elongate sori, glabrous sporangia, and presence of hamate hairs on the axes below. Nearly all collections seen from Oaxaca have one or more minute buds in the axil(s) of distal pinnae. The only other species of subg. Amauropelta in Oaxaca that has such buds is T. scalaris.

  • Distribution

    In wet montane forest, especially along streams; Cuicatlán, Ixtlán, Tuxtepec, Villa Alta; 500-1700 m. Mexico (Pue?, Ver, Oax, Chis); Guat to Pan; WI; Ven & Col, s to Bol.

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