Thelypteris grandis var. pallescens (C.Chr.) A.R.Sm.

  • 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 grandis var. pallescens (C.Chr.) A.R.Sm.

  • Description

    Species Description - Rhizome long-creeping, to 1 cm diam., stipe bases often 4-8 cm apart; stipe stramineous, to 1.3 m long, 0.8-1.2 cm diam.; rachis short-pubescent to glabrescent, sometimes with a few minute scales; lamina to 1.3 m long and 90 cm wide, tapering evenly toward the pinnatifid apex, or apical portion sometimes subabruptly reduced; largest pinnae mostly (15-)20-45 cm long and 2.0-3.5(-4.8) cm wide, lowermost stalked 1-3 mm, incised mostly 0.7-0.9 of the way to costa; lower pinnae usually the longest or nearly so, with 2-4 basiscopic segments often reduced; segments oblique, subfalcate; veins simple, 1424 pairs per segment, basal 1-2(-3) pairs from adjacent segments connivent at sinus; scales few to numerous on costae below, these mostly 1.0 mm long or less, castaneous, setulose, 2-4 cells wide at base; costae, costules and infrequently lamina below pubescent, hairs mostly 0.3 mm long or less; costules, veins, and lamina glabrous above; indusia short-pubescent.

  • Discussion

    Dryopteris oligophylla Maxon var. pallescens Christensen, Kongel. Danske Vidensk. Selsk. Skr., Naturvi-densk. Afd. VII, 10: 188. 1913. Thelypteris invisa (Swartz) Proctor var. pallescens (Christensen) Morton, Contr. U.S. Natl. Herb. 38: 62. 1967. Lectotype (chosen by Morton, op. cit.). Ecuador. Manabi, El Recreo, Eggers 15037 (US!). Complete synonymy in A. R. Smith (1971). This variety is rare in Mexico and was collected at higher elevation than any other Thelypteris in Oaxaca. It is also the largest Mexican species, with pinnae about 30 cm long and 3 cm wide. Other varieties occur in the West Indies and South America (A. R. Smith, 1971). Of the Mexican species, it is most closely related and similar to T. albicaulis, differing from that by the larger size, more deeply incised pinnae, supra-medial to submarginal sori, and pubescent indusia and costae below.

  • Distribution

    Along creek, wooded ravine; Mixe; ca. 3050 m. Mexico (Jal, Gro?, Oax); Guat to Pan; WI; Ven and Col to Bol & s Braz.

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