Melpomene melanosticta (Kunze) A.R.Sm. & R.C.Moran
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Authority
Mickel, John T. & Smith, Alan R. 2004. The pteridophytes of Mexico. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 88: 1-1054.
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Family
Polypodiaceae
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Scientific Name
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Description
Species Description - Rhizomes short-creeping to usually suberect, compact, 2–3 mm diam.; rhizome scales dark brown to blackish, 2–3 mm, appressed, acute at tips; fronds clumped; stipes dark brown, 0–1 cm long, 1/20–1/10 the frond length, lacking setae on both sides, hairy abaxially, the hairs pale reddish, 0.1–0.2 mm long, generally branched, lax; blades 10–20 x 0.6–1(–1.5) cm, linear-elliptic, gradually tapering at both ends; rachises lacking setae on both sides, sparsely hairy to glabrescent abaxially, the hairs 0.1–0.2 mm long, generally branched, pale reddish, lax; pinnae 22–50 pairs, oblong, to 7 mm long, 1.5–2.5 times as long as wide, mostly spreading, rounded at tips; costae not visible abaxially; indument absent abaxially; sori mostly 2–4 pairs per segment, lacking setae among the sporangia.
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Discussion
Polypodium melanostictum Kunze ex Klotzsch, Linnaea 9: 44. 1834. Ctenopteris melanosticta (Kunze ex Klotzsch) Copel., Philipp. J. Sci. 84: 385. 1955 [1956]. Grammitis melanosticta (Kunze ex Klotzsch) F. Seym., Phytologia 31: 179. 1975. Type. Peru. Poeppig s.n. (LZ, destroyed).
This species most resembles M. moniliformis but is found at lower elevations, is always epiphytic (vs. usually terrestrial or epipetric), has suberect (vs. creeping) rhizomes, and has blades tapering gradually at the base, nearly or quite to the rhizomes. The blade texture of M. melanosticta is also less coriaceous.
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Distribution
Epiphytic in montane rain forests; 800–1000 m. Mexico; Guat, CR; Cuba, Hisp; Col, Ven, Ec, Peru, Braz, Bol.
Bolivia South America| Brazil South America| Peru South America| Ecuador South America| Venezuela South America| West Indies| Cuba South America| Costa Rica South America| Guatemala Central America| México Mexico North America|