Melpomene pilosissima (M.Martens & Galeotti) A.R.Sm. & R.C.Moran

  • Authority

    Mickel, John T. & Smith, Alan R. 2004. The pteridophytes of Mexico. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 88: 1-1054.

  • Family

    Polypodiaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Melpomene pilosissima (M.Martens & Galeotti) A.R.Sm. & R.C.Moran

  • Description

    Species Description - Rhizomes short-creeping or ascending, 1–2 mm diam.; rhizome scales blackish, 5–7 mm long, long-acuminate and often spreading at tips; fronds somewhat distant to clustered; stipes gray-brown to black, 2–9 cm long, 1/4–1/3 the frond length, with dense reddish setae 2–2.5 mm long, intermixed with pale, inconspicuous, multibranched hairs 0.3 mm long; blades elliptic, 7–15(–20) x 1–2(–3) cm, abruptly tapering proximally, gradually tapering distally; rachises with abundant reddish setae 1.5–2.5mm long on abaxial and adaxial sides, short pale hairs few and very inconspicuous; pinnae ca. 25–50 pairs, linear-oblong, 7–14 mm long, 3–7 times longer than wide, usually ascending (more so than M. xiphopteroides), obtuse to usually acute at tips; costae barely visible and blackish abaxially; indument abaxially on costae, laminae, and pinna margins of abundant, reddish setae 1–2 mm long, also with sparse short pale hairs; sori 4–7 pairs per pinna, sporangia mixed with setae.

  • Discussion

    Polypodium pilosissimum M. Martens & Galeotti, Me´m. Foug. Mexique 39, pl. 9, f. 2. 1842. Ctenopteris pilosissima (M. Martens & Galeotti) Copel., Philipp. J. Sci. 84: 390. 1955 [1956]. Grammitis pilosissima (M. Martens & Galeotti) C. V. Morton, Contr. U.S. Natl. Herb. 38: 114. 1967. Lectotype (chosen by Smith, 1981: 124). Mexico. Oaxaca: Tonaguia, Galeotti 6379 (BR!, photo US!; isolectotypes BR!, K!; frag. US!).

    Unverified, Doubtful, or Mistaken Reports. Jal (Wilbur 2000, MICH, cited by Va´squez G. et al., 1995, but not verified). Melpomene pilosissima is most often confused with M. xiphopteroides. The former differs especially by the acute, strongly ascending segments, more spreading rhizome scales, presence of setae even on sterile segments abaxially, and occurrence at higher elevations. Specimens of M. pilosissima from Guatemala, Costa Rica, and Panama, and most (but not all) specimens from South America lack setae along the segment margins, but are otherwise very similar. In this character, they approach closely M. zempoaltepetlensis (which see), but they seem to have thicker blade texture and more strongly setose stipes and blades than the latter. Further study is needed. Stevens 11521 (UC), cited as this species from Nicaragua (in Davidse et al., 1995), is M. xiphopteroides.

  • Distribution

    Epiphytic and terrestrial among rocks in cloud forests; (2000–)2700–4400 m. Mexico; Guat, Hond, CR, Pan; Col, Ven, Sur, Ec, Peru, Bol (Kessler 7284, UC), Braz.

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