Pecluma alfredii (Rosenst.) M.G.Price

  • Authority

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

  • Family

    Polypodiaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Pecluma alfredii (Rosenst.) M.G.Price

  • Description

    Species Description - Rhizomes short-creeping, 3–7 mm diam.; rhizome scales light to dark reddish brown, 1–2 x 0.8–1 mm, ovate, rounded to acute at tips, entire; fronds 10–60 cm long, clumped; stipes dark reddish brown to brown, 1/6–2/5 the frond length, with acicular hairs 0.1–0.2(–0.5) mm; blades pectinate, narrowly ovate, 4–6.5 cm wide; rachises abaxially with many tan, bullate or cordate, entire, acute scales ca. 2 mm long; pinnae linear, 2–5 cm x 1.5–3 mm, greatly reduced and deflexed at blade bases, bases of pinnae equilateral or more surcurrent, apices obtuse to acute, costae of proximal pinnae decurrent onto the rachises; veins free, 1-forked; indument adaxially of scattered hairs 0.1–0.3 mm on costae, laminar surfaces glabrous, abaxially the costal surfaces between veins with appressed hairs 0.1–0.2 mm, margins with occasional hairs 0.3–0.5 mm, or marginal hairs absent; sori round, medial, with clavate paraphyses 0.5–0.8 mm; sporangia glabrous; spores reniform, 64 per sporangium.

  • Discussion

    Type. Costa Rica. Turrialba, Brade & Brade 697 (S; isotype US!).

    Polypodium tablazianum Rosenst., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. 22: 14. 1925. Lectotype (chosen by Lellinger, Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash. 89: 727. 1977). Costa Rica. Cartago: Carpintera, Brade & Brade 149 (S; isolectotypes UC!, US!).

    Pecluma alfredii is unique in having the combination reddish brown, ovate rhizome scales, and ovate-cordate, often bullate scales along the rachises abaxially. There is great variability in stipe and rachis color (reddish brown to nearly blackish), hair density and location (pinna margins glabrous or hairy), and size of pinnae. Var. alfredii is restricted to Costa Rica and is distinguished by the pinnae completely lacking hairs along the margins and the glabrescent rachises abaxially. In Chiapas, this is known by the Tzotzil names “ne kotz’ tzib” and “xelajtik tzib,” concoctions of which are used to treat snake bite and infections of the urinary tract.

  • Distribution

    Epiphytic or epipetric in humid oak woods and on dry exposed banks; 600–3050 m. Mexico; Guat, Hond, Salv, Nic, CR.

    Mexico North America| Costa Rica South America| Nicaragua Central America| El Salvador Central America| Honduras Central America| Guatemala Central America|