Pleopeltis fallax (Schltdl. & Cham.) Mickel & Beitel
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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 long-creeping, 0.6–0.8 mm diam., green; rhizome scales monomorphic, black, clathrate, 0.5 mm long, ovate, thickwalled, with cluster of long brown hairs (ca. 1 mm long) at central point of attachment, rhizomes thus appearing densely pubescent; fronds monomorphic, distant; stipes ca. 1/3 the frond length, light brown with very narrow decurrent wing, with very sparse, minute, 0.3–0.5 mm, dark, appressed scales; blades oblong to narrowly deltate, 2–4 x 1–2 cm, pinnate-pinnatifid, pinnae 4–7 pairs, opposite to alternate, adaxially glabrous; midribs abaxially greenish to yellowish or light brown primarily at blade bases, costae not visible; veins not readily visible; abaxial blade scales sparse, reddish brown, lanceolate, serrulate, 0.5–0.8 mm long; sori round, at maturity exceeding the pinnae in width, peltate soral scales ovate-lanceolate, 0.1–0.3 mm long, centers dark brown-black, margins pale, fimbriate.
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Discussion
Polypodium fallax Schltdl. & Cham., Linnaea 5: 609. 1830. Type. Mexico. [Veracruz:] Misantla, Schiede & Deppe 758 (isotype B!-photo BM!, LE!). Polypodium tuerckheimii Christ, Bull. Herb. Boissier, se´r. 2, 5: 254. 1905. Type. Guatemala. Alta Verapaz: Cubilquitz, Tu¨rckheim s.n. (P, photo BM).
This species appears superficially like a Polypodium in its pinnate to pinnate-pinnatifid fronds, but we place it in Pleopeltis on the basis of its caducous peltate paraphyses. The species is distinct in its divided blades and thread-like rhizomes. Blatchley s.n. (US), from Mt. Orizaba (Veracruz), is a mixed collection of P. fallax and a possible hybrid involving that species. The putative hybrid has lobed blades, somewhat similar to those of P. Xsordidula (see under P. astrolepis), but the abaxial surfaces have more numerous, darker scales.