Polypodium dissimile L.

  • Authority

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

  • Family

    Polypodiaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Polypodium dissimile L.

  • Description

    Species Description - Rhizomes creeping, 6–14 mm diam.; rhizome scales clathrate, 7–12 mm long, long-attenuate; fronds 20–100 cm long, distant; stipes ca. 1/4 the frond length, stramineous, with abundant short white hairs 0.3–0.5 mm long; blades 1-pinnate, narrowly oblong, 6.5–22 cm wide, apices pinnatifid, margins entire; pinnae (12–) 30–36 pairs, linear-deltate, falcate, acuminate, broadly adnate, generally not decurrent or surcurrent, proximal pinnae constricted basiscopically; laminae on both sides evenly and densely pubescent with short white hairs 0.5–0.8 mm long, costae and rachises with longer dense hairs 1 mm long, margins slightly undulate; veins netted with 3–4 rows of areoles between costae and margins; sori round, in (2–)3(–4) rows between costae and margins; sporangia glabrous; 2n =74 (Jam).

  • Discussion

    Type. Jamaica. Browne s.n. (LINN 1251.24). Lellinger (Amer. Fern J. 67: 100. 1977, op. cit. 70: 30. 1980) recently discussed the earlier misapplication of this name.

    Polypodium chnoodes Spreng., Neue Entd. Pflanzenk. 3: 6. 1822. Goniophlebium chnoodes (Spreng.) Fe´e, Me´m. Foug. 5: 255. 1852. Type. Martinique. Kohaut s.n. (Sieber exsicc.) (LZ destroyed).

    Polypodium dissimile is distinguished by its clathrate rhizome scales, densely hairy blades, and broadly adnate pinnae.

  • Distribution

    Epiphytic in wet montane forests; 350–950 m. Mexico; Guat, Bel, Hond, Nic, CR, Pan; Gr & L Ant; Col, Ven, Trin, Ec.

    Amazonas Ecuador South America| Trinidad and Tobago South America| Venezuela South America| West Indies| Panama Central America| Nicaragua Central America| Honduras Central America| Belize Central America| Guatemala Central America| México Mexico North America|