Polystichum munitum (Kaulf.) C.Presl

  • Authority

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

  • Family

    Dryopteridaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Polystichum munitum (Kaulf.) C.Presl

  • Description

    Species Description - Caudices ca. 3 cm diam.; fronds mostly 60–90 cm long; stipes to ca. 30 cm long, 3–4 mm diam., ca. 1/3–1/2 the blade length; stipe bases and also distal part of stipes with numerous concolorous, brown to red-brown, ovate-lanceolate scales 10–20 x 2– 5 mm, scales entire to sparingly denticulate or rarely ciliate along margins; blades monomorphic, chartaceous, to ca. 60 x 15 cm, broadest at the bases, attenuate at the pinnatifid apices; rachises lacking buds, densely scaly with ovate-lanceolate to narrowly lanceolate, denticulate scales mostly 3–7 x 0.4–0.6 mm; pinnae undivided, very gradually shortened distally, to ca. 50 pairs, mostly 6–10 x 0.8–1 cm (excluding basal auricle), lanceate with a pronounced acroscopic, deltate auricle 3–5 mm long, otherwise serrate-spinulose along both margins, basiscopic bases rounded to cuneate, tips acute and spinulose; indument abaxially along costae and veins of numerous lanceolate scales with contorted bases; sori indusiate, confluent or discrete at maturity, indusia tan to brown with darker brown centers, ca. 1 mm diam., subpersistent; 2n=82 (USA).

  • Discussion

    Aspidium munitum Kaulf., Enum. Filic. 236. 1824. Type. U.S.A. California: Vicinity of the Presidio, San Francisco, 1816, Chamisso s.n. (LE?; isotype B). Polystichum munitum (Kaulf.) C. Presl subsp. solitarium Maxon, Fern Bull. 11: 39. 1903. Polystichum solitarium (Maxon) Underw. ex Maxon, Contr. U.S. Natl. Herb. 10: 493. 1908. Type. Mexico. Guadalupe Island: Anthony s.n. (GH!; isotypes DS, NY, US).

    This differs from typical P. munitum from western North America in the very densely scaly rachis and narrow pinnae, prompting Maxon to regard it as a species in 1908. However, similar specimens can be found from southern California and the Channel Islands, especially Santa Cruz Island. See P. acrostichoides for differences with that species, the only other similar one in Mexico.

  • Distribution

    Terrestrial in wooded areas; low elevations. Canada, w USA (Alaska to s Calif, east to Mont and n Idaho, disjunct in S Dak); Mexico; naturalized in Europe.

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