Terpsichore cultrata (Willd.) A.R.Sm.

  • Authority

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

  • Family

    Polypodiaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Terpsichore cultrata (Willd.) A.R.Sm.

  • Description

    Species Description - Rhizomes very short-creeping to suberect; rhizome scales castaneous, lustrous, 1-1.5 mm long, setose; fronds indeterminate, mostly 12-40 cm long; stipes gray-brown to blackish, dull, 1-2 cm long, 0.5 mm diam., with dense hyaline to pale yellow setae 2-2.5 mm long; blades pinnatisect to fully pinnate, linear, 6-38 x 1.8-4 cm, gradually tapering to both ends, lacking black clavate fungi; segments 13-52 pairs, (8-)12-20 x 4-8 mm at base, broadly adnate but less so on acroscopic edge, rounded to subacute at apices; costae flexuous, brownish nearly to apices; veins not or faintly visible; hydathodes not producing lime-dots; indument of pale yellowish to slightly reddish setae 0.8-1.5 mm long on rachises, costae, veins, and laminar tissue, setae abaxially along rachis and on segment margins solitary, paired, or in fascicles of 3, also of scattered branched hairs to 0.3 mm; sori 3-7 pairs per pinna, receptacles glabrous; sporangia with several setae 0.3-0.6 mm long on capsules; spores ellipsoid or tetrahedraloblate, monolete or trilete.

  • Discussion

    Polypodium cultratum Willd., Sp. Pl., ed. 4, 5(1): 187. 1810. Ctenopteris cultrata (Willd.) Copel., Gen. Fil. 219. 1947. Grammitis cultrata (Willd.) Proctor, Rhodora 63: 35. 1961. Type. Presumably Jamaica. Swartz s.n. (S; isotype BWilld. 19674!, photo US!).

    The shorter stipes, longer sporangial setae, clustered setae on segment margins, and often pinnate blades pinnae distinguish T. cultrata from T. asplenifolia. The presence of rhizome scales and larger pinnae distinguish it from T. mollissima. Terpsichore senilis differs in having longer, more numerous sporangial setae and more distant, smaller pinnae that are contracted to half their width at their bases. A chromosome report, n=37, for Ctenopteris cultrata in Costa Rica was published by Evans (Caryologia 16: 671–677. 1963), but we identify the voucher (UC 58-234-1) as Terpsichore lanigera (Desv.) A. R. Sm., a close relative not known from Mexico. A second voucher (UC 58-233-1) cited for another count (also n=37) for Ctenopteris cultrata by Evans, supposedly in UC, has not been found.

  • Distribution

    Pendent epiphyte on trunks (often on tree ferns) or occasionally on wet rocks in wet montane forests, cloud forests; 1400-2800 m. Mexico; Guat, Hond, Salv, CR, Pan; Cuba, Jam, Hisp; Col, Ven, Ec, Peru, s Braz, Bol.

    Mexico North America| Guatemala Central America| Honduras Central America| El Salvador Central America| Costa Rica South America| Panama Central America| Cuba South America| Jamaica South America| Haiti South America| Dominican Republic South America| Colombia South America| Venezuela South America| Ecuador South America| Peru South America| Brazil South America| Bolivia South America|