Thelypteris nicaraguensis (E.Fourn.) C.V.Morton

  • Authority

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

  • Family

    Thelypteridaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Thelypteris nicaraguensis (E.Fourn.) C.V.Morton

  • Description

    Species Description - Rhizomes short-creeping to suberect; fronds monomorphic or slightly dimorphic, (35-)50-100(-130) cm; stipes tan to brownish, to 80 cm x 3-5 mm; blades dark green, chartaceous, 30-50 cm long, with 3-8(-10) pairs of lateral pinnae plus a conform terminal pinna; pinnae 11-20(-24) x 2.5-4 cm, proximal pair stalked to 2 mm, incised ca. 0.5 the way to the costae or less; segments falcate, rounded to subacute, entire, 6-8mmwide, basal ones of proximal pinnae gradually reduced; veins (8-)12-18 pairs, proximal 2-3 pairs from adjacent segments connivent to sinuses; indument abaxially of mostly acicular hairs 0.1 mm long on rachises and costae, or costae glabrescent, tissue between veins glabrous on both sides; sori inframedial, exindusiate; sporangia glabrous or minutely setulose.

  • Discussion

    Phegopteris nicaraguensis E. Fourn., Bull. Soc. Bot. France 19: 252. 1872. Dryopteris nicaraguensis (E. Fourn.) C. Chr., Index Filic. 279. 1905. Type. Nicaragua. Chontales, Le´vy 460bis (P, frag. BM, photo UC!; isotypes BM, P!).

    Thelypteris nicaraguensis is related to T. imbricata, T. minor, and allies, but differs from these by its more shallowly incised pinnae (incised about halfway to the costae or less) and fewer lateral pinna pairs. Breedlove 22378 is atypical in its rather densely acicular-hairy stipe bases and rhizome scales (densely stellatehairy in specimens from Nicaragua and further south). Marti´nez S. 29321 is atypical in having the basal pair of veins united at an obtuse angle with an excurrent vein to the sinus; perhaps it represents a hybrid with T. tetragona.

  • Distribution

    Along stream banks in montane rain forests, pineoak Liquidambar forests; 150–1300 m. Mexico; Hond, Nic, CR, Pan.

    Panama Central America| Costa Rica South America| Nicaragua Central America| Honduras Central America| México Mexico North America|