Gleichenia bifida (Willd.) Spreng.
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Authority
Acevedo-Rodríguez, Pedro. 2005. Vines and climbing plants of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Contr. U. S. Natl. Herb. 51: 1-483.
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Family
Gleicheniaceae
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Scientific Name
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Description
Description - Terrestrial fern. Rhizomes creeping, reddish brown, with attenuate, ciliate scales at the apex. Fronds clambering or decumbent, 1-2 m in length, forming a dense thicket difficult to penetrate; pinnae 3 times bifurcate, with small accessory pinnae and densely covered with scales in the bifurcation; rachis cylindrical, those of the young pinnae covered with pale brown ciliate scales; primary rachis with proleptic indeterminate growth, the secondary ones short; terminal pinnae 20-35 x 3-5 cm, the midvein densely covered with ferruginous scales on the lower surface; secondary pinnules oblong-deltoid, the apex obtuse; upper surface glabrous; lower surface densely covered with ferruginous scales. Sori ferruginous.
Phenology - Probably found in fertile condition throughout the year.
Conservation Status - Native, very common.