Adiantum capillus-veneris L.

  • Authority

    Mickel, John T. & Beitel, Joseph M. 1988. Pteridophyte Flora of Oaxaca, Mexico. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 46: 1-580.

  • Family

    Pteridaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Adiantum capillus-veneris L.

  • Description

    Species Description - Rhizome short-creeping, 2-3 mm diam.; rhizome scales light brown, linear-lanceolate, entire, 2 mm long, 0.1-0.3 mm wide; fronds arching or pendent, clumped, 20-70 cm long, stipe ca. ½ the frond length, atropurpureous, glabrous; blade ovate to ovate-lanceolate, ca. 8-22 cm wide, 23 times pinnate, tapering to apex; pinnae 3-6 pairs, alternate, stalked; segments obovate, oblong or rhombic, 5-30 mm long, cuneate at base, not articulate, margin lobed or incised, upper and lower surfaces glabrous; sterile margin denticulate, veins ending in the teeth; sori one per lobe; indusia oblong to lunate, whitened, 1-3 mm long; spores tan.

  • Discussion

    Type. France. Magnol (LINN 1252.9!). Adiantum schajfneri Fournier, Bull. Soc. Bot. France 27: 328. 1880. Type. Mexico. “In montibus ca. San Luis Potosí,” Schaffner 64 (P!, frag. NY!, photos BM!, US!). Of the Adiantum species with blades gradually reduced to the apex, very few have the veins ending in teeth. Adiantum capillus-veneris is the most conspicuous in this respect with its strongly denticulate margins. Adiantum andícola is sparsely toothed and differs in its dark rhizome scales. Adiantum deflectens is less divided and has a rooting blade apex.

  • Distribution

    Terrestrial on river banks and wooded stream banks; Cuicatlán, Etla, Huajuapan, Putla, Sola de Vega, Tlacolula; 1300-1900 m. Mexico (BC, Son, Chih, Coah, NL, Tam, SLP, Dgo, Zac, Jal, Mich, Qro, Gto, Mex, Mor, Tlax, Ver, Oax, Chis); se US; Guat to Pan; WI, Trin; Ven, Peru; Old World warm regions.

    Mexico North America| Guatemala Central America| Panama Central America| United States of America North America| West Indies| Trinidad and Tobago South America| Venezuela South America| Peru South America|