Asplenium resiliens Kunze

  • Authority

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

  • Family

    Aspleniaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Asplenium resiliens Kunze

  • Description

    Species Description - Rhizome erect; rhizome scales bicolorous, center occluded, black, margins clathrate, linear-lanceolate with long capillary apices, 4-5 mm long, 0.3-0.5 mm wide; fronds clumped; stipe 2-3 cm long, black to dark brown, lustrous, slender, not grooved, ridges (wings) quite thin and subhyaline, scales scattered, 1-1.5 mm long, hairlike, clathrate; blade 9-20 cm long, 10-20 mm wide, once-pinnate, linear-lanceolate, reduced to base with pinnae deflexed, apex pinnatifid, non-proliferous; rachis black or dark brown, lustrous, wings 0.1-0.3 mm wide; pinnae 20-40 pairs, oblong, (4-) 10-20 mm long, (2-)4-5 mm wide, subentire, crenate, articulate, rachis color not extending onto pinna stalk, obtuse, somewhat auriculate, chartaceous to firm, often with revolute margin, sparse clavate hairs on lower surface, 0.1 mm long; veins once-forked, obscure, hydathodes lacking; sori (1-)2-5 near margin on both sides of midvein; indusia 0.8-1 mm long, 0.3-0.5 mm wide, erose.

  • Discussion

    Asplenium parvulum Martens & Galeotti, Mém. foug. Mexique 60, t. 15, f. 3. 1842, nom. illeg., non Hooker, 1840. Type. Mexico. Oaxaca: Environs of Capulalpan and Hacienda del Carmen, Galeotti 6462 (BR!, photos BM, US!; isotypes BR!, photo US!, P!). Closely related to Asplenium monanthes, A. resiliens is distinguished among all the lustrous, dark-stiped Aspleniums (except A. heterochroum and A. palmeri) by the lack of conspicuous hydathodes (see under “Species to be looked for”). It is distinguishable from A. heterochroum by the thicker and more deflexed pinnae, forked fertile veins, and higher elevation (above 1400 m) in A. resiliens. Asplenium palmeri has a proliferous apex, pinnae not deflexed and smaller, sharper marginal teeth with sinuses 0.3-0.5 mm deep, and shorter stipes.

  • Distribution

    Terrestrial or epipetric; Centro, Cuicatlán, Ixtlán, Mixe, Miahuatlán, Sola de Vega, Tlaxiaco; 1850-2100 m. Mexico (Son, Chih, Coah, NL, SLP, Tam, Jal, Hgo, Ver, Pue, Oax, Chis); se US; Guat; Jam, Hisp; Ven to Braz & n Arg.

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