Terpsichore mollissima (Fée) 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 mollissima (Fée) A.R.Sm.

  • Description

    Species Description - Rhizomes suberect; rhizome scales absent, but with dense, tan to ferruginous setae 1–1.5 mm long; fronds indeterminate, less than 20(–30) cm long; stipes blackish, less than 1(–2) cm long and 0.3 mm diam., with dense, whitish setae 1–1.5 mm long; blades pinnatisect or fully pinnate proximally, linear, 9–15 x 0.8– 1.5 cm, gradually tapering proximally, lacking black clavate fungi; segments mostly 25–50 pairs, 4–7 x 1.5–3 mm, bases adnate, decurrent basiscopically, apices rounded to subacute; costae and veins obscure; hydathodes not producing lime-dots; indument of whitish to pale tan setae 0.8 mm long on rachises and laminar tissue, setae often reddish and 1–1.5 mm long at segment margins, often in clusters of 2–3; sori 1–4 pairs per segment, receptacles glabrous or setose; sporangia with setae 0.3–0.5 mm long; spores ellipsoid, monolete.

  • Discussion

    Polypodium mollissimum Fe´e, Me´m. Foug. 11: 47, t. 12, f. 2. 1866. Grammitis mollissima (Fe´e) Proctor, Rhodora 63: 35. 1951. Ctenopteris mollissima (Fe´e) Copel., Philipp. J. Sci. 84: 423. 1955 [1956]. Type. Guadeloupe. 1861, L’Herminier s.n. (presumably P; isotypes K!, MO, frags. NY!, US!).

    None of the Mexican and Central America specimens identified as T. mollissima in herbaria matches type material seen, and it may be that continental specimens are specifically different from those of the Lesser Antilles. For the present, we maintain usage of the name in its traditional application. Generally, T. mollissima occurs at lower elevations than allied species (T. cultrata, T. senilis). The lack of rhizome scales distinguishes T. mollissima from small forms of T. cultrata (q.v.). Terpsichore alfarii (Donn. Sm.) A. R. Sm. of southern Central America also lacks rhizome scales, but has a conspicuous hump along the acroscopic margin of each segment. Mickel 5561a (NY), cited by Mickel and Beitel (1988) as this species, is T. cultrata

  • Distribution

    Pendent epiphyte on trunks or epipetric on wet limestone rocks in wet montane forests, pine-oak-Liquidambar forests; 350–1350 m. Mexico; Guat, Bel, Hond, CR, Pan; Gr & L Ant; Col, Ven, Trin, Sur, Ec. Citation of this species for Nicaragua by Smith (1981) was based on the report by Gómez (1976); we are unable to verify the occurrence of this species there.

    Mexico North America| Belize Central America| Honduras Central America| Puntarenas Costa Rica Central America| West Indies| Colombia South America| Venezuela South America| Trinidad and Tobago South America| Suriname South America| Amazonas Ecuador South America|