Woodwardia spinulosa M.Martens & Galeotti
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Authority
Mickel, John T. & Smith, Alan R. 2004. The pteridophytes of Mexico. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 88: 1-1054.
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Family
Blechnaceae
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Scientific Name
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Description
Species Description - Rhizomes suberect to erect, with scales concolorous, brownish, 15–30 x 3–5 mm; fronds arching and often drooping to suberect; stipes stramineous, (14–)20–50(–100) cm long, 1/2 the frond length, with scales similar to those of rhizome; blades pinnatepinnatifid, (18–)25–55(–100) cm long, 4–5 pairs of free pinnae below the pinnatifid apex, these with usually short-decurrent bases; rachises sparsely scaly and often glabrescent; pinnae 8–20 pairs, the largest (11–)20–35 x (3.5–)5–10 cm; pinna lobes 2–4.5 cm long, 1–1.5 cm wide, sometimes crenately lobed especially on the acroscopic side, margins spinulose; indument abaxially of sparse to often numerous, red-brown fibrillose or dissected scales 0.3–1 mm long on costules, veins, and leaf tissue, also of sparse to occasionally numerous, broadly ovate scales 1.5–3 x 0.8–1.5 mm, especially along costae, these often deciduous,glands absent; sori along only the costular areoles, deeply impressed, upper surface of lamina embossed; indusia thick, vaulted, entire to suberose; spores 64 per sporangium.
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Discussion
Type. Mexico. Veracruz: Galeotti 6255 (BR, not found). The only Galeotti specimens of this species at BR are five sheets of 6573 from Cerro San Marti´n, three from Veracruz, and one from Oaxaca (supposedly at 2000’ although we have not seen it below 6000’). The BR specimen of Galeotti 6255 is Cochlidium serrulatum, Veracruz, 8000’. Most likely the published collection number was in error and 6573 is the type number).
Unverified, Doubtful, or Mistaken Reports. Qro (Zamudio 108, IEB, cited by Di´az-Barriga & Palacios-Rios, 1992, but not verified; Diaz-Barriga & Carranza 7281, Rubio 1489, and Sevi´n 535, all QMEX, cited by Arregui´n et al., 2001, but not verified). Tam (reported by Rodri´guez-Lo´pez and Arregui´n-Sa´nchez, 1992, as W. fimbriata, but not verified; also reported by Sharp, 1954, from Rancho del Cielo; specimens so identified are probably W. semicordata, which see). Woodwardia spinulosa is variable in blade and pinna size and shape, as well as width and lobing of pinnules and density of indument abaxially on the blades. It is distinguished from W. fimbriata by having fibrillose and often dissected scales on the abaxial costules, veins, and lamina, by the absence of yellowish resinous glands abaxially, and by the distal pinnae with shortdecurrent pinna bases (as opposed to cordate bases in W. fimbriata). However, in the northwestern part of the range of W. spinulosa, near the small area of overlap with W. fimbriata, these differences are not clearcut. Some specimens of Woodwardia, particularly from Sonora (see citations under W. fimbriata) and Durango (e.g., Palmer 92, NY, UC), are difficult to place with confidence, suggesting that further study is warranted. See W. semicordata, for discussion of hybrids between W. martinezii and W. spinulosa.
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Distribution
Terrestrial, usually on steep banks or ravines near streams in montane rain forests, pine forests, pine-oak forests, montane cloud forests dominated by alder; 1300-3100 m. Mexico; Guat, Hond, Salv, Nic.
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