Hypolepis - Dennstaedtiaceae

Hypolepis sparsisora (Schrad.) Kuhn

Photo: P. Ballings
Mozambique

Photo: JE. Burrows
Zimbabwe

Photo: P. Ballings
Zimbabwe

Photo: P. Ballings
Zimbabwe

Photo: P. Ballings
Zimbabwe

Photo: P. Ballings
Zimbabwe

Photo: P. Ballings
Zimbabwe

Photo: P. Ballings
Zimbabwe

 

 

 

 

Synonyms

Hypolepis anthriscifolia (Schltdl.) C. Presl
Cheilanthes sparsisora Schrad.
Cheilanthes aspera Kaulf.
Cheilanthes commutata Kunze
Hypolepis aspera (Kaulf.) C.Presl

Common name

Description

Rhizome widely creeping, subterranean, up to 5-9 mm in diameter; rhizome hairs pale brown, c. 1 mm long. Fronds widely spaced, finely divided, glabrous, erect. stipe up to 1 m long, glabrous at maturity, pale brown. Lamina 1 × 0.8 m, ovate in outline, 3- to 5-pinnatifid. Pinnae spreading horizontally, ovate-deltate in outline; ultimate pinnules oblong-lanceolate in outline, apex pointed, margins crenate to pinnatifid with bases joined to the costules. Rhachis pale-brown, glabrous. Sori small, 0.5-1 mm wide, oval, borne singly in the sinuses between the lobes; indusium subentire, elongate, semi-transparent.

Notes

Differs from other species by having a soft lamina texture and finely divided fronds (4- to 5-pinnatifid). Can be distinguished from Microlepia speluncae by having a glabrous lamina and pinna that are set at right angles to the rachis. Hypolepis sparsisora favours high-light conditions whereas Microlepia speluncea prefers shaded areas.

Derivation

sparsisora: scattered, sparse sori; one thought that this species had fewer sori than most others in the genus.

Habitat

In wet upland and evergreen forest that receives high rainfall and/or frequent mist, streamside and swampside forest and thicket, sometimes in gullies and in clearings with high light levels.

Distribution worldwide

Widespread in Africa and Madagascan region.

Distribution in Africa

Burundi, Cameroon, Dem. Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea (incl. Bioko), Ethiopia, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania , Uganda, Zimbabwe.

Growth form

Terrestrial.

Literature

  • Burrows, J.E. (1990) Southern African Ferns and Fern Allies. Frandsen, Sandton. Pages 106 - 108. (Includes a picture).
  • Crouch, N.R., Klopper, R.R., Burrows, J.E. & Burrows, S.M. (2011) Ferns of Southern Africa, A comprehensive guide. Struik Nature. Pages 286 - 287. (Includes a picture).
  • Jacobsen, W.B.G. (1983) The Ferns and Fern Allies of Southern Africa. Butterworths, Durban and Pretoria. Pages 211 - 212. (Includes a picture).
  • Roux, J.P. (2009) Synopsis of the Lycopodiophyta and Pteridophyta of Africa, Madagascar and neighbouring islands. Strelitzia 23, South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria. Page 110.
  • Roux, J.P. (2001) Conspectus of Southern African Pteridophyta.Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report, 13 Page 91. (Includes a picture).
  • Schelpe, E.A.C.L.E. (1970) Pteridophyta.Flora Zambesiaca, 0 Page 92. (Includes a picture).
  • Tardieu-Blot, M.-L. (1964) Ptéridophytes vol.3.Flore du Cameroun, Pages 95 - 96. (Includes a picture).
  • Verdcourt, B. (1999) Dennstaedtiaceae.Flora of Tropical East Africa, Pages 8 - 9. (Includes a picture).
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