Asplenium - Aspleniaceae

Asplenium flexuosum Schrad.

 

 

 

 

Synonyms

Asplenium discolor Pappe & Rawson
Asplenium gemmiferum Schrad. var. flexuosum (Schrad.) Sim
Asplenium lucidum Schltdl.
Asplenium gemmiferum Schrad. var. laciniatum Mett.

Common name

Description

Rhizome erect, c. 30 mm thick; scales dark brown, lanceolate, up to 8 mm long. Fronds with proliferating bud at the base of the apical segment, tufted, arching. Stipe up to 35 cm long, subglabrous with scattered hair-like scales, green when fresh strawcoloured when dry. Lamina 62 cm × 24 cm, narrowly elliptic to lanceolate in outline, 2-pinnate to 2-pinnatifid. Pinnae narrowly oblong-lanceolate, incised into spathulate to oblanceolate 2- to 6-fid lobes, more incised towards the pinnae base with the basal lobes completely free, glabrous and glossy green above, with some hair-like scales and pale green below. Sori linear, 5-10 mm long; indusium present.

Notes

Differs from similar species by more divided pinna lobes, larger size and proliferous fronds.

Derivation

flexuosum: zigzag, much bent; referring to the jagged apearance of the pinnae margins.

Habitat

Shaded forest floor in moist coastal or escarpment evergreen forest. Terrestrial or lithophyte.

Distribution worldwide

Distribution in Africa

South Africa, Zimbabwe.

Growth form

Lithophytic, terrestrial.

Literature

  • Burrows, J.E. (1990) Southern African Ferns and Fern Allies. Frandsen, Sandton. Pages 233 - 234. (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 624 - 625. (Includes a picture).
  • Jacobsen, W.B.G. (1983) The Ferns and Fern Allies of Southern Africa. Butterworths, Durban and Pretoria. Page 336. (Includes a picture).
  • Roux, J.P. (2001) Conspectus of Southern African Pteridophyta.Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report, 13 Page 164.
  • 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 85.

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