Onychium - Pteridaceae

Onychium divaricatum (Poir.) Alston

 

 

 

 

Synonyms

Trichomanes divaricatum Poir.
Allosorus melanolepis Decne.
Cryptogramma melanolepis (Decne.) Prantl
Onychium melanolepis (Decne.) Kunze
Pteris melanolepis (Decne.) Ettingsh.

Common name

Description

Rhizomes creeping, up to c 20 cm high; rhizome-scales linear in outline, entirely black or with a pale margin. Fronds dimorphic, tufted. Stipe (4--)5-15 (-18) cm long, yellow-green or straw-coloured, with a few scattered scales in the lowermost part. Lamina somewhat irregularly 3-pinnate, deltoid to ovate in outline, (7-)8-18(-20) x 4-12(-13) cm, green, hairless; sterile fronds with linear to narrowly ovate or wedge-shaped pinnules, 3.5-7 x 2.5-5 mm, divided into 2-3(-5) narrowly elliptic lobes; fertile fronds with narrowly oblong to lanceolate pinnules, 1.5-12(-15) x 1-1.25 mm, margin entire, apex pointed. Sori covering the underside of the fertile pinnules, almost completely hidden by the pseudoindusium.

Notes

The sterile fronds of this species look a lot like parsley leaves.

Derivation

Habitat

In evergreen or acacia bushland, shade, dry, under overhanging rocks or rock crevices, associated with limestone, gypsum or granite.

Distribution worldwide

Africa, Iran, Pakistan, N India, Socotra, Sudan, Yemen.

Distribution in Africa

Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somalia, Sudan and South Sudan.

Growth form

Terrestrial.

Literature

  • Hedberg, I; Friis, Ib & Persson, E (2009) Lycopodiaceae to Pinaceae.Flora of Ethiopia and Eritrea, vol.1 Pages 67 - 68. (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 178.
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