Christella - Thelypteridaceae

Christella guineensis (H.Christ) Holttum

 

 

 

 

Synonyms

Dryopteris guineensis H.Christ
Thelypteris guineensis (H.Christ) Alston

Common name

Description

Rhizome short-creeping or ± erect. Fronds monomorphic, densely tufted. Stipe 25–56 cm long, glabrous or with minute capitate hairs. Lamina deeply 2-pinnatifid, narrowly oblong in outline, with 1–4 pairs of very reduced pinnae, 30–45 x 15–20 cm; pinnae narrowly oblong in outline, apex tapering to a point, up to 12 x 1.5 cm; lobes narrowly oblong to lanceolate in outline, straight or somewhat falcate, apex rounded to pointed, 6–10 x 1.5–2.2 mm, with dense small yellowish glands beneath; veins not anastomosing; sinus membranes thickened. Sori with small indusia with very few to many small yellowish glands.

Notes

Derivation

guineensis: from Guinea, where this fern was first discovered.

Habitat

River banks.

Distribution worldwide

See African distribution.

Distribution in Africa

Angola, Cameroon, Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Uganda.

Growth form

Terrestrial.

Literature

  • 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 203.
  • Verdcourt, B (2006) Thelypteridaceae.Flora of Tropical East Africa, Pages 13 - 17.
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