Cheilanthes - Sinopteridaceae

Cheilanthes ceterachoides A.W. Klopper & Klopper

 

 

 

 

Synonyms

Hemionitis ceterachoides (A.W.Klopper & Klopper) Christenh.

Common name

Description

Rhizome erect. Frond monomorphic, tufted, suberect to spreading, 5.5-10 cm tall. Stipe 1.5-3.5 cm long, dark brown, shiny, set with pale brown, lanceolate to narrowly ovate, long pointed scales of two sizes. Lamina 2-pinnatifid to 2-pinnate, basal pinnae slightly reduced, narrowly ovate in outline; pinnae narrowly ovate to narrowly oblong in outline, upper surface green, sparsely set with white hair-like scales, denser towards the costa and on the rhachis, undersurface thickly covered with pale brown, lanceolate to narrowly ovate, long pointed, overlapping scales; rhachis undersurface as for stipe. Sori marginal, discontinuous, obscured by the scales; exindusiate.

Notes

Derivation

ceterachoides: resembling Ceterach; this fern looks like Ceterach cordatum (now named Asplenium cordatum).

Habitat

Vertical dolomite cliffs, growing in cracks and fissures, c. 700m.

Distribution worldwide

See African distribution.

Distribution in Africa

South Africa.

Growth form

Lithophytic.

Literature

  • Crouch, N.R., Klopper, R.R., Burrows, J.E. & Burrows, S.M. (2011) Ferns of Southern Africa, A comprehensive guide. Struik Nature. Pages 334 - 335. (Includes a picture).
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