Polypodiaceae

Lepisorus (J. Sm.) Ching

Photo: BT. Wursten
Zimbabwe

 

Description of the genus

Plants lithophytic or epiphytic. Rhizome creeping, laterally branched. Fronds simple, monomorphic, articulated at stipe base, spaced apart. Lamina entire; veins anastomosing, most areoles with included veinlets. Stipe short, distally narrowly winged. Sori round, on both sides of the costa, sometimes submarginal, on the distal part of the lamina, exindusiate. Soral paraphyses peltate, conspicuous in young sori.

 

Derivation of name:  lepis: scaly, referring to the large scales arising within or from the edge of the sorus.

Comment: This genus was previously included in Pleopeltis

Worldwide: c. 25 species, palaeotropical distribution

 

 

We have 2 taxa in the database for Lepisorus.

  • Lepisorus excavatus (Willd.) Ching
  • Lepisorus schraderi (Mett.) Ching
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    Literature

  • Crouch, N.R., Klopper, R.R., Burrows, J.E. & Burrows, S.M. (2011) Ferns of Southern Africa, A comprehensive guide. Struik Nature.
  • Roux, J.P. (2001) Conspectus of Southern African Pteridophyta.Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report, 13: 1-222.

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