Polypodiaceae

Microsorum Link

Photo: BT. Wursten
Zimbabwe

 

Description of the genus

Rhizome creeping; scales peltate. Fronds tufted or spaced, simple to deeply pinnatifid, margins entire, glabrous, coriaceous, subsessile or stipidate, usually articulated. Veins reticulate, all areoles with included veinlets, ending or not ending in hydathodes. Sori round, aligned in rows on each side of the midrib or irregurlarly distributed, superficial or sunken, with or without paraphyses.

 

Derivation of name:  mokros: small, soros: sori; referring to the relatively small sori of some species.

Worldwide: c. 50 species, tropical and temperate distribution.

 

 

We have 4 taxa in the database for Microsorum.

  • Microsorum pappei (Mett. ex Kuhn) Ching
  • Microsorum punctatum (L.) Copel.
  • Microsorum scandens (G. Forst.) Tindale
  • Microsorum scolopendria (Burm. f.) Copel.
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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.
  • Jacobsen, W.B.G. (1983) The Ferns and Fern Allies of Southern Africa. Butterworths, Durban and Pretoria.
  • Roux, J.P. (2001) Conspectus of Southern African Pteridophyta.Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report, 13: 1-222.
  • Schelpe, E.A.C.L.E. (1970) Pteridophyta.Flora Zambesiaca, 0: 1-254.

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