Onychium divaricatum (Poir.) Alston
Synonyms |
Trichomanes divaricatum Poir. |
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Common name |
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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 |
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