Cheilanthes - Sinopteridaceae

Cheilanthes dinteri Brause

 

 

 

 

Synonyms

Common name

Description

Rhizome shortly creeping, 3-4 mm in diameter; rhizome scales elongate-triangular in outline, apex hairpointed, margin entire, up to 3 mm long, dark brown, concolorous. Fronds monomorphic, tufted, erect. Stipe stout, up to 16 cm long, dark brown, grooved, with scattered dark brown, hair-like scales, more so towards the rhizome. Lamina 2- or 3-pinnatifid, lanceolate to ovate-deltate in outline, basal pinnae not basiscopically developed, 8-24 x 2.3-8 cm; pinnae c. 13 pairs, petiolate, 5 x 2.5 cm; pinnules 3-5 pairs, triangular in outline, 1-1.4 x 0.7-1.2 cm; ultimate segments narrowly oblong to linear in outline, margin serrate or incised, glabrous on both surfaces; veins free, obscure; rhachis and costae dark to reddish brown, glabrous. Sori marginal, small; indusium discontinuous, entire to crenate, up to 1 mm wide.

Notes

Derivation

dinteri: this fern was first found in 1907 by M.K. Dinter (1868-1945), German botanist.

Habitat

Base of boulders and rocks in open deciduous woodland or in semidesert in full sun, growing on a wide variety of mineral substrates derived from granite, dolerite, sandstone or schist.

Distribution worldwide

See African distribution.

Distribution in Africa

Angola, Namibia.

Growth form

Lithophytic, terrestrial.

Literature

  • Burrows, J.E. (1990) Southern African Ferns and Fern Allies. Frandsen, Sandton. Page 154. (Includes a picture).
  • Crouch, N.R., Klopper, R.R., Burrows, J.E. & Burrows, S.M. (2011) Ferns of Southern Africa, A comprehensive guide. Struik Nature. Pages 406 - 407. (Includes a picture).
  • Jacobsen, W.B.G. (1983) The Ferns and Fern Allies of Southern Africa. Butterworths, Durban and Pretoria. Pages 266 - 267. (Includes a picture).
  • 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 181.
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