Ophioglossum sandieae J.E. Burrows
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Common name |
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Description |
Rhizome spindle-shaped, 10-15 × 2-3 mm, leaf bases shortly persistent; roots descending, becoming horizontal, probably proliferous. Leaves 1 or in pairs, held at c.80° from the horizontal. Petiole 1.6-2.5 cm long, subterranean for about 30-40 % of its length. Sterile lamina 14-39 × 2.5-5 mm, narrowly elliptic in outline, apex pointed, base narrowly cuneate, fertile lamina flat to convex above, midgreen; fertile segment 5.5-9 cm long. Sporangia 11-19 pairs. |
Notes | O. lusoafricanum and O. caroticaule are, like O. sandieae, narrow leaved Ophioglossum species. The leaf width:length ratio differs in these ferns: O. caroticaule (1:7.2), O. lusoafricanum (1:7-9) and O. sandiae (1:4.5). |
Derivation | sandieae: named after Sandra M. Burrows, botanical illustrator who first saw this as a distinct species. |
Habitat | In Colophospermum mopane woodland in shallow sandy soils over rock or clay. |
Distribution worldwide | See African distribution. |
Distribution in Africa |
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Growth form |
Terrestrial. |
Literature |
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