Species

Asplenium mossambicense Schelpe

Photo: P. Ballings
Zimbabwe

Synonyms
Common name
Description	Rhizome erect, c.5 mm diameter; rhizome scales dark brown, lanceolate, entire, up to 4 mm long. Fronds tufted, proliferous at the base of the terminal pinea, fertile fronds 1/3 longer than sterile fronds. Stipe up to 23 cm (42.5 cm), stipe and rhachis with a few dark brown scales. Lamina 15 cm × 9 cm (sterile), 25 cm × 12 cm (fertile), pinnate. Pinnae glabrous with a few minute scales along the costa, up to 8 pairs, oblong-elliptic, margin crenate, base asymmetrical. Sori linear, set at 45° to the costa; indusium entire, membranous.
Notes	Rare fern, endemic to the sub region. Confused with A. christii; A. mossambicense has weakly dimorphic fronds and pinnae that are less widely spaced distally. Note: Roux (2009) also records this species for Kenya, Beentje (2008, F.T.E.A.) notes that A. mossambicense Schelpe is only known from Zimbabwe and Mozambique. I follow F.T.E.A. and have removed Kenya from the distribution in Africa.
Derivation	mossambicense: of Mozambique; type specimen was found on Mount Gorongosa in Mozambique.
Habitat	Deeply shaded moist evergreen forest.
Distribution worldwide	See African distribution.
Distribution in Africa	Mozambique , Zimbabwe .
Growth form	Lithophytic, terrestrial.
Literature	Beentje, H.J. (2008) Aspleniaceae.Flora of Tropical East Africa, Page 24. Note: A. mossambicense Schelpe is only known from Zimbabwe and Mozambique. Burrows, J.E. (1990) Southern African Ferns and Fern Allies. Frandsen, Sandton. Pages 218 - 220. (Includes a picture). Jacobsen, W.B.G. (1983) The Ferns and Fern Allies of Southern Africa. Butterworths, Durban and Pretoria. Pages 333 - 334. (Includes a picture). Roux, J.P. (2001) Conspectus of Southern African Pteridophyta.Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report, 13 Page 168. 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 91. Schelpe, E.A.C.L.E. (1970) Pteridophyta.Flora Zambesiaca, 0 Pages 172 - 173.