Asplenium - Aspleniaceae

Asplenium cancellatum Alston

Photo: P. Ballings
Rwanda

Photo: E. Fisher
Rwanda

Photo: P. Ballings
Rwanda

Photo: P. Ballings
Rwanda

 

 

 

 

Synonyms

Asplenium petiolatum Mett. ex Kuhn var. subaequilaterale Baker
Asplenium subaequilaterale (Baker) Hieron.
Asplenium subhemitomum Brause
Asplenium dimidiatum var. subaequilaterale Bak.

Common name

Description

Rhizome shortly creeping, c. 7mm; rhizome scales triangular-lanceolate in outline, 1.5 mm, pale. Fronds monomorphic, closely spaced, up to 1 m long, subcoriaceous. Stipe up to 50 cm long (8? cm protologe), grooved at apex, shiney, blackish. Lamina pinnate, oblong-lanceolate in outline; pinnae c. 6 pairs, subtrapezoidal in outline, apex tapering to a point, base wedge-shaped, margins irregularly toothed, 7.5 x 1.8 cm, greenish; costa apparent, prominent on the underside, sulcate upperside, distinct to the top of the pinna; lateral veins united or forked. Sori very thin; indusium entire, membranous.

Notes

Close to A. hemitomum but differs in having smaller, pale brown rhizome scales and a costa that is apparent on the underside of the pinnae.

Derivation

Habitat

Distribution worldwide

Africa, Madagascar.

Distribution in Africa

Cameroon, Dem. Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea (incl. Bioko), Gabon, Ghana, Liberia, Rwanda.

Growth form

Epiphytic.

Literature

  • Alston, A.H.G. (1956) New African ferns.Boletim da Sociedade Broteriana, Sér. 2, 30 Page 8.
  • Fisher E. & Lobin W. (2024) Checklist of Lycopodiopsida (clubmosses and quillworts) and Polypodiopsida (ferns) of Rwanda.Willdenowia, 53 Page 156.
  • Fisher, E. & Lobin, W. (2023) Synoptic Revision of Aspleniaceae (Asplenium, Hymenasplenium) of Rwanda.Phytotaxa, 608 (1) Pages 10 - 12. (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 81.
  • Tardieu-Blot, M.-L. (1964) Ptéridophytes vol.3.Flore du Cameroun, Pages 206 - 207. (Includes a picture).
  • Thardieu-Blot, M.L. (1964) Ptéridophytes vol.8.Flore du Gabon, Page 136. (Includes a picture).

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