Microgramma - Polypodiaceae

Microgramma mauritiana (Willd.) Tardieu

Photo: BT. Wursten
Dem. Republic of Congo

Photo: BT. Wursten
Mozambique

Photo: BT. Wursten
Dem. Republic of Congo

Photo: BT. Wursten
Dem. Republic of Congo

Photo: BT. Wursten
Dem. Republic of Congo

Photo: BT. Wursten
Dem. Republic of Congo

 

 

 

 

Synonyms

Microgramma lycopodioides (L.) Copel.
Polypodium mauritianum Willd.
Polypodium owariense Desv.
Polypodium mackenii Baker
Polypodium lycopodioides L. var. mackenii (Baker) Sim
Microgramma owariensis (Desv.) Alston

Common name

Description

Rhizome widely creeping, 3-8 mm in diameter, densely coated with pale grey to creamy brown scales; scales lanceolate, up to 7 mm long, margins entire. Fronds spaced 3-35 mm apart, sometimes slightly dimorphic with the fertile fronds longer and narrower than the sterile ones, glabrous, herbaceous to coriaceous. Stipe up to 2.2 cm long, glabrous. Lamina narrowly oblong to elliptic, margins entire, apex acute, tapering gradually towards the base and slightly decurrent on to the stipe, midrib apparent on both surfaces. Sori in a single row on each side of the midrib, extending from the apex to the base of the frond, round, 2-2.5 mm in diameter, without paraphyses, exindusiate.

Notes

Derivation

mauritiana: from Mauritius, where the type specimen of this species was collected.

Habitat

Epiphyte or lithophyte in coastal forest, low-altitude semi-deciduous forest or riverine forest.

Distribution worldwide

Tropical America, on the islands of Bioko, Sao Tomé, Principe and Annobon, Africa.

Distribution in Africa

Angola, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, Dem. Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea (incl. Bioko), Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania , Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Growth form

Epiphytic, lithophytic.

Literature

  • Burrows, J.E. (1990) Southern African Ferns and Fern Allies. Frandsen, Sandton. Pages 198 - 199. As Microgramma lycopodioides (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 572 - 573. (Includes a picture).
  • Jacobsen, W.B.G. (1983) The Ferns and Fern Allies of Southern Africa. Butterworths, Durban and Pretoria. Pages 311 - 312. As Microgramma lycopodioides (Includes a picture).
  • Kornas, J. (1979) Distribution and ecology of the Pteridophytes in Zambia. Polska Akademia Nauk Wydzial II Nauk Biologicznych. Pages 78 - 79. As Microgramma lycopodioides
  • Roux, J.P. (2009) Synopsis of the Lycopodiophyta and Pteridophyta of Africa, Madagascar and neighbouring islands. Strelitzia 23, South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria. Pages 159 - 160.
  • Roux, J.P. (2001) Conspectus of Southern African Pteridophyta.Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report, 13 Page 103. (Includes a picture).
  • Schelpe, E.A.C.L.E. (1970) Pteridophyta.Flora Zambesiaca, 0 Pages 155 - 156. As Microgramma lycopodioides (Includes a picture).
  • Tardieu-Blot, M.-L. (1964) Ptéridophytes vol.3.Flore du Cameroun, Pages 348 - 350. (Includes a picture).
  • Thardieu-Blot, M.L. (1964) Ptéridophytes vol.8.Flore du Gabon, Pages 206 - 208. (Includes a picture).
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