Species

Pleopeltis × simianum (Schelpe & N.C. Anthony) N.R.Crouch & Klopper ssp. simiana

Synonyms	Pleopeltis macrocarpa × Polypodium polypodioides subsp. ecklonii x Pleopodium simianum Schelpe & N.C. Anthony
Common name
Description	Rhizome widely creeping, 2-3 mm diameter; rhizome scales pale brown, narrowly ovate, up to 8 mm long. Fronds spaced apart. Stipe up to 10 cm long, glabrous with age. Lamina ± 140 × 20 mm, variously pinnatifid to unequally lobed; upper surface glabrous, undersurface set with ovate to circular, peltate scales with dark centre. Sori oval, placed in a single row on either side of the costae; exindusiate, without paraphyses; spores abortive.
Notes	A natural hybrid between Pleopeltis macrocarpa and P. polypodioides subsp. ecklonii.
Derivation	simiana: named after T.R. Sim (1858-1939), botanist & forester, author of The Ferns of South Africa.
Habitat	Moist coastal, riverine and montane forest where both parent Pleopeltis species grow.
Distribution worldwide	See African distribution.
Distribution in Africa	Kenya , Mozambique , South Africa , Uganda , Zimbabwe .
Growth form	Epiphytic, lithophytic.
Literature	Burrows, J.E. (1990) Southern African Ferns and Fern Allies. Frandsen, Sandton. Pages 194 - 195. As Pleopodium simianum (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 570 - 571. (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 163. As x Pleopodium simianum Roux, J.P. (2001) Conspectus of Southern African Pteridophyta.Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report, 13 Page 105. As x Pleopodium simianum Verdcourt, B. (2001) Polypodiaceae.Flora of Tropical East Africa, Page 29. Note of Pleopodium simianum only