Asplenium - Aspleniaceae

Asplenium adiantum-nigrum L. var. solidum (Kunze) J.P. Roux

Photo: JE. Burrows
South Africa

 

 

 

 

Synonyms

Asplenium solidum Kunze
Tarachia solida (Kunze) C.Presl.

Common name

Description

Rhizome shortly creeping, ± 4 mm diameter; rhizome scales dark brown, lanceolate in outline, with a latticed apearance, up to 2mm long. Fronds closely spaced, thinly coraceous, not proliferous. Stipe 5–20 cm long, black, shiny, hairless, the subterranean stipe bases are prominently swollen, succulent and pale green. Lamina narrowly ovate to lanceolate in outline, 12–32 x 5-12.5 cm, 3 to 4-pinnatifid. Pinnae triangular to broadly ovate in outline, angled forward at 45°, pinna lobes progressively more dissected towards the base, upper surface hairless, lower surface subglabrous, margin unevenly dentate with 3-6 large teeth on the ultimate lobes. Rhachis black near the base, changing to pale straw coloured towards the apex, hairless. Sori set along the costae and costules, oval in outline, up to 3 mm long; indusium entire.

Notes

Derivation

adiantum-nigrum: black adiantum, vaguely resembling some taxa of the genus Adiantum; solidum: solid, might be a reference to the stipe base that is swollen but without cavities.

Habitat

Coastal, under scrub on well-established sand-dunes or in rock crevices on stony outcrops or cliffs.

Distribution worldwide

Endemic to South Africa, where it occurs from the Western to the Eastern Cape.

Distribution in Africa

South Africa.

Growth form

Lithophytic, terrestrial.

Literature

  • Burrows, J.E. (1990) Southern African Ferns and Fern Allies. Frandsen, Sandton. Page 244. (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 644 - 645. (Includes a picture).
  • Jacobsen, W.B.G. (1983) The Ferns and Fern Allies of Southern Africa. Butterworths, Durban and Pretoria. Pages 363 - 364. (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 76.

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