Polypodium unitum L.
Nephrodium leuconeuron Fée
Thelypteris unita (L.) Morton
Thelypteris leuconeuron (Fée) Schelpe
Nephrodium haenkeanum C.Presl.
Dryopteris unita (L.) Kuntze

Rhizome long-creeping, 5–7 mm in diameter; rhizome scales lanceolate-triangular in outline, apex acute, 2–3 mm long, pale brown, glabrous. Fronds monomorphic, widely spaced, 1.2 m tall, texture thick. Stipe 10–58 cm long. Lamina bipinnatifid with 6–12 lower pairs of pinnae reduced, oblong to ovate in outline, 30–60 x 20–25 cm; pinnae the smallest about 1 cm long and numerous aerophores beneath; largest pinnae linear-lanceolate in outline, 10–17 x 0.8–1.5 cm, apex narrowly attenuate, hairy beneath on costa and lower surface with many rather large glossy brownish glands on and between veins and on costules, pinnae lobed for about 1/3 into ovate-oblong lobes, 2–4 x 2.5 mm; veins 8–10 pairs, 11/2 pairs anastomosing with next 2–4 pairs passing to sides of the sinus membrane. Sori ± 7 on each side of costule; indusia ± glabrous or with few hairs and glands; sporangia with glands.

Rain forest, damp ground and roadside banks

See African distribution

Tanzania .

Terrestrial.