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Synonyms: |
Drymoglossum acrostichoides (Hook. & Grev.) T. Moore Elaphoglossum petiolatum var. rupestris sensu Sim Elaphoglossum preussii Hieron. Vittaria acrostichoides Hook. & Grev. |
Common names: | |
Frequency: | |
Status: | |
Description: |
Depending on exposure and habitat this species may be very variable in size and shape. Rhizome widely creeping, 5-8 mm in diameter; rhizome scales pale to dark brown, deltate-ovate to lanceolate, margin entire or with filiform outgrows. Fronds simple, closely space apart, erect or arching, herbaceous to coriaceous, weakly to strongly dimorphic. Sterile fronds: stipe up to 15 cm long, brown to stramineous when dry, grooved ventrally, articulated near the base, glabrous to lightly set with entire, pale brown scales; stipe of sterile fronds on average half as long as that of fertile fronds. Sterile lamina obovate to elliptic to lanceolate in outline, apex rounded, base tapering, 3-35 × 1-3.6 cm, dark green and glabrous above, paler and with a few dot-like scales below, margin entire to wavy. Fertile fronds: same shape and length as sterile fronds but with a longer stipe and a smaller lamina. Sporangia covering the undersurface of the lamina except for the midrib. |
Notes: | |
Derivation of specific name: | acrostichoides: similar to Acrostichum, a fern belonging to the Parkeriaceae; members of this family are found in aquatic or swampy habitats. |
Habitat: | Variable species occuring in a wide range of habitats: shade in forest, crevices in rocky outcrops in high-altitude grassland, shaded cliff faces near waterfalls, moss-covered earth banks along streams and in montane scrub. |
Altitude range: (metres) | Up to 2400 m |
Worldwide distribution: | South Africa into Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi and most of tropical Africa, also Madagascar. |
Zimbabwe distribution: | E |
Growth form(s): | Epiphyte, lithophyte. |
Endemic status: | |
Red data list status: | |
Insects associated with this species: | |
Spot characters: | Display spot characters for this species |
Images last updated: | Sunday 27 May 2012 |
Literature: |
Burrows, J.E. (1990). Southern African Ferns and Fern Allies. Frandsen, Sandton. Pages 280 - 281. (Includes a picture). Burrows, J.E. & Burrows, S.M. (1993). An annotated check-list of the pteridophytes of Malawi Kirkia 14(1) Page 97. Burrows, J.E. & Willis, C.K. (eds) (2005). Plants of the Nyika Plateau Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 31 SABONET, Pretoria Page 34. Chapano, C. & Mamuto, M. (2003). Plants of the Chimanimani District National Herbarium and Botanic Garden, Zimbabwe Page 23. Crouch, N.R., Klopper, R.R., Burrows, J.E. & Burrows, S.M. (2011). Ferns of Southern Africa, A comprehensive guide Struik Nature Pages 498 - 499. (Includes a picture). Da Silva, M.C., Izidine, S. & Amude, A.B. (2004). A preliminary checklist of the vascular plants of Mozambique. Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 30 Sabonet, Pretoria Page 11. Jacobsen, W.B.G. (1983). The Ferns and Fern Allies of Southern Africa. Butterworths, Durban and Pretoria. Pages 413 - 416. (Includes a picture). Mapaura, A. & Timberlake, J. (eds) (2004). A checklist of Zimbabwean vascular plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 33 Sabonet, Pretoria and Harare Page 7. Roux, J.P. (2001). Conspectus of Southern African Pteridophyta. Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report 13 Page 148. Roux, J.P. (2009). Synopsis of the Lycopodiophyta and Pteridophyta of Africa, Madagascar and neighbouring islands Page 125. Schelpe, E.A.C.L.E. (1970). Pteridophyta Flora Zambesiaca Page 210. Wursten, B., Timberlake, J. & Darbyshire, I. (2017). The Chimanimani Mountains: an updated checklist. Kirkia 19(1) Page 78. |
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