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Synonyms: |
Hypolepis pteridioides Hook. Pteris brevisora Baker Pteris pteridioides (Hook.) Ballard |
Common names: | |
Frequency: | |
Status: | Native |
Description: |
Rhizome erect, up to 10 mm in diameter; rhizome scales lanceolate to narrowly ovate, brown, up to 5 mm long, entire. Fronds tufted, arching, herbaceous. Stipe up to 75 cm long, strawcoloured to pale brown, glabrous with a few scales near the base. Lamina up to 1 × 0.9 m, deltoid to pentagonal in outline with 5 main radiating axes, 2-to 3-pinnatifid, basal pair of pinnae basiscopically developed. Ultimate lobes pinnatifid, oblong, apices rounded, margins lobed in the upper half; veins free, no veins anastomosing below the sinus; glabrous on both surfaces, with spines present on the costae and costules on the uppersurface only. Rhachis glabrous, smooth. Sori linear, continuous, marginal; indusia entire, continuous. |
Notes: | The pentagonal lamina with 5 radiating axes makes this species easy to recognize. |
Derivation of specific name: | |
Habitat: | Deeply shaded forest floor. |
Altitude range: (metres) | 1060 - 1180 m |
Worldwide distribution: | Widespread in tropical Africa, Madagascar. |
Zimbabwe distribution: | E |
Growth form(s): | Terrestrial. |
Endemic status: | |
Red data list status: | |
Insects associated with this species: | |
Spot characters: | Display spot characters for this species |
Images last updated: | Friday 7 December 2012 |
Literature: |
Burrows, J.E. (1990). Southern African Ferns and Fern Allies. Frandsen, Sandton. Page 163. as Pteris pteridioides (Includes a picture). Burrows, J.E. & Burrows, S.M. (1993). An annotated check-list of the pteridophytes of Malawi Kirkia 14(1) Page 87. Chapano, C. & Mamuto, M. (2003). Plants of the Chimanimani District National Herbarium and Botanic Garden, Zimbabwe Page 46. As Pteris pteridioides 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 15. Dowsett-Lemaire, F. (1989). The flora and phytogeography of the evergreen forests of Malawi. I: Afromontane and mid-altitude forests; Bull. Jard. Bot. Nat. Belg. 59(1/2) Page 25. As Pteris pteridioides Jacobsen, W.B.G. (1983). The Ferns and Fern Allies of Southern Africa. Butterworths, Durban and Pretoria. Pages 237 - 239. as Pteris pteridiodes (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 9. Roux, J.P. (2001). Conspectus of Southern African Pteridophyta. Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report 13 Page 79. Roux, J.P. (2009). Synopsis of the Lycopodiophyta and Pteridophyta of Africa, Madagascar and neighbouring islands Pages 174 - 175. Schelpe, E.A.C.L.E. (1970). Pteridophyta Flora Zambesiaca Page 117. as Pteris pteridioides |
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