Asplenium varians Wall. ex Hook. & Grev.
subsp. fimbriatum (Kunze) Schelpe

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Photo: Petra Ballings
SRGH

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Synonyms:	Asplenium fimbriatum Kunze Asplenium semivarians Viane & Reichstein Asplenium varians sensu Sim
Common names:
Frequency:
Status:	Native
Description:	Rhizome erect, up to 9 mm thick; scales dark brown, up to 3 mm long, margins entire. Fronds not proliferous, tufted. Stipe up to 13 cm, set with a few scattered hair-like scales especially towards the base, matt brown. Lamina 5-23 cm × 1.5-5 cm, 2-pinnatifid to 2-pinnate, ovate-lanceolate in outline, lower 1-3 pairs of pinnae somewhat reduced, not decrescent. Pinnae venation pinnate, pinnatifid with the basal acroscopic lobe often free, outer margins sharply toothed, glabrous above, subglabrous below. Rhachis glabrous, narrowly winged. Sori 2-5 per lobe, linear to oval, 2-4mm long, indusium erose.
Notes:	Confusion with A. lobatum possible. A. varians has a less finely divided lamina with serrate-dentate lobe margins.
Derivation of specific name:	varians: referring to the variability of the species fimbriatum: "the margin has long slender processes" referring to the elongated serrations of the pinnules.
Habitat:	On moss covered boulders in evergreen or semi-deciduous forest. Terrestrial or lithophyte.
Altitude range: (metres)	1000 - 1800 m
Worldwide distribution:	DRC, Kenya, Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda
Zimbabwe distribution:	E,S
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:	Friday 18 November 2011
Literature:	Burrows, J.E. (1990). Southern African Ferns and Fern Allies. Frandsen, Sandton. Page 242. (Includes a picture). Chapano, C. & Mamuto, M. (2003). Plants of the Chimanimani District National Herbarium and Botanic Garden, Zimbabwe Page 8. Crouch, N.R., Klopper, R.R., Burrows, J.E. & Burrows, S.M. (2011). Ferns of Southern Africa, A comprehensive guide Struik Nature Pages 640 - 641. (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 9. Jacobsen, W.B.G. (1983). The Ferns and Fern Allies of Southern Africa. Butterworths, Durban and Pretoria. Pages 350 - 351. (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 5. Roux, J.P. (2001). Conspectus of Southern African Pteridophyta. Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report 13 Pages 172 - 173. Roux, J.P. (2009). Synopsis of the Lycopodiophyta and Pteridophyta of Africa, Madagascar and neighbouring islands Page 100. Schelpe, E.A.C.L.E. (1970). Pteridophyta Flora Zambesiaca Page 177. (Includes a picture).

Other sources of information about Asplenium varians subsp. fimbriatum:

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Flora of Mozambique: Asplenium varians subsp. fimbriatum

External websites:

African Plants: A Photo Guide (Senckenberg): Asplenium varians
BHL (Biodiversity Heritage Library): Asplenium varians
EOL (Encyclopedia of Life): Asplenium varians
GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility): Asplenium varians
Google: Web - Images - Scholar
iNaturalist: Asplenium varians
IPNI (International Plant Names Index): Asplenium varians
JSTOR Plant Science: Asplenium varians
Mansfeld World Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Crops: Asplenium varians
Plants of the World Online: Asplenium varians
Tropicos: Asplenium varians
Wikipedia: Asplenium varians