Blechnum divergens (Kunze) Mett.

  • Authority

    Mickel, John T. & Smith, Alan R. 2004. The pteridophytes of Mexico. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 88: 1-1054.

  • Family

    Blechnaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Blechnum divergens (Kunze) Mett.

  • Description

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    Species Description - Rhizomes erect, usually trunk-like, to 40 cm tall; rhizome scales brown to golden brown, concolorous, lanceolate, 7–15 x 1.5–2 mm, margins entire to ciliate; fronds strongly dimorphic, clumped; stipes 20–30 cm x 4–6 mm, dark red-brown to atropurpureous, papillate, with matted, twisted, appressed hairs; sterile blades 50–80 x (16–)24–30 cm, pinnatifid, abruptly reduced at bases to vestigial lobes, apices tapering gradually, proximal pinnae contiguous to slightly distant; rachises tan to sometimes atropurpureous in the proximal portion; sterile pinnae adnate, falcate, 10–16 x 1.5–2 cm, apices acute, margins entire, slightly revolute, abaxially with narrow twisted tan scales and hair-like scales 1–2 mm long on costae and veins, adaxially glabrous; veins simple or 1-forked, vein endings enlarged and readily visible on adaxial surfaces; fertile pinnae 8–16 cm x 1.5–4 mm; indusia 0.5 mm wide, erose.

  • Discussion

    Lomaria divergens Kunze, Linnaea 9: 57. 1834. Type. Peru. Pampayaco, Poeppig s.n. [Diar. 1141] (LZ, destroyed). Lomaria exaltata Fe´e, Me´m. Foug. 11: 10, t. 3. 1866. Struthiopteris exaltata (Fe´e) Broadh., Bull. Torrey Bot. Club 39: 264. 1912. Type. Guadeloupe. 1861, L’Herminier s.n. (P; isotypes BM, NY!, P!-3 sheets).

    This is likely to be confused only with B. lehmannii and B. wardiae in Mexico. Blechnum divergens has broader blades and longer pinnae, matted or scattered hair-like scales on the stipes and costae, and blade bases that are abruptly reduced (with vestigial pinnae below that only 1–2 mm long). Blechnum lehmannii has proximal pinnae that taper gradually to semicircular lobes at the blade bases, smaller, entire scales, and narrower blades. See B. wardiae for comparison with that species. Moran (in Davidse et al., 1995) mentioned a hybrid between B. divergens and B. wardiae from Costa Rica. Blechnum jamaicensis (Broadh.) C. Chr., from the Greater Antilles, has more gradually tapering pinnae proximally, generally larger fronds, and distant median and proximal pinnae.

  • Distribution

    Terrestrial in wet forests at middle elevations; 1150–2300 m. Mexico; Guat, Hond, CR, Pan; Gr & L Ant; Col, Ven, Ec, Peru, Braz, Bol.

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