Asplenium praemorsum Sw.

  • Authority

    Mickel, John T. & Beitel, Joseph M. 1988. Pteridophyte Flora of Oaxaca, Mexico. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 46: 1-580.

  • Family

    Aspleniaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Asplenium praemorsum Sw.

  • Description

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    Species Description - Rhizome ascending; rhizome scales dark brown, clathrate, 4-5(-7) mm long; fronds clumped; stipe 11.5-14 cm long, black, with abundant black-brown scales of two types—lanceolate, 4-5 mm long, and hairlike, twisted scales 0.8-4 mm long; blade bipinnate, 12-45 cm long, 4-10 cm wide; rachis black abaxially, green adaxially, channelled, not alate, terete, with scattered 1-2 mm long, fimbriate scales; pinnae 7-13 pairs, acute, segments obtuse with fine teeth at apex, dense to scattered fine scales beneath, 2-3 mm long, 3-7 segments per basal pinna; veins less than 10° angle, 4-8 per segment; sori mostly one facing pair per pinna lobe; indusia entire, 3-8 mm long, 0.3-0.5 mm wide.

  • Discussion

    Type. Jamaica. Swartz s.n. (S). The conspicuously scaly stipe and rachis, bipinnate frond dissection and low angle of vein divergence distinguish A. praemorsum from other Mexican species of Asplenium. The close relationship of this taxon with the South African A. aethiopicum (Burman) Becherer (A. furcatum Thunberg, A. adiantoides Lamarck) needs further study (Morton & Lellinger, 1966; A. R. Smith, 1981). Morton and Lellinger (1966: 43) reported this species as always saxicolous in Venezuela, whereas A. R. Smith (1981) rpeorted it as always an epiphyte. In Oaxaca, it occurs in both habitats.

  • Distribution

    Epiphytic or epipetric in mesic to dry pine-oak woods; Centro, Cuicatlán, Ixtlán, Juquila, Pochutla, Sola de Vega, Teotitlán, Tlaxiaco, Villa Alta; 750-2350 m. Mexico (Tam, SLP, DF, Mor, Mich, Gro, Ver, Oax, Chis); Guat to Pan; Gr Antill; Col & Ven to s Braz & nw Arg.

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