Polybotrya polybotryoides (Baker) Christ

  • Authority

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

  • Family

    Dryopteridaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Polybotrya polybotryoides (Baker) Christ

  • Description

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    Species Description - Rhizomes densely clothed with orange to castaneous, subulate scales 10–15 x 0.5–1 mm, margins denticulate towards scale tips; sterile fronds to ca. 1.3 m long, with stipes 1/2 the blade length, scaly at stipe bases; sterile blades pinnate (to bipinnate in Costa Rica), 70–100 cm long, apices pinnatifid; pinnae 10–25 x 2–6 cm, lanceolate, bases inequilateral, apices cuneate to obtuse, glabrous on both surfaces, margins serrate to crenate or shallowly lobed; veins pinnately branched with arcuate veins, branches anastomosing at acute angles; laminae glabrous abaxially and in grooves adaxially; fertile blades bipinnate, pinnules 1–2 cm x 2–3 mm; 2n=82 (CR).

  • Discussion

    Acrostichum polybotryoides Baker, J. Bot. 19: 207. 1881. Type. Colombia. [Norte de Santander:] Ocan˜a, Kalbreyer 1254 (K; photo GH, MO). Polybotrya aucuparia Christ, Bull. Herb. Boissier, se´r. 2, 6: 166. 1906. Type. Costa Rica. [Cartago:] Valle del Ri´o Navarro, Werckle´ s.n. [Herb. Inst. Costar. 16770] (P; photos F, NY, UC!).

    This species is distinguished from P. caudata by the less dissected, usually 1-pinnate sterile blades, and the anastomosing veins; also, the blades are glabrous or nearly so abaxially. Some forms of this species, especially in Costa Rica and Panama, have the sterile blades fully 2-pinnate. Mexican forms seem to be strictly 1-pinnate.

  • Distribution

    Hemiepiphytic in wet forests; 200–1300 m. Mexico; Guat, Bel, Hond, CR, Pan; Col, Ec, Peru.

    Mexico North America| Peru South America| Amazonas Ecuador South America| Colombia South America| Panama Central America| Costa Rica South America| Honduras Central America| Belize Central America| Guatemala Central America|