Pteris vittata L.

  • Authority

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

  • Family

    Pteridaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Pteris vittata L.

  • Description

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    Species Description - Rhizomes ascending or erect; rhizome scales yellow, 5–7 mm long; fronds 25–80 cm, clumped; stipes 1/8–1/6 the frond length, ca. 10 cm long, densely scaly; blades pinnate, gradually reduced proximally, widest above the middle, (6–)12–25 cm wide; pinnae 11–22(–35) pairs, linear, the bases slightly auriculate both acroscopically and basiscopically, not articulate, sterile margins serrulate near apices, terminal pinnae strongly exaggerated; rachises and costae sparsely scaly, stramineous to yellow-brown, lacking awns adaxially, abaxial laminae glabrous between costae and margins; veins free; sori continuous along margins, interrupted at pinna apices; indusia entire; spores pale orange; 2n=116 (Sri Lanka, Ghana, Cameroon, Natal, Nepal, W. Himalaya, N. Guinea, Philippines).

  • Discussion

    Type. China. Osbeck s.n. (LINN-1246.3).

    Unverified, Doubtful, or Mistaken Reports. QR (Castillo R. & Tun G. 247, UADY, XAL, cited by Palacios-Rios, 2002c, but not verified). Yuc (Palacios-Rios et al. 3688, XAL, cited by Palacios-Rios, 2002b, but not verified). Pteris vittata is native to eastern Asia and is frequently introduced and naturalized in the NewWorld tropics and subtropics. It can be confused with P. longifolia, which see for distinguishing characters.

  • Distribution

    In calcareous soils; low elevations. Mexico; Hond, Salv, Pan; Gr & L Ant; Ven, Peru, Braz, Arg; Old World.

    México Mexico North America| Honduras Central America| El Salvador Central America| Panama Central America| West Indies| Venezuela South America| Peru South America| Brazil South America| Argentina South America| Venezuela South America| Peru South America| Brazil South America| Argentina South America|