Phanerophlebia

C. Presl

Tent. Pterid. 84. 1836.

Common names: Mexican holly fern
Etymology: Greek phaneros, free, and phlebium, vein, for the nonanastomosing venation found in the type species, P. nobilis
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 2.

Plants terrestrial, less commonly on rock. Stems short-creeping to erect, stolons absent. Leaves monomorphic, evergreen. Petiole shorter than or ± equaling length of blade, base not swollen; vascular bundles more than 3, arranged in an arc, ± round in cross section. Blade ovate-lanceolate, 1-pinnate, with a ± similar apical pinna, papery. Pinnae not articulate to rachis, segment margins serrulate to spinulose; proximal pinnae largest or nearly so, short-petiolulate, ± equilateral or inequilateral with acroscopic lobe; costae adaxially grooved, grooves continuous from rachis to costae; indument of filiform scales on costae and veins abaxially, ± glabrous adaxially. Veins free [anastomosing], forked. Sori in 2 or more rows between midrib and margin, round; indusia persistent or caducous [absent]. Spores brown, with inflated folds or wings. x = 41.

Distribution

North America, Mexico, Central America, n South America, West Indies in Hispaniola.

Discussion

Phanerophlebia has sometimes been included in Cyrtomium, which it resembles superficially. As with that genus, Phanerophlebia might better be considered a subgenus of Polystichum, from which it is poorly differentiated morphologically. Elsewhere, some species have bicolored stem scales, netted venation, and/or lack indusia.

Species 8 (2 in the flora).

Key

1 Pinnae, at least some on each plant, with basal, acroscopic lobe; indusia flat to concave centrally, not umbonate, shriveled at maturity. Phanerophlebia auriculata
1 Pinnae lacking basal, acroscopic lobe; indusia with raised, central umbo, not shriveled at maturity. Phanerophlebia umbonata
... more about "Phanerophlebia"
George Yatskievych +
C. Presl +
Mexican holly fern +
North America +, Mexico +, Central America +, n South America +  and West Indies in Hispaniola. +
Greek phaneros, free, and phlebium, vein, for the nonanastomosing venation found in the type species, P. nobilis +
Tent. Pterid. +
maxon1912a +  and underwood1899a +
Phanerophlebia +
Dryopteridaceae +