Thelypteris hispidula var. versicolor

(R. P. St. John) Lellinger

Amer. Fern J. 71: 94. 1981.

Common names: Variable maiden fern St. John's shield fern
Basionym: Thelypteris versicolor (R. P. St. John) Broun in Small, Ferns S.E. States, 250, plate. 1938
Synonyms: Dryopteris versicolor E. P. St. John Thelypteris macilenta (Fée) Schelpe Thelypteris quadrangularis var. versicolor (R. P. St. John) A. R. Smith
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 2.

Stems short-creeping to ascending at apex, 3–5 mm diam. Leaves monomorphic, evergreen, closely placed, (20–)40–95 cm. Petiole straw-colored, (5–)10–40 cm × 1.5–3 mm, at base with brown, lanceolate, hairy scales. Blade 14–55 cm, proximal 0–2(–4) pairs of pinnae slightly to greatly reduced (lowest pinnae to 1/3 length of longest), blade gradually tapered to pinnatifid apex. Pinnae 4–14 × 0.8–2 cm, incised 3/4–4/5 of width; segments spreading or somewhat oblique, rounded at tip, basal acroscopic segment of proximal pinnae sometimes auriculate and crenate; proximal pair of veins from adjacent segments united just below sinus or approaching each other and turning abruptly toward sinus, or connivent at sinus, excurrent vein, if any, 1 mm or less. Indument on both surfaces of densely set hairs 0.2–0.8 mm on costae, veins, and often blade tissue, also often of yellowish, stalked glands 0.1 mm. Sori round, medial to supramedial; indusia hairy; sporangial stalks with inconspicuous stalked, pear-shaped glands. 2n = 72.


Habitat: Woodlands and limestone sinks, especially in seepage areas and along streams
Elevation: 0–100 m

Distribution

V2 824-distribution-map.gif

Ala., Fla., Ga., La., Miss., S.C., Tex., West Indies in Cuba.

Discussion

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.
Alan R. Smith +
(R. P. St. John) Lellinger +
Thelypteris versicolor +
Variable maiden fern +  and St. John's shield fern +
Ala. +, Fla. +, Ga. +, La. +, Miss. +, S.C. +, Tex. +  and West Indies in Cuba. +
0–100 m +
Woodlands and limestone sinks, especially in seepage areas and along streams +
Amer. Fern J. +
Dryopteris versicolor +, Thelypteris macilenta +  and Thelypteris quadrangularis var. versicolor +
Thelypteris hispidula var. versicolor +
Thelypteris hispidula +
variety +