Tectaria coriandrifolia

Stems decumbent, compact. Petiole tan to reddish brown, often shorter than to rarely equaling blade, pubescent on both surfaces, scaly; scales narrowly deltate or lanceolate, 2–5 × 0.1–0.2 mm. Blade lanceolate to oblong, 1-pinnate-pinnatifid, 5–12 × 2.5–10 cm. Rachis and costae pubescent abaxially. Pinnae 1–8 pairs, margins crenate to pinnatifid, 1.2–5 cm, base rounded, often with proliferous buds in axils. Areoles lacking included veinlets. Indusia round-reniform, attached at sinus. 2n = 80 (Jamaica).

Habitat: Sinkholes, rock, ledges, crevices
Elevation: 0 m

Fla., West Indies in Cuba, Jamaica.

Discussion

Tectaria coriandrifolia is known in North America only from southernmost Florida; it has not been seen there for several years and is perhaps extirpated. It hybridizes with Tectaria fimbriata to form T. × amesiana A. A. Eaton [Aspidium trifoliatum (Linnaeus) Swartz var. amesianum (A. A. Eaton) Clute], which may be distinguished by its misshapen spores, fewer pinnae pairs, and dense row of hairs on the adaxial surface of the petioles. The hybrid is known only from Florida.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa