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Synonyms: |
Adiantum capillus-gorgonis Webb Adiantum caudatum sensu Sim Adiantum radicans Fée |
Common names: | |
Frequency: | |
Status: | Native |
Description: |
Rhizome short, erect, up to 10 mm in diameter; rhizome scales brown, c. 4 mm in length. Fronds tufted, membranous to firmly herbaceous, arching. Stipe up to 8 cm long, dark brown to black, shiny, with numerous reddish brown hairs and long, linear, brown scales. Lamina pinnate, linear-lanceolate in outline;10-40 × 2-4 cm, excluding a glabrous extension of the rhachis of varying length, which often ends in a proliferous bud or lamina with a terminal pinna. Rhachis and pinnae thinly set with pale hairs. Pinnae numerous (up to 40 pairs), persistent, subrectangular, shortly petiolate or sessile, alternate; 10-22 × 6-10 mm, reduced in size towards the base and apex, the midrib forms the lower margin, outer margin irregularly incised into lobes. Sori on the undersurface of deflexed, membranous, oblong to lunate, glabrous or thinly hairy indusial flaps. |
Notes: | Resembles A. lunulatum and A. mendoncae which have fewer (up to 15 pairs) and glabrous pinna, a wider lamina and a longer petiole. It also may be confused with Lindsaea odorata, an unrelated species, which has glabrous, non proliferous fronds, a creeping rhizome and smells of almonds when crushed. |
Derivation of specific name: | incisum: cut-in; referring to the strongly incised pinna margins. |
Habitat: | Terrestrial or lithophyte, on seasonally moist earthbanks, in rock crevices, at boulder bases in deciduous woodland or riverine forest at medium to low altitudes. |
Altitude range: | 400 - 1400 m |
Worldwide distribution: | Widespread in tropical Africa, also in South Africa, Namibia, Yemen and India. |
Mozambique distribution: | N,Z,T,MS |
Growth form(s): | Epiphyte, lithophyte, terrestrial. |
Endemic status: | |
Red data list status: | |
Insects associated with this species: | |
Spot characters: | Display spot characters for this species |
Content last updated: | Saturday 23 September 2017 |
Literature: |
Burrows, J.E. (1990). Southern African Ferns and Fern Allies. Frandsen, Sandton. Page 118. (Includes a picture). Burrows, J.E. & Burrows, S.M. (1993). An annotated check-list of the pteridophytes of Malawi Kirkia 14(1) Page 86. Chapano, C. & Mamuto, M. (2003). Plants of the Chimanimani District National Herbarium and Botanic Garden, Zimbabwe Page 3. Crouch, N.R., Klopper, R.R., Burrows, J.E. & Burrows, S.M. (2011). Ferns of Southern Africa, A comprehensive guide Struik Nature Pages 424 - 425. (Includes a picture). Da Silva, M.C., Izidine, S. & Amude, A.B. (2004). A preliminary checklist of the vascular plants of Mozambique. Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 30 Sabonet, Pretoria Page 13. Fisher E. & Lobin W. (2024). Checklist of Lycopodiopsida (clubmosses and quillworts) and Polypodiopsida (ferns) of Rwanda. Willdenowia 53(3) Page 165. Germishuizen, G. & Meyer, N.L. (eds) (2003). Plants of southern Africa: an annotated checklist. Strelitzia 14 Page 80. Jacobsen, W.B.G. (1983). The Ferns and Fern Allies of Southern Africa. Butterworths, Durban and Pretoria. Pages 223 - 224. (Includes a picture). Kornas, J. (1979). Distribution and ecology of the Pteridophytes in Zambia Polska Akademia Nauk Wydzial II Nauk Biologicznych Pages 63 - 64. Mapaura, A. & Timberlake, J. (eds) (2004). A checklist of Zimbabwean vascular plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 33 Sabonet, Pretoria and Harare Page 9. Roux, J.P. (2001). Conspectus of Southern African Pteridophyta. Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report 13 Page 75. (Includes a picture). Roux, J.P. (2009). Synopsis of the Lycopodiophyta and Pteridophyta of Africa, Madagascar and neighbouring islands Page 69. Schelpe, E.A.C.L.E. (1970). Pteridophyta Flora Zambesiaca Pages 108 - 109. (Includes a picture). Setshogo, M.P. (2005). Preliminary checklist of the plants of Botswana. Sabonet Report no. 37. Sabonet, Pretoria and Gaborone Page 15. |
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