Adiantum hispidulum

Stems short-creeping; scales dark reddish-brown, concolored, margins entire. Leaves arching, clustered, 20–37 cm. Petiole 1–2 mm diam., adaxially hispid, not glaucous. Blade lanceolate, pinnate or occasionally pseudopedate, 1-pinnate distally, 12–18 × 6.5–8 cm; proximal pinnae 1–4-pinnate; indument of light-colored, sparse, multicellular hairs; rachis straight, densely hispid, not glaucous. Segment stalks 0.2–0.3 mm, dark color generally entering into segment base. Ultimate segments oblong to long-triangular, ca. 2 times as long as broad, progressively reduced toward apex of penultimate divisions; basiscopic margin oblique; acroscopic margin of fertile segments crenulate, sterile segments sharply denticulate; apex obtuse or acute. False indusia ± round, 0.6–0.9 mm diam., covered with reddish-brown, stiff, needlelike bristles. Spores mostly 40–60 µm diam.

Phenology: Sporulating summer–fall.
Habitat: Banks and old walls
Elevation: 0–100 m

Introduced; Conn., Ga., Asia in s India, e Africa, Pacific Islands

Discussion

Adiantum hispidulum is represented by sporadic escapes from cultivation in the flora, possibly naturalized locally. It also has been reported from Florida and Louisiana.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa