Argyrochosma limitanea
Amer. Fern J. 77: 40. 1987.
Stem scales brown. Leaves 5–30 cm. Petiole reddish-brown to black, 0.75–2 mm diam. Blade lanceolate to deltate, 3–5-pinnate proximally, leathery, abaxially covered by dense white farina, adaxially glabrous or sparsely glandular; rachis rounded to slightly flattened adaxially. Pinna costae straight to slightly flexuous, branches not arising from prominent angles. Ultimate segments not articulate, dark color of stalks continuing into segment bases abaxially; segment margins recurved, often concealing sporangia; veins obscure adaxially. Sporangia submarginal, borne on distal 1/2 of secondary-veins, containing 32 spores.
Distribution
Ariz., Calif., N.Mex., Tex., Utah, Mexico
Discussion
Subspecies 2 (2 in the flora).
Populations of Argyrochosma limitanea represent two morphologically distinctive taxa treated here as subspecies. For the most part, these taxa have different geographic ranges, and genetic interaction between them is precluded because both are asexual triploids. Isozyme analyses indicate that the two subspecies have different polyploid origins, but evolutionary relationships (and proper taxonomic treatment) cannot be resolved until sexually reproducing (64-spored) progenitors are found.
Selected References
None.
Key
| 1 | Leaf blades broadly deltate-ovate, 4–5-pinnate, with proximal pinnae at least 1/2 as long as blades. | Argyrochosma limitanea subsp. limitanea |
| 1 | Leaf blades lanceolate to oblong, 3–4-pinnate, with proximal pinnae 1/4–1/3 as long as blades. | Argyrochosma limitanea subsp. mexicana |