Thelypteris reticulata

Stems short to long-creeping, 3–10 mm diam. Leaves monomorphic to somewhat dimorphic, evergreen, fertile leaves with longer petioles, to 2 m or more. Petiole tan, to ca. 1 m × 10 mm, at base with scales absent or ephemeral. Blade 50–120 cm, with apical pinna similar to lateral pinnae and 1/2 to nearly equaling longest lateral pinna; buds often present at base of proximal pinna. Pinnae to 20 pairs or more, widest at or near rounded or broadly cuneate base, 20–30 × 2–6 cm, margin entire to crenulate; main lateral-veins of fertile pinnae 2–4 per cm, with 12–20 rows of areoles between costa and margin, secondary-veins somewhat curved. Indument abaxially of mostly adpressed, curved hairs 0.2–0.3 mm on costae; blades glabrous adaxially. Sori oblong-arcuate, uniseriate between lateral-veins on crossveins; indusia lacking; sporangia glabrous. 2n = 144.

Habitat: Hammocks in subacid, swampy soil in full shade
Elevation: 0–50 m

Fla., s Mexico, West Indies in the Antilles, South America in Colombia, n Venezuela

Discussion

Thelypteris reticulata is very rare in the flora.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa