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Psilotum nudum
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Photo: Petra Ballings
SRGH
Photo: Petra Ballings
SRGH
Photo: Petra Ballings
SRGH
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Species details: Click on each item to see an explanation of that item (Note: opens a new window)
| Synonyms: |
Bernhardia capensis Müll.Berol. Lycopodium nudum L. Psilotum triquetrum Sw. |
| Common names: | |
| Frequency: | Apparently rarely recorded, perhaps overlooked because of its inconspicuous appearance |
| Status: | Native |
| Description: |
Rhizome c.1.5 mm in diameter, shortly creeping, rootless, covered with very small scales. Aerial stems 15-44 cm long, unbranched below, repeatedly dichotomously branched above with 20-36 branches, markedly angled and triangular in cross-section, glabrous. Leaves few, widely spaced, lanceolate to ovate in outline, scale-like, pointed, up to 2 mm long. Sporangia c.2.5 mm in diameter, united in 3-locular capsule-like synangium, placed in the axis of a small bract, scattered along the apical region of the stem, orange brown when mature, dehiscing longitudinally to release the spores. |
| Notes: | Very distinctive, can not be mistaken for any other pteridophyte in Africa. |
| Derivation of specific name: | nudum: naked; also referring to the almost leafless character of this species. |
| Habitat: | Cracks in sandstone cliffs, usually along a river or as an epiphyte on trees in evergreen forest at low altitude. |
| Altitude range: (metres) | 360 - 1900 m |
| Flowering time: | |
| Worldwide distribution: | Widely distributed in Africa and on the African islands. Also known from Asia, Polynesia, the Americas, Spain and Mascarene islands. |
| Zimbabwe distribution: | N,W,C,E,S |
| Growth form: | |
| Endemic status: | |
| Red data list status: | |
| Insects (whose larvae eat this species): | |
| Spot characters: | Display spot characters for this species |
| Content last updated: | Saturday 14 April 2007 |
| Literature: |
Burrows, J.E. (1990). Southern African Ferns and Fern Allies. Frandsen, Sandton. Pages 10 - 11. (Includes a picture). Crouch, N.R., Klopper, R.R., Burrows, J.E. & Burrows, S.M. (2011). Ferns of Southern Africa, A comprehensive guide Struik Nature Pages 130 - 131. (Includes a picture). Jacobsen, W.B.G. (1983). The Ferns and Fern Allies of Southern Africa. Butterworths, Durban and Pretoria. Pages 130 - 131. (Includes a picture). Kornas, J. (1979). Distribution and ecology of the Pteridophytes in Zambia Polska Akademia Nauk Wydzial II Nauk Biologicznych Page 26. 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 Pages 16 - 17. Roux, J.P. (2009). Synopsis of the Lycopodiophyta and Pteridophyta of Africa, Madagascar and neighbouring islands Page 36. Schelpe, E.A.C.L.E. (1970). Pteridophyta FZ Page 15. (Includes a picture). |
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comments powered by DisqusOther sources of information about Psilotum nudum:
Flora of Mozambique: Psilotum nudumAfrican Plant Database: Psilotum nudum
Biodiversity Explorer (Biodiversity of southern Africa): Psilotum nudum
EOL (Encyclopedia of Life): Psilotum nudum
ePIC (electronic Plant Information Center): Psilotum nudum
Flora Zambesiaca web site: Psilotum nudum
Google: Web - Images - Scholar
GRIN (Germplasm Resources Information Network) taxonomy for plants report for Psilotum nudum
IPNI (International Plant Names Index): Psilotum nudum
JSTOR Plant Science: Psilotum nudum
Kew Herbarium catalogue: Psilotum nudum
Tropicos: Psilotum nudum
West African Plants database: Psilotum nudum
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