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Synonyms: |
Cyclophorus schimperianus (Mett. ex Kuhn) C.Chr. Niphobolus schimperianus (Mett. ex Kuhn) Giesenh. Polypodium schimperianum Mett. ex Kuhn Pyrrosia mechowii (Brause & Hieron) Alston Pyrrosia schimperiana (Mett. ex Kuhn) Alston var. mechowii (Brause & Hieron) Schelpe |
Common names: | |
Frequency: | |
Status: | |
Description: |
Rhizome creeping, c. 2 mm in diameter; rhizome scales dull, brown to pale grey with dark central area, margins entire. Fronds simple, spaced apart, coriaceous, fleshy. Stipe up to 4 cm long, covered with white stellate hairs, becoming glabrous with age. Lamina up to 30 × 2.5 cm, linear to oblanceolate in outline, apex pointed to tapering, base tapering almost to the rhizome, margin entire. Lamina covered on both surfaces with greyish-white stellate hairs with short arms, upper surface becoming (sub)glabrous with age. Sori round, ± 1 mm confined to the upper half of the frond, usually visible through the hairs. |
Notes: | Can be confused with Pyrrosia rhodesiana which has fronds that are densely covered with more brown hairs with long, thin arms. |
Derivation of specific name: | schimperiana: although several other persons named Schimper are known in botanical history most species and genera are likely named after Georg Heinrich Wilhelm Schimper (1804-1878) who collected mainly in Ethiopia. |
Habitat: | Epiphyte or lithophyte in seasonally dry, deciduous woodland areas, in riverine forests and kloof forests. |
Altitude range: (metres) | 400 - 1650 m |
Worldwide distribution: | Widespread throughout tropical Africa northwards to the Sudan and Ethiopia and westwards to Nigeria. |
Zimbabwe distribution: | N,C,E,S |
Growth form(s): | Epiphyte, lithophyte. |
Endemic status: | |
Red data list status: | |
Insects associated with this species: | |
Spot characters: | Display spot characters for this species |
Images last updated: | Sunday 6 May 2012 |
Literature: |
Burrows, J.E. (1990). Southern African Ferns and Fern Allies. Frandsen, Sandton. Pages 190 - 191. (Includes a picture). Burrows, J.E. & Burrows, S.M. (1993). An annotated check-list of the pteridophytes of Malawi Kirkia 14(1) Page 90. As Pyrrosia schimperiana (Mett. ex Kuhn) Alston Crouch, N.R., Klopper, R.R., Burrows, J.E. & Burrows, S.M. (2011). Ferns of Southern Africa, A comprehensive guide Struik Nature Pages 544 - 545. (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. Jacobsen, W.B.G. (1983). The Ferns and Fern Allies of Southern Africa. Butterworths, Durban and Pretoria. Pages 304 - 305. (Includes a picture). Kornas, J. (1979). Distribution and ecology of the Pteridophytes in Zambia Polska Akademia Nauk Wydzial II Nauk Biologicznych Page 76. 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 98. Roux, J.P. (2009). Synopsis of the Lycopodiophyta and Pteridophyta of Africa, Madagascar and neighbouring islands Page 165. Schelpe, E.A.C.L.E. (1970). Pteridophyta Flora Zambesiaca Page 147. (Includes a picture). |
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