中国蕨科
Zhang Gangmin
Plants terrestrial or rupestral, mostly median or small in stature. Rhizomes erect or ascending, rarely long-creeping (Onychium), siphonostelic, infrequantly simply dictyostelic, bearing scales. Leaves monomorphic, or rarely dimorphic, clustered to widely scattered. Petiole brown to black or straw-colored, terete or adaxially sulcate, glabrous, hairy, or scaly. Blade ovate-deltate to pentagonal, or oblong, rarely lanceolate, 2-pinnate to finely 4-pinnate-pinnatifid, herbaceous to firmly papery, frequently covered with white or yellow farina abaxially. Veins free, occasionally anastomosing (without including free veinlets). Sori marginal at vein tips or apical portion, small and round, or along commisural vein which connecting vein tips, linear (Onychium, Doryopteris). Indusia present (Notholaena absent), formed by reflexed and somewhat modified leaf margin (false indusia). Spores usually obscurely brown, globose-tetrahedrial, granulate, pseudoreticulate, or echinate.
About 12 genera; worldwide, mainly in subtropical areas; 7 genera in China.
1a. Leaves strongly dimorphic, fertile leaves obviously higher than sterile ones; veins free; sori
confined to vein tips...........................................................................................1.Cryptogramma
1b. Leaves monomorphic, if somewhat dimorphic, veins anastomosing; sori borne along marginal
commisural vein or confined to vein tips.
2a. Petioles and rachises straw-colored (occasionally chestnut-brown); blade finely 24-
pinnate-pinnatifid; ultimate fertile pinnules or segments pod-shaped; sori borne along
marginal commisural vein.................................................................................2.Onychium
2b. Petioles and rachises chestnut-colored to black (straw-colored in a few species of Pellaea);
blades 12-pinnate-pinnatifid, ultimate fertile pinnules or segments not pod-shaped; sori
confined to vein tips, or along marginal commisural veins (Doryopters).
3a. Blades usually with white or yellow farina on abaxial surface..............7. Aleuritopteris
3b. Blades usually without white or yellow farina on abaxial surface.
4a. Blades pentagonal (i.e. proximal basiscopic pinnules of basal pinnae enlarged)
5a. Sori borne along marginal commisural vein, linear; rhizome scales bicolored, with black and thick central band, broad brownish and membranous margins .....6. Doryopteris
5b. Sori borne at vein tips, rounded, separate (confluent when mature); rhizome scales brown or dark brown, concolored or with narrow brownish margins...........................................................................................7. Aleuritopteris
4b. Blades lanceolate, deltate-lanceolate, or oblong and finely divided.
6a. Leaf margins not reflexed, indusia absent; blades densely covered by yellow to
brownish long hairs abaxially............................................................3. Notholaena
6b. Leaf margins reflexed and modified forming scarious false indusia; blades
frequently glabrous abaxially.
7a. Plants usually mesic, summer green; blades herbaceous, finely divided, apex
pinnatifid, acuminate; false indusia usually interrupted ........4. Cheilosoria
7b. Plants usually xeric, evergreen; blades papery, roughly divided, often with
apical pinna or apex caudate; false indusia continuous...................5. Pellaea
1. CRYPTOGRAMMA R. Brown in Franklin, Narr. Journey Polar Sea. 767. 1823.
珠蕨属 zhu jue shu
Plants small, usually on rock. Rhizomes short, erect or ascending with dictyostele, or occasionally long-creeping with siphonostele; scales colorless or brownish, thin. Leaves strongly dimorphic, clustered or rarely scattered; sterile leaves shorter than fertile ones. Petiole dark brown proximally, light brown to straw-colored distally, grooved adaxially, scaly. Blade of sterile leaves broadly ovate or oblong, 2-pinnate to 3-pinnate-pinnatifid, leathery, herbaceous to membranous, glabrous; blade of fertile leaves 23-pinnate. Ultimate segments of sterile blade ovate, spatulate, elliptic, or fan-shaped; fertile segments linear or elongate-oblong. Veins free, pinnately branched, single or forked distally; hydathodes often sunken below surface. False indusia broad, clearly marginal, continuous, making a single fertile segment podlike. Sori borne at vein tips, round or elliptic, confluent when mature. Spores yellow, tetrahedral, trilete, verrucose. x = 30.
About 10 species; temperate and subtropical alpine regions, Asia, Europe, N America, S America; 2 species in China.
Plants of Cryptogramma much resemble those of Onychium in stature but far smaller. There is
not a commisural vein connecting veinlet tips, so the sori are borne at veinlet tips and get confluent only when mature. Furthermore, the two genera have different distributive areas.
1a. Rhizomes slender and creeping; leaves sparse and scattered; sterile laminae 1-2-pinnate, herbaceous to membranous, thin; hydathodes absent................... ..........1. C. stelleri
1b. Rhizomes stout and erect; leaves densely tufted; sterile laminae 3-4-pinnate, papyraceous or somewhat leathery, obscure; hydathodes present and conspicuous.. 2. C. brunoniana
1. Cryptogramma stelleri (S. G. Gmelin) Prantl in Engler, Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 3: 413. 1882.
稀叶珠蕨 xi ye zhu jue
Pteris stelleri S. G. Gmelin, Nov. Comm. Acad. Petr. 12: 519. t. 12. f. 1. 1768; Allosorus gracilis Presl; A. stelleri Ruprecht; Cheilanthes gracilis Kaulfuss; Pellaea gracilis Hooker; Pteris gracilis Michaux.
Rhizomes slender, long-creeping; scales lanceolate or ovate-lanceolate. Leaves scattered along rhizomes. Petiole brownish straw-colored, glabrous; petiole of fertile leaf 68 cm. Blade of sterile leaf ovate or ovate-oblong, apex obtuse, 1-2-pinnate, herbaceous to membranous, yellowish green, glabrous on both surfaces; hydathodes poorly developed or absent. Fertile leaf blade broadly lanceolate or oblong, 47 X 1.84 cm, 2-pinnate. Pinnae of sterile leaf 34 pairs, subrounded, margins entire or slightly undulate, apex obtuse. Pinnae of fertile leaf 45 pairs, shortly stalked or subsessile, basal pair largest, 1-pinnate. Pinnules 12 pairs, anadromous, broadly lanceolate, shortly stalked or sessile, base cuneate, apex acute or obtuse. False indusia pale green, membranous, margins somewhat irregular, not reaching to main vein. Sori borne at vein tips, discrete, often confluent at maturity.
Rock crevices in fir or azalea woodlands; 17004200 m; Gansu, Hebei, Qinghai, Shaanxi, Shanxi, Taiwan, Xinjiang, SE Xizang, NW Yunnan [Bhutan, India, Japan, Nepal, Russia; N America].
2. Cryptogramma brunoniana Hooker & Greville, Ic. Fil. t. 158. 1829.
高山珠蕨 gao shan zhu jue
Cryptogramma crispa f. indica Hooker; C. crispa var. brunoniana Baker; C. emeiensis Ching & K. H. Shing; C. shensiensis Ching; Phorolobus brunonianus Fιe.
Rhizomes stout and erect; scales brown, lanceolate, membranous. Leaves tufted. Petiole straw-colored, sparsely scaly proximally; petiole of sterile leaf shorter, 45 cm; petiole of fertile leaf 716 cm. Blade of sterile leaf broadly ovate or ovate-deltate, 34 X 1.52 cm, 3-4-pinnate, herbaceous; hydathodes spindle, slightly sunken below leaf surface. Fertile leaf blade ovate or ovate-oblong, 46 X 1.53.5 cm, 3-pinnate. Pinnae of sterile blade 67 pairs, basal pair largest, ovate, 1.62.2 X 2.21.7 cm. Ultimate sterile segments deltate or oblong, apex acute, one veinlet of each segment. Ultimate fertile pinnules or segments linear at first, elliptic when mature, 35 X 12 mm, apex obtuse, or sometimes acute. Sori borne near vein tips, somewhat rounded, coalesce at maturity. False indusia brown, linear, margins entire.
Two varieties: Bhutan, N India, Japan, Nepal, Russia, and Sikkim; two varieties in China.
1a. Ultimate segments of sterile laminae triangular, with an acute apex
..2a. C. brunoniana var. brunoniana
1b. Ultimate segments of sterile laminae linear, with a round apex.
...2b. C. brunoniana var. sinensis
2a. Cryptogramma brunoniana var. brunoniana
高山珠蕨(原变种) gao shan zhu jue (yuan bian zhong)
Blade of sterile leaf broadly ovate or ovate-deltate, finely 3-pinnate-pinnatifd. Ultimate sterile segments deltate or oblong, apex acute.
Rock crevices; 35003700 m; Sichuan, E and C Taiwan, NW Yunnan [Bhutan, N India, Japan, Nepal, and Sikkim].
2b. Cryptogramma brunoniana var. sinensis (Christ) G. M. Zhang, Acta Phytotax. Sin. 41 (5): 481.
珠蕨（变种） zhu jue (bian zhong)
Allosorus raddeana (Fomin) Ching; Cryptogramma crispa var. sinensis Christ; C. raddeana Fomin.
Blade of sterile leaf broadly ovate, 4-pinnate-pinnatifid, papery, brownish green when dry, glabrous on both surfaces; hydathodes obovate and sunken below leaf surface. Ultimate segments of sterile blade shortly linear or spatulate, nearly as wide as that of costa (rachis), apex obtuse. Sori coalesce and spread over abaxial surface of fertile leaf when mature.
On rock; 26004600 m; W Hubei, Shaanxi, W and NW Sichuan, Xizang, NW Yunnan [Russia].
2. ONYCHIUM Kaulfuss, Jahrb. Pharm. 45. 1820.
金粉蕨属 jin fen jue shu
Plants terrestrial. Rhizomes long-creeping, or rarely short and decumbent, siphonostelic; scales brown, lanceolate, margins entire. Leaves monomorphic to nearly dimorphic, distant or approximate. Petiole straw-colored or sometimes chestnut-brown, glabrous, with 2 vascular bundles at base, adaxially sulcate. Blade ovate-deltate, ovate-lanceolate, less often elongate-lanceolate, herbaceous or papery, finely 24-pinnate-pinnatifid, rarely 2-pinnate, nearly glabrous or the fertile segments yellow-farinose beneath. Ultimate segments narrow and small, lanceolate, usually 310 X 11.5 mm, base cuneate and decurrent, apex acute or acuminate. Veins simple in sterile segments, pinnate and veinlets connected by inframarginal commisural veins in fertile segments. Sori borne along commisural veins, linear, paraphyses absent. False indusia membranous, continuous, reaching to midvein or nearly so, pod-shaped, margins entire, rarely erose. Spores trilete, globose-tetrahedral, pellucid, tuberculate, distal face reticulate with prominent coarse ridges parallel to the equatorial flange. x = 29.
About 10 species: Tropical and subtropical Africa, Asia; 8 species in China.
1a. Sori 12 cm or more long, intermixed with citrine, waxy farina; rhizome scales linear-lancolate; plants growing in dry valley...................................................1. O. siliculosum
1b. Sori usually less than 1 cm, not intermixed with farina; rhizome scales lanceolate to
ovate-lanceolate; plants not growing in dry valley.
2a. Rhizomes short and decumbent; leaves subclustered; scales of petiole base pale brown; margins of ultimate segments more or less serrulate; margins of false indusia erose ..2. O. tenuifrons
2b. Rhizomes long-creeping; leaves far apart; scales of petiole base reddish brown or dark brown; margins of ultimate segments entire; margins of false indusia entire or slightly undulate.
3a. Blade less than 10 cm wide, narrowly deltate-lanceolate, 23-pinnate.
4a. Blade of fertile leaf 410 cm wide, 3-pinnate...............................7. O. moupinense
4b. Blade of fertile leaf 12 cm wide, 2-pinnate................................8. O. angustifrons
3b. Blade 1230 cm or more wide, ovate to ovate-deltate, 34-pinnate-pinnatifid.
5a. Blade herbaceous; ultimate segments conferted; sporangia short, ca. 2 mm
................... ..........6. O. plumosum
5b. Blade papery; ultimate segments separate or approching for each other.
6a. Blade ovate-deltate to ovate- lanceolate, firmly papery; costae, costules rigid; ultimate segments approching. .........................................5. O. japonicum
6b. Blade usually broadly ovate or elliptic, thin papery or herbaceous; costae, costules slender; ultimate segments separate.
7a. Rhizome scales with thin and fine cells; petiole base black; pinna apex
acuminate; fertile segment apex acute.................................3. O. contiguum
7b. Rhizome scales conspicuously clathrate; petiole base chestnut-brown; pinna
apex caudate; fertile segment apex acuminate......................4. O. tibeticum
1. Onychium siliculosum (Desvaux) C.
Christensen, Ind. Fil. 469. 1906.
金粉蕨 jin fen jue
Pteris siliculosum Desvaux, Berl. Mag. 5: 324. 1811; Allosorus auratus Presl; Cryptogramma aurata Prantl; Onychium auratum Kaulfuss; O. chrysocarpum C.Christensen; O. tenue Christ; Pteris aurata Mettenius; P. chrysocarpa Hooker & Greville.
Rhizomes short, erect or ascending; scales dark brown, linear-lanceolate. Leaves dimorphic or nearly so. Petiole 1230 cm X 25 mm, straw-colored. Blade of sterile leaf 23-pinnate-pinnatifid, apex acuminate, papery when dry, grayish green, glabrous on both surfaces; rachis, costae, and costules grooved adaxially, rounded abaxially. Blade of fertile leaf ovate-lanceolate or elongate-ovate, 1535 X 918 cm, 34-pinnate proximally, with a long linear simple pinna at apex; lateral pinnae 1015 pairs, basal pair slightly larger, oblong-lanceolate or deltate, with stalks 36 mm. Ultimate pinnules of sterile blade sessile, less than 1 mm wide, apex wider and with 12 sharp teeth. Ultimate pinnules of fertile blade linear at first, 515 X 1.52 mm, wider at maturity (23 mm), stalks 23 mm, base cuneate, margins entire, apex acuminate or acute. Sori borne along commisural veins, linear, 12 cm or more long, intermixed with citrine waxy farina.
Rock crevices of dry valley; 1001500 m; E Hainan, Taiwan, Xizang, Yunnan [Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, New Guinea, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam; Pacific Islands].
According to a record of the specimen from Yunnan (Mojiang), it says that Onychium siliculosum grows in the soil containing copper mine.
2. Onychium tenuifrons Ching, Lingnan Sci. J. 8: 500. 1934.
蚀盖金粉蕨 shi gai jin fen jue
Onychium japonicum (Thunberg) Kunze var. delavayi Christ.
Rhizomes stout, short, decumbent; scales yellowish brown, lanceolate. Leaves dimorphic or nearly so, subclustered. Petiole straw-colored, glabrous; petiole of fertile leaf longer, 1520 cm X 2 mm, Blade of sterile leaf 3-pinnate-pinnatifid, herbaceous, thin. Blade of fertile leaf elliptic-lanceolate, 1525 X 510 cm, apex acuminate, 34-pinnate, firmly papery when dry, glabrous on both surfaces; rachis grooved adaxially, rounded abaxially. Pinnae 810 pairs, lanceolate, stalked; inframedian pinnae 510 X 2.53 cm, stalks 410 mm. Ultimate pinnules (segments) of sterile blade confert, obovate or oblong, with sharp teeth at apex, 1 veinlet per tooth. Ultimate pinnules (segments) of fertile blade sessile or decurrent to costule, shortly linear or lanceolate, margins entire and slightly revolute when dry, apex acuminate or acute. False indusia narrow, pale, margins erose.
Forest margin or under shrubs, 1002700 m ; W Guizhou, Sichuan, Yunnan [N Myanmar].
Onychium tenuifrons is similar to O. japonicum, it differs in having clustered leaves, lighter and thiner rhizome scales, slightly revolute margins of ultimate segments and erose margins of false indusia.
3. Onychium contiguum Wallich ex Hope, J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 13 : 444. 1901.
黑足金粉蕨 Hei zu jin fen jue
Onychium cryptogrammoides Christ; O. japonicum Kunze var. intermedia Clarke; O. japonicum Kunze var. multisecta Clarke.
Rhizomes long-creeping; scales dark brown, lanceolate. Leaves monomorphic, closely together or distant. Petiole (15--)2050 cm X 23 mm, black at base, straw-colored distally. Blade often broadly ovate, (12--)2038 X 1026 cm, apex acuminate, finely 4-pinnate-pinnatifid, thin papery when dry; rachis, costae, costules grooved adaxially, rounded abaxially. Pinnae 1014 pairs, basal pair largest, ovate-deltate, 1025 X 514 cm, stalked, apex acuminate, stalks ca. 1 cm. Ultimate sterile pinnules (segments) linear, with 12 sharp teeth. Ultimate fertile pinnules (segments) oblong or shortly linear, 25 X ca. 1 mm, as wide as costules, base cuneate, decurrent, margins entire, apex acute. False indusia nearly reaching to midvein, greyish-white, entire along margin.
Open woods, stream bank, valley, often forming community; 12003500 m; S Gansu, Guizhou, Sichuan, Taiwan, S Xizang, NW Yunnan [Bhutan, Cambodia, India, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Sikkim, Thailand, Vietnam].
Onychium contiguum resembles O. japonicum, but the former one differs in its black petiole at base, finely divided blade, and much slender costae and costules. Geographically, the two species have different distribution regions.
4. Onychium tibeticum Ching & S. K. Wu, Fl. Xizang. 1: 77. 1983.
西藏金粉蕨 xi zang jin fen jue
Rhizomes long-creeping, ca. 2 mm in diam.; scales brown or reddish brown, lanceolate. Leaves monomorphic, distant. Petiole 1028 cm, chestnut-brown at base, straw-colored distally. Blade elliptic, 2428 X ca. 15 cm, base cuneate, apex acuminate, 4-pinnate, herbaceous, dark green when dry; rachis grooved adaxially, rounded abaxially. Pinnae ca. 10 pairs, alternate, conferted, oblique, stalked, basal pair similar to but larger than adjacent pinnae, elliptic, 1316 X 35 cm, stalks ca. 1 cm, base cuneate, apex caudate. Ultimate fertile pinnules (segments) elliptic-lanceolate, 57 X ca. 1 mm, apex acuminate; ultimate sterile pinnules (segments) shorter. Veins obvious. Sori bearing on median portion of ultimate fertile pinnule (segment), both ends sterile. False indusia entire along margin.
*Ditch side under woods; 20002300 m; Xizang.
Onychium tibeticum is similar to O. contiguum, it differs in having chestnut-brown petiole base, caudate pinna apex, and longer ultimate pinnules or segments. In addition, its rhizome scales are conspicuously clathrate, not like those in O. contiguum with thin fine cells.
5. Onychium japonicum (Thunberg) Kunze, Bot Zeit. 507. 1848.
野雉尾金粉蕨 ye zhi wei jin fen jue
Trichomanes japonicum Thunberg, Fl. Jap. 340. 1784; Caenopteris japonica Thunberg; Cryptogramma japonica Prantl; Darea japonica Willdenow; Onychium chinense Fιe; Phorolobus chinensis Desvaux; Pteris japonica Mettenius.
Rhizomes long-creeping; scales brown or reddish brown, lanceolate. Leaves monomorphic or subdimorphic, distant. Petiole as long as blade, 24 mm in diam., straw-colored, brown, or chestnut-brown. Blade ovate-deltate or narrowly ovate, 2040 X 1020 cm, apex acuminate, finely 34-pinnate, firmly herbaceous or papery, glabrous; rachis, costae, and costules shallowly grooved adaxially, rounded abaxially. Pinnae 1015 pairs, alternate, deltate-lanceolate or oblong-lanceolate, stalked; basal pair largest, 920 X 510 cm, stalks ca. 12 cm. Ultimate fertile pinnules or segments linear-lanceolate, 510 X 1.52 mm, apex sterile and acute; ultimate sterile pinnules or segments shorter and narrower, apex shortly acuminate. Sori (3) 56 mm long. False indusia entire along margin.
Two varieties: Bhutan, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Vietnam; Pacific Islands; two varieties in China.
1a. Plants to 60 cm tall; petiole straw-colored;
ultimate pinnules or segments usually
57 mm....................................................
................5a. O. japonicum var. japonicum
1b. Plants to 80 cm tall; petiole brown to
chestnut-brown; ultimate pinnules or seg-
ments ca.10 cm........................................
...................5b. O. japonicum var. lucidum
5a. Onychium japonicum (Thunberg) Kunze var. japonicum
野雉尾金粉蕨（原变种）ye zhi wei jin fen jue (yuan bien zhong)
Plants to 60 cm tall. Rhizomes ca. 3 mm in diam. Petiole straw-colored, at most brown proximally. Ultimate pinnules or segments usually 5-7 mm.
By stream, roadside, forest margin; below 2200 m; Anhui, Fujian, S Gansu, Guangxi, Guizhou, W Hebei (Xinle), Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Shaanxi, Shangdong, Sichuan, Taiwan, Yunnan, Zhejiang [Indonesia, Japan, philippines; Pacific Islands].
5b. Onychium japonicum (Thunberg) Kunze var. lucidum (D. Don) Christ, Bull. Soc. Bot. France 52. Mem. 1: 60. 1905.
栗柄金粉蕨（变种） li bing jin fen jue (bian zhong)
Leptostegia lucida D. Don, Prod. Fl. Nepal. 14. 1825; Onychium lucidum (D. Don) Sprengel.
Plants to 80 cm tall or more. Rhizomes ca. 4 mm in diam. Petiole usually brown to chestnut-brown. Ultimate pinnules or segments ca. 1 cm.
Roadside, forest margin, mountain slopes; 2002400 m; Fujian, Gansu, Guangdong,
Guangxi, Guizhou, Hubei, Jiangxi, Shaanxi, Sichuan, Xizang, Yunnan, Zhejiang [Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Sikkim, Vietnam].
The distribution ranges of the variety lucidum and the variety japonicum exist some difference, the former seems not to be found in Japan and the later not extends westward to
Himalayas.
6. Onychium plumosum Ching, Lingnan Sci. J. 13: 499. 1934
繁羽金粉蕨 fan yu jin fen jue
Onychium japonicum var. parvisorum R. Bonaparte
Rhizomes stout, short, decumbent; scales chestnut-colored, shiny, subulate-lanceolate. Leaves monomorphic, subclustered. Petiole brownish proximally, straw-colored distally, 2530 cm X ca. 4 mm. Blade deltate-oblong or deltate-ovate, 3560 X 2030 cm, apex acuminate, 4-pinnate-pinnatifid, herbaceous, thin, grayish green when dry. Pinnae 1015 pairs, stalked; basal pair largest, 1522 X 616 cm, stalks ca. 1.5 cm, apex acuminate. Pinnules anadromous, deltate or elongate-ovate, stalked, stalks with narrow wings. Ultimate segments conferted, 23 X ca. 1 mm, apex acuminate. Sori short, 12 mm. False indusia whitish, margins entire.
Under woods or by ditches; 12002800 m; SW Sichuan, NW Yunnan [NW India].
7. Onychium moupinense Ching, Lingnan
Sci. J. 8: 500. 1934.
木坪金粉蕨 mu ping jin fen jue
Rhizomes long-creeping; scales dark brown, lanceolate. Leaves monomorphic or subdimorphic, approximate. Petiole straw-colored, slender, 532 cm. Blade of sterile leaf lanceolate, 1015 X 2.53.5 cm, 2-pinnate or 2-pinnate-pinnatifid, papery. Blade of fertile leaf much larger, lanceolate or ovate-lanceolate, 1432 X 610 cm, apex caudate, 3-pinnate proximally. Pinnae 815 pairs, obliquely patent or curved upwards, basal pair largest, lanceolate or ovate-lanceolate, 48 X 23 cm, stalked, stalks 510 mm, apex elongate-acuminate or caudate. Pinnules anadromous, narrowly winged and decurrent to costae. Ultimate sterile pinnules or segments obliquely ovate, apex sharply serrate. Ultimate fertile pinnules or segments linear, 38 X ca. 1.5 mm. False indusia entire along margin.
Two varieties, endemic to China.
1a. Leaves subdimorphic; blade lanceolate or
ovate-lanceolate; ultimate segments 78
mm.....7a. O. moupinense var. moupinense
1b. Leaves monomorphic; blade narrowly
lanceolate; ultimate segments 35 mm.....
.........................7b. O. moupinense var. ipii
7a. Onychium moupinense Ching var.
moupinense
木坪金粉蕨（原变种） mu ping jin fen jue (yuan bian zhong)
Plants to 70 cm tall. Leaves subdimorphic. Sterile blade lanceolate; fertile blade ovate-lanceolate. Ultimate segments linear, 78 mm.
*Crevices in shrubs or broad-leaf forests; 5001900 m; Hubei, Shaanxi, Sichuan, Yunnan.
7b. Onychium moupinense Ching var. ipii (Ching) Shing, Fl. Reipubl. Popularis Sin. 3(1): 112. 1990.
湖北金粉蕨 （变种） hu bei jin fen jue (bian zhong)
Onychium ipii Ching, Lingnan Sci. J. 15: 182. 1936.
Plants usually 2040 cm tall. Leaves monomorphic. Blade narrowly lanceolate. Ultimate segments short, 34mm.
*Shaded and moist place; below 1100 m; W Hubei (Gucheng).
8. Onychium angustifrons Ching, Acta
Phytotax. Sin. 20(2): 233. 1982.
狭叶金粉蕨 xia ye jin fen jue
Rhizomes long-creeping, ca. 2 mm in diam.; scales dark brown, narrowly lanceolate. Leaves subdimorphic, approximate. Petiole somewhat black at base, straw-colored distally. Blade of sterile leaf only 57 cm, pinnate-pinnatifid. Blade of fertile leaf lanceolate or linear-lanceolate, 712 X 11.5 cm, 2-pinnate, apex pinnatifid and elongate-acuminate. Pinnae 1315 pairs, alternate, extremely oblique and leaning to rachis, basal pair largest, deltate-lanceolate or oblong-lanceolate, 1.52 X 0.40.5 cm. Ultimate sterile segments oblong, 2 X 1 mm, apex acute or with 23 sharp teeth, with a single veinlet for each tooth. Ultimate fertile pinnules or segments linear, 48 X ca. 0.7 mm. False indusia entire along margin.
*On rock; C Sichuan.
Onychium angustifrons is simply divided and small in stature, only about 15 cm tall. It
resembles O. moupinense in habit. Further study is needed to show if it is the draft of O. moupinense influenced by habitat factors.
3. NOTHOLAENA R. Brown, Prod. Fl. Nov. Holl. 145. 1810
隐囊蕨属 yin nang jue shu
Plants on rock, usually xeric. Rhizomes short and decumbent, rarely erect or long-creeping,
siphonostelic; scales brown or black, subulate-lanceolate to lanceolate. Leaves monomorphic, frequently clustered or proximate. Petiole chestnut-colored or black, terete or with a single longitudinal groove adaxially. Blade oblong to lanceolate, 13-pinnate, papery or somewhat leathery, usually covered by yellow to brownish long hairs on both surfaces (especially on abaxial surface). Ultimate segments sessile to subsessile, often adnate to costae, linear, oblong, or deltate, margins entire or with a few shallow lobes, plane or slightly recurved but not forming scariose false indusia. Veins free, obscure. Indusia absent. Sori rounded or oblong, confined to submarginal vein tips. Spores tetrahedral-globose, granulate. x = 29 (30).
About 40 species; worldwide, tropical and subtropical xeric regions; 2 species in China.
1a. Rhizomes long-creeping; leaves scattered; blade pinnate-pinnatifid; pinnae subsessile...............................................................................................................1. N. chinensis
1b. Rhizomes short, erect or decumbent; leaves clustered; blade 2-pinnate-pinnatifid; pinnae
distinctly stalked.........................................................................................................2. N. hirsuta
1. Notholaena chinensis Baker, Gard. Chron.
n. s. 14: 494. 1880.
中华隐囊蕨 zhong hua yin nang jue
Cheilanthes chinensis (Bak.) Domin
Rhizomes long-creeping, ca. 3 mm in diam.; scales bicolored with dark brown central stripe and light brown margins, subulate-lanceolate. Leaves scattered. Petiole dark brown, lustrous, terete, (2--)3--14 cm, scaly proximally. Blade oblong-lanceolate, 715 X 3.55 cm, pinnate-pinnatifid, papery, soft, sparsely with brownish villoses adaxially, densely with flavo-brown villoses abaxially. Pinnae 1020 pairs; basal pair largest, deltate, 24 X 1.53 cm, sessile, strongly inequilateral, proximal 24 basiscopic segments greatly enlarged; upper pairs of pinnae gradually reduced, ovate-deltate to strap-shaped, pinnatifid or not, apex obtuse. Ultimate segments sessile, broadly adnate to costae, margins slightly recurved but not covering sori. Sori containing a few sporangia, concealed in thick villoses abaxially, invisible before maturity.
*Limestone crevices; 400800 m; Chongqing, N Guangxi (Lingui), NE Guizhou, W Hubei, Sichuan.
2. Notholaena hirsuta (Poiret) Desvaux, J. Bot. Appl. 1: 93. 1873.
隐囊蕨 yin nang jue
Pteris hirsuta Poiret, Ency. Meth. Bot. 5: 719. 1804; Cheilanthes densa Fιe; C. hirsuta
Mettenius; C. nudiuscula Moore; Notholaena densa J. Smith; N. nudiuscula Desvaux; N. sulcata Link; Pellaea nudiuscula Hooker; Pteris nudiuscula R. Brown.
Rhizomes short, erect; scales rufo-brown, subulate-lanceolate. Leaves clustered. Petiole chestnut-colored, slightly lustrous, 812 cm, shallowly grooved adaxially, rounded abaxi- ally, sparsely covered with fibrous scales and villoses when young, then mostly shed. Blade oblong or oblong-lanceolate, 1016 X 2.57 cm, 2-pinnate-pinnatifid proximally, thickly papery, brown when dry, sparsely villous with long, articulate gray hairs adaxially, densely covered with long, articulate dark brown hairs abaxially; rachis, costae chestnut-colored, sparsely villous. Pinnae 810 pairs, proximal pairs of pinnae ovate-lanceolate or oblong-lanceolate, 24.5 X 13 cm, stalked (stalks 35 mm), inequilateral, basiscopic pinnules, especially proximal one, much enlarged. Ultimate segments sessile, margins shallowly lobed to entire. Sori containing numerous sporangia, concealed in thick villoses abaxially, emerged when mature. 2n = 174.
On rock along river or rice field; 200400 m; Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi (Nanning), Hongkong, Taiwan (Taizhong)
[other Asian tropical regions; Australia; Pacific Islands].
4. CHEILOSORIA Trevisan, Atti dell Istit. Veneto 5(3): 579. 1877.
碎米蕨属 sui mi jue shu
Plants terrestrial or on rock. Rhizomes short and erect, rarely ascending, siphonostelic; scales concolorous, brown to chestnut-black, subulate or subulate-lanceolate, margins entire. Leaves monomorphic, tufted. Petiole chestnut-colored to chestnut-black, lustrous, usually with single broad (rarely narrow) and shallow longitudinal groove adaxially, densely scaly at base, sparsely scaly distally when young, then glabrescent. Blade lanceolate, oblong-lanceolate, or ovate-pentagonal, finely 23-pinnate, herbaceous or somewhat papery, usually glabrous on both surfaces, or bearing short articulate hairs or glandular hairs. Veins of ultimate pinnules (segments) free, pinnate branched, single or forked distally. False indusia formed by reflexed and somewhat modified leaf margin, usually interrupted, margins erose, serrulate, or ciliate. Sori rounded, at vein tips, often confluent when mature. Spores globose-tetrahedral, perispore granulate or pseudo-reticulate, rarely rugose. x = 29, 30, 56, 58, 60.
About 8 species: Asian tropical and subtropical regions, Australia; 8 species in China.
1a. Blade lanceolate, pinnate-pinnatifid to 3-pinnate; basal pair of pinnae not larger than adjacent pinnae; proximal basiscopic pinnules not conspicuously enlarged.
2a. Blade pinnate-pinnatifid to 2-pinnate; costae glabrous or with different hairs adaxially.
3a. Pinnae obtuse at apex, sparsely hairy on both surfaces; margins of false indusia ciliate.................................................................................................................1. C. fragilis
3b. Pinnae acute or acuminate at apex, glabrous on both surfaces; margins of false indusia
nearly entire or undulate.
4a. Pinnae conferted, acute at apex, basal pinnae of blade somewhat reduced than adjacent pinnae; basiscopic pinnules same size as acroscopic ones; false indusia interrupted.
5a. Short hairs densely covered on sharp margins of both sides of rachis groove. ............................................................................. .............................2. C. chusana
5b. Glabrous on sharp margins of both sides of rachis groove ........3. C. opposita
4b. Pinnae widely separated, elongate-acuminate at apex; basal pinnae of blade same size as adjacent pinnae; basiscopic pinnules larger than acroscopic ones, proximal basiscopic pinnule largest; false indusia continuous, rarely interrupted..4. C. belangeri
2b. Blade 3-pinnate; costae sparsely clothed with glandular hairs adaxially.... .....7. C. insignis
1b. Blade ovate-pentagonal or elongate-deltate, 3-pinnate; basal pair of pinnae larger than adjacent pinnae and proximal basiscopic pinnules conspicuously enlarged.
6a. Petiole flattened or slightly grooved abaxially.
7a. Scales of rhizome and petiole base brownish, soft; petiole slightly grooved adaxially, without two sharp margins............. .................5. C. tenuifolia
7b. Scales of rhizome and petiole base black, stiff; petiole and rachis flattened abaxially with two sharp margins.............................. ..... .....6. C. patula
6b. Petiole terete . 8. A. hancockii
1. Cheilosoria fragilis (Hooker) Ching & Shing, Glos. Terms & Names of Ferns 39. 1982.
脆叶碎米蕨 cui ye sui mi jue
Cheilanthes fragilis Hooker, Fil. Exot. t. 96. 1859.
Rhizomes erect; scales grayish brown, subulate-lanceolate. Leaves tufted. Petiole chestnut -black, 56 cm X ca. 3 mm, covered with dense glandular hairs and a few lanceolate scales. Blade narrowly lanceolate, 2025 X 46 cm, slightly narrowed proximally, apex acuminate, 2-pinnate, herbaceous, thin when dry, brownish green, sparsely with glandular hairs on both surfaces; rachis chestnut-black, sparsely pubescent and with glandular hairs on both surfaces. Pinnae 1520 pairs, almost patent; medial pinnae largest, 34 X ca. 1 cm, lanceolate, shortly stalked, slightly narrowed proximally, apex somewhat obtuse. Pinnules narrowly oblong, medial ones larger, up to 7 X 3 mm, somewhat adnate to costa, margins irregularly crenate, apex obtuse-rounded. Veins pinnate, lateral veins forked. False indusia interrupted, reniform or rounded-reniform, margins somewhat ciliate.
Limestone rock; ca. 1000 m; S Yunnan (Yiwu, Mengla)[Malaysia, Myanmar].
2. Cheilosoria chusana (Hooker) Ching & Shing, Fl. Fujian. 1: 84. f. 77. 1982.
毛轴碎米蕨 mao zhou sui mi jue
Cheilanthes chusana Hooker, Sp. Fil. 2: 95. t. 106 B. 1852; Adiantopsis fordii C. Christensen; Cheilanthes bockii Diels; C. boltoni Copeland; C. fordii Baker; C. mysurensis var. chusana; C. mysurensis var. giraldii Christ.
Rhizomes short, erect; scales chestnut-black, lanceolate. Leaves tufted. Petiole 25 cm, chestnut-colored, lustrous, densely covered with reddish brown, lanceolate or subulate-lanceolate scales and few short hairs, adaxially with single longitudinal groove up to rachis, both sides of groove bulged forming sharp margins, along margins bearing brown, short hairs. Blade lanceolate, 825 X (2--) 46 cm, somewhat narrowed at base, shortly acuminate at apex, pinnate-pinnatisect, green or brownish green, herbaceous when dry, glabrous on both surfaces. Pinnae 1020 pairs, oblique, sub-sessile; medial pinnae largest, 1.53.5 X 11.5 cm, deltate-lanceolate, acute or obtuse at apex; lower pinnae gradually shortened proximally, widely separated; basal pair of pinnae deltate. Ultimate segments oblong or liguliform, often decurrent at base, margins crenate, apex obtuse. False indusia interrupted, elliptic-reniform or rounded-reniform. Sori rounded.
Rock crevices by roadside, stream, or under woods; 100-1500 m; Anhui, Chongqing, Gansu, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Shaanxi, Sichuan, Taowan, Zhejiang [Japan, Philippines, Vietnam].
3. Cheilosoria opposita (Kaulfuss) G. M. Zhang
碎米蕨 sui mi jue
Cheilanthes opposita Kaulfuss, Enum. 211. 1824; C. mysurensis Wallich ex Hooker; Cheilosoria mysurensis (Wallich ex Hooker) Ching & Shing.
Rhizomes short, erect; scales chestnut-colored or chestnut-black, subulate. Leaves tufted. Petiole 27 cm, chestnut-colored to black, densely scaly proximally, sparsely scaly distally, slightly grooved adaxially and rounded abaxially, both sides of groove bulged forming sharp margins, without hairs along margins. Blade elongate-lanceolate, 818 X 12 cm, base gradually tapered, apex acuminate, 2-pinnate, herbaceous, brown when dry, glabrous on both surfaces. Pinnae 1020 pairs; medial pinnae deltate or deltate-lanceolate, 11.5 X 0.50.8 cm, subsessile; lower pinnae widely separated and gradually shortened proximally, deltate; basal pair of pinnae reduced as small auricles. Pinnules of medial pinnae usually divided with 34 pairs of round lobes. Sori 12 for each lobe abaxially. False indusia interrupted, reniform or somewhat rounded-reniform. 2n = 60.
On rock by stream or in shrubs; Fujian, Guangdong (Dapu), Hainan, Taiwan (Wulei) [India, Sri Lanka, Vietnam].
Cheilosoria opposita is separated from C. chusana by the characteristics that its scales on the petiole are smaller, the blade is strongly narrow and finely divided, and on the bulged sharp margins of both sides of the petiole groove there is no hair.
4. Cheilosoria belangeri (Bory) Ching & Shing, Glos. Terms & Names of Ferns 39. 1982.
疏羽碎米蕨 shu yu sui mi jue
Pteris belangeri Bory in Belanger, Voy. Bot. 2: 44. 1883; Cheilanthes belangeri C.Christensen; C. varians Hooker; Pteridella belangeri Mettenius.
Rhizomes short, erect; scales chestnut-colored, subulate-lanceolate. Leaves tufted. Petiole 823 cm, chestnut-black, broadly grooved adaxially, rounded abaxially, base scaly, glabrous distally. Blade narrowly lanceolate, 1526 X 35 cm, base hardly narrowed, apex elongate-acuminate, 2-pinnate, papery, brown when dry, glabrous on both surfaces; rachis and costae chestnut-colored, adaxially grooved, abaxially rounded, glabrous. Pinnae 1215 pairs, widely separated; inframedial pinnae elongate-deltate, 2.53.5 X 11.5 cm (basal pair slightly shorter or same size as adjacent one), stalked (stalks 1.52 mm), base broadly cuneate, apex acuminate and often somewhat caudate. Pinnules (segments) of proximal pinnae 46 pairs, adnate to costa, inequilateral, basiscopic pinnules larger than acroscopic ones; proximal basiscopic pinnule longest, deltate-lanceolate, somewhat lobed. False indusia continuous or interrupted, margins entire or undulate.
On rock or moist soil; Hainan [Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Myanmar, Philippines, Vietnam].
5. Cheilosoria tenuifolia (N. L. Burman f.) Trevisan, Atti dell Inst. Veneto 5(3): 579. 1877.
薄叶碎米蕨 bo ye sui mi jue
Trichomanes tenuifolium N. L. Burman f., Fl. Ind. 237. 1768; Cheilanthes tenuifolia Swartz.
Rhizomes short, erect; scales yellowish brown, subulate, soft. Leaves tufted. Petiole 625 cm, chestnut-colored, grooved adaxially, rounded abaxially, sparsely scaly proximally, glabrous distally. Blade deltate, pentagonal-ovate, or broadly ovate-lanceolate, shorter than petiole, 418 X 412 cm, 3-pinnate or 3-pinnate-pinnatifid, herbaceous, thin, brownish green when dry, with a few short hairs adaxially; rachis and costae grooved adaxially, rounded abaxially. Pinnae 68 pairs; basal pair largest, ovate-deltate or ovate-lanceolate, 39 X 2.54.5 cm, stalked (stalks 0.31 cm), apex acuminate, inequilateral, basiscopic pinnules longer than acroscopic ones, proximal basiscopic pinnules largest. Ultimate pinnules connected with each other by very narrow wings, lobed, lobes elliptic. Sori confined to distal portion of lobes. False indusia continuous or not. 2n = 58, 116.
On rock in woods or by streams, rice fields; below 1000 m; Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, Hongkong, S Hunan, Jiangxi, Taiwan, Yunnan [Cambodia, India, Laos, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam; Australia, New Zealand, Pacific Islands].
6. Cheilosoria patula (Baker ) P. S. Wang & X.. Y. Wang, Pterid. Fl. Guizhou, 188. 2001.
平羽碎米蕨 ping yu sui mi jue
Cheilanthes patula Baker, J. Bot. 1888: 225. 1888; Pellaea patula (Baker) Ching.
Rhizomes short, erect; scales blackish, subulate-lanceolate. Leaves tufted. Petiole 815 cm X ca. 2 mm, chestnut-colored, adaxially flattened, with 2 projecting sharp margins, abaxially rounded, scaly proximally, glabrous distally. Blade elongate-deltate, 1220 X 611 cm, apex acuminate, 23-pinnate, papery, brownish green when dry, glabrous on both sides; rachis somewhat flexuose; rachis, costae chestnut-colored, grooved adaxially, with projecting sharp margins as on petiole. Pinnae 810 pairs, stalked, stalks 24 mm. Pinnae of basal pair larger, oblong-deltate, 36 X 1.62 cm; pinnules deltate, 812 X 46 mm, shortly stalked, base round-truncate, apex obtuse. Ultimate pinnules or segments oblong, margins entire, apex obtuse. False indusia brown, continuous or rarely interrupted, margins entire. Sori bearing at veinlet tips.
*Rock crevices; 400-900 m; Chongqing, Guangxi, Guizhou, W Hubei.
7. Cheilosoria insignis (Ching) Ching & Shing, Glos. Terms & Names of Ferns 39. 1982.
厚叶碎米蕨 hou ye sui mi jue
Cheilanthes insignis Ching, Fl. Tsinling. 2: 72, t. 18, f. 79. 1974.
Rhizomes short, ascending; scales black or with brown margins, shiny, lanceolate, stiff. Leaves tufted. Petiole 1015 cm X ca. 2 mm, chestnut-colored, lustrous, grooved adaxially, base scaly, glabrous distally. Blade broadly lanceolate, 1517 X 56 cm, 3-pinnate, papery, brownish green when dry, glabrous on both surfaces; rachis and costae grooved adaxially, with some glandular hairs along groove. Pinnae ca. 12 pairs, oblique; inframedial pinnae larger, ovate-lanceolate or broadly lanceolate, 45 X 1.52.5 cm, shortly stalked, acroscopic base truncate, parallel to rachis, basiscopic base cuneate, apex acuminate. Ultimate pinnules ovate or oblong, con-nected with narrow wings to each other, margins shallowly lobed. Veins pinnate on ultimate pinnules, visible abaxially. False indusia continuous, margins slightly erose.
*On rocky slope or under shrubs in dry-hot valley; 17003300 m; N Sichuan, E Xizang.
8. Cheilosoria hancockii (Baker) Ching & Shing, Glos. Terms & Names of Ferns 39. 1982.
大理碎米蕨 da li sui mi jue
Cheilanthes hancockii Baker, Kew Bull. 1895: 54. 1895; C. bonatiana Brause; C. henryi Christ; C. taliensis Christ; C. wilsonii Christ.
Rhizomes short, erect; scales bicolored with dark brown to black central stripe and lighter brown margins, subulate-lanceolate. Leaves tufted. Petiole 620 cm X ca. 1 mm, chestnut-colored, lustrous, terete, base scaly, glabrous distally. Blade pentagonal or pentagonal-ovate, 515 X 59 cm, apex acuminate to elongate-acuminate, 3-pinnate, herbaceous, brownish green when dry, glabrous on both surfaces; rachis and costae grooved adaxially, rounded abaxially, glabrous. Pinnae 57 pairs; basal pair largest, elongate-deltate, (3--)59 X 24 cm, shortly stalked, acroscopic base truncate and parallel to rachis, basiscopic base cuneate, apex acuminate or occasionally caudate. Ultimate pinnules oblong, ca. 1 X 0.20.3 cm, base narrowly winged, margins undulate or crenate, apex obtuse-rounded. False indusia interrupted, brown, reniform, semi-orbicular or oblong, entire or somewhat irregular along margin.
*On rock in woods or under shrubs by road; 14003000 m; Gansu (Wenxian), W Guizhou, Sichuan, Xizang (Chayu), Yunnan.
5. PELLAEA Link, Fil. Sp. Cult. t. 49, 59. 1841.
旱蕨属 han jue shu
Plants xeric, usually on rock. Rhizomes short, erect or ascending, siphonostelic; scales often
bicolored, chestnut-black with narrow brown margins, or rarely concolored, brown, narrowly
lanceolate or subulate-lanceolate, margins entire. Leaves monomorphic to somewhat dimorphic,
clustered. Petiole usually chestnut-colored to black, lustrous, terete, rarely grooved when young.
Blade lanceolate to deltate-lanceolate, 1--3-pinnate, nearly always with an odd terminal segment, papery or leathery, glabrous on both surfaces or frequently glandular pubescent or setiferous. Ultimate pinnules or segments linear-lanceolate or lanceolate, rarely oblong or deltate-hastate, margins entire, apex rounded or acute. Veins free, pinnately branched and divergent distally. False indusia linear, continuous, margins often serrulate or ciliate. Sori small, rounded, bearing at vein tips or apical portion, usually confluent when mature, paraphyses absent. Spores globose-tetrahedral, granulate or cristate, rarely rugose. x = 29.
About 50 species; S Africa, S America, N America, Asia, Oceania (New Zealand); 9 species
in China.
1a. Petioles straw-colored.
2a. Leaves subdimorphic; blade to 15 X 78 cm; pinnules linear, 24 cm......4. P. paupercula
2b. Leaves monomorphic; blade to 10 X 3 cm; pinnules short linear, 11.5 cm.
3a. Petioles usually much longer than blades; false indusia broad, reaching to main vein,
margins sparsely ciliate; Sichuan and Yunnan..............................................5. P. smithii
3b. Petioles about as long as blades; false indusia narrow, far from main vein, margins
entire or somewhat erose; Qinghai, Xingjiang, and Xizang......................6. P. straminea
1b. Petioles chestnut-colored to black.
4a. pinnules lanceolate or linear, base adnate to costa, apex acuminate.
5a. Petioles and rachises glabrous; blades pentagonal, about as long as wide......................
............................................................................................................9. P. yunnanensis
5b. Petioles and rachises setiferous and/or scaly; blades narrowly oblong-deltate, nearly 2 times longer than wide.
6a. Petioles densely bearing reddish brown setae and few subulate scales; apex of
blade and pinna obtuse or shortly caudate, caudate portion less than 1 cm; pinnules (segments) proximate........................................................7. P. nitidula
6b. Petioles densely clothed with subulate-lanceolate scales, especially proximally; apex of blade and pinnae long-caudate; caudate portion ca. 2 cm; pinnules
(segments) separated by broad sinus........................................................8. P. mairei
4b. Pinnules deltate, ovate, or oblong, stalked (at least those of basal pinnae), apex obtuse.
7a. Petiole and Blade grabrous; rachis straight.
8a. Blade leathery; petiole chestnut black; pinnules ovate-deltate, hastate, about as long
as wide (610 mm).......................................................................1. P. calomelanos
8b. Blade papery; petiole chestnut-red; pinnules oblong (35 mm)....2. P. connectens
7b. Petiole and Blade densely pubescent; Rachis somewhat flexuose .......3. P. trichophylla
1. Pellaea hastata (Thunberg) Prantl in Engler, Bot. Jahrb. 3: 418. 1882.
三角羽旱蕨 san jiao yu han jue
Pteris hastata Thunberg, Prod. Fl. Cap. 172. 1800; Pellaea calomelanos (Swartz) Link; Pteris calomelanos Swartz.
Rhizomes short and stout, decumbent or ascending; Scales chestnut-black, with narrow brown margins, lustrous. Leaves tufted. Petiole (3--)512 cm, chestnut-black, terete, sparsely covered with fibrous scales distally. Blade oblong-deltate, (5--)815 X 46 cm, 12-imparipinnate, leathery, grayish green when dry, glabrous on both surfaces; rachis, costae, and pinnule stalks chestnut-black, terete, sparsely with brown, short hairs and glands. Pinnae 510 pairs, oblique, inframedian pinnae imparipinnate or undivided, ovate-deltate, stalked (stalks 310 mm), 610 X 58 mm, base cordate, apex obtuse. Pinnules (if present) 35, stalked, stalks ca. 3 mm; apical pinnule hastate. False indusia brown, continuous, margins entire. Veins obscure. Sori bearing at tip portion or veinlets.
Rock crevices of dry valley; 9001800 m; S Sichuan, Yunnan [India; Nepal; Pakistan; Africa].
2. Pellaea connectens C. Christensen, Acta Hort. Gothob. 1: 84. t. 18, f. d; t. 19, f. a. 1924.
四川旱蕨 si chuan han jue
Rhizomes short, erect; scales brownish, subulate-lanceolate, thin and twisted. Leaves densely clustered. Petiole 38 cm, chestnut-colored, occasionally with few brown fibrous scales distally. Blade lanceolate, 510 X 24 cm, base not reduced, apex shortly acuminate, 2-imparipinnate (less often 3-pinnate), papery, brownish green when dry, glabrous on both surfaces; rachis straight; rachis, costae, and costules chestnut-colored, lustrous. Pinnae 610 pairs, proximal pinnae oblong-deltate or oblong, 12 X 0.81 cm; distal pinnae somewhat gradually reduced; terminal pinna oblong or broadly ovate, 36 X 23 mm, shortly stalked, base rounded-truncate, apex obtuse. Ultimate pinnules as terminal pinna in stature. False indusia weakly differentiated, pale green, margins undulate or irregularly crenate. Sori bearing at apical portion of veinlet.
*Limetone crevices in hot-dry valley; 19002800 m; W & SW Sichuan.
3. Pellaea trichophylla (Baker) Ching, Acta Phytotax. Sin. 10: 302. 1965.
毛旱蕨 mao han jue
Cheilanthes trichophylla Baker, Ann. Bot. 5:211. 1891; C. delavayi Baker; C. undulata
Hope & C. H. Wright.
Rhizomes short, erect; scales chestnut- black, lustrous, subulate-lanceolate, stiff. Leaves tufted. Petiole 1030 cm X 12 mm, chestnut-brown to black, terete, with brown short hairs. Blade deltate-lanceolate, slightly longer than petiole, 515 cm wide, apex shortly acuminate, 2-pinnate-pinnatifid, papery, dull brownish green when dry, strigose on both surfaces; rachis usually flexuose; rachis, costae, and pinnule stalks chestnut-colored, terete, densely hairy. Pinnae 610 pairs, stalked, stalks 512 mm. Pinnae of basal pair larger, deltate or deltate-lanceolate, 511 X 2.55 cm, apex acute; pinnules 35 pairs, ovate-deltate, 1.52.5 X 12 cm, stalked, stalks 12 mm, base round-truncate or somewhat cordate, pinnatifid to broad wings of costule; segments oblong, margins usually entire. False indusia continuous, brownish, margins undulate. Sori at veinlet tips.
*Rock crevices in hot-dry valley or under woods; 8002500 m; W Sichuan, E Xizang, W Yunnan.
4. Pellaea paupercula (Christ) Ching, Bull. Fan Mem. Inst. Biol. Bot. 2: 203. 1931.
凤尾旱蕨 feng wei han jue
Pteris paupercula Christ, Bull. Acad. Geogr. Bot. Mans 16: 131. 1906; Mildella paupercula Hall & Lellinger.
Rhizomes short, erect; scales bicolored, with bright black central stripe and brown margins, lanceolate, thick and stiff. Leaves tufted, somewhat dimorphic. Petiole 522 cm, brownish straw-colored proximally, densely bearing brown, soft, fibrous scales, straw-colored distally, sparsely scaly; young petiole grooved, becoming terete when old. Sterile blade shorter than fertile blade, herbaceous, pale brownish green when dry, glabrous on both surfaces; rachis, costae straw-colored, densely bearing short glandular hairs and a few hairy scales adaxially. Fertile blade oblong, 515 X 310 cm, apex caudate, 2-pinnate proximally; pinnae 37 pairs, proximal pinnae ovate-deltate, 37 X 24 cm, shortly stalked, apex caudate. Ultimate sterile segments oblong or broadly linear, 56 mm wide, margins slightly duplicate-crenate. Ultimate fertile segments linear, 23 mm wide, base decurrent to costae, apex acuminate. False indusia brownish, continuous, margins erose. Sori at vein tips of fertile segments.
*Rock crevices of dry valley; 12002900 m; W Sichuan.
Pellaea paupercula looks like some species of Pteris, such as the small individual of P. ensiformis, but the later has evident dimorphic leaves, the sterile leaf margins possess single, sharp tooth, and the petioles are glabrous and not terete.
5. Pellaea smithii C. Christensen, Acta Hort. Gothob. 1: 84, t. 18, f. ac. 1924.
西南旱蕨 xi nan han jue
Mildella smithii Hall & Lellinger
Rhizomes short, erect or ascending; scales bicolored, with bright black central stripe and brown margins, lanceolate, imbricately arranged. Leaves numerous, tufted. Petiole 620 cm X ca. 1 mm, brownish straw-colored, terete, sparsely covered with brown, narrowly lanceolate scales proximally, upwards with brown glandular hairs adaxially and a few fibrous scales abaxially. Blade oblong, much shorter than petiole, 410 X 23 cm, 2-pinnate, leathery, pale brownish green when dry, glabrous on both surfaces; rachis brownish straw-colored, grooved and sparsely with glandular hairs adaxially, rounded abaxially. Pinnae 37 pairs, ovate-deltate, 12.3 X 12 cm, sessile. Pinnules or segments 35 pairs, linear, 0.51.5 cm X 1.21.6 mm, base decurrent to costae, margins entire or sometimes divided with 13 small lobes, apex obtuse or mucronate. Veins obscure. False indusia continuous, broad, nearly to midrib, margins shortly ciliate. Sori at vein tips.
*Rock crevices under shrubs of dry valley;
13002600 m; W Sichuan, NW Yunnan.
6. Pellaea straminea Ching, Bull. Fan Mem. Inst. Biol. 2: 203, t. 17. 1931.
禾杆旱蕨 he gan han jue
Mildella straminea Hall & Lellinger; Pellaea straminea var. tibetica Ching.
Rhizomes short, erect or ascending; scales bicolored, with bright black central stripe and brown margins, lanceolate. Leaves clustered. Petiole to 7 cm X ca. 1 mm, straw-colored, sparsely with brown, fibrous scales proximally, adaxially grooved when young, becoming terete after mature, brittle. Blade ovate-oblong to ovate-deltate, (3--)58 X 1.53 cm, pinnate-pinnatifid proximally, gradually reduced distally to pinnatifid apex, herbaceous, grayish green when dry, glabrous on both surfaces; rachis and costae straw-colored, shallowly grooved adaxially, rounded abaxially. Pinnae 35(--7) pairs, subsessile, basal pair larger, elongate-ovate or ovate-deltate, 1.52 X 11.4 cm, apex caudate. Segments linear-lanceolate, 615 X 12 mm, base adnate to costae, margins entire or somewhat undulate. Veins obscure. False indusia narrow, far from midrib, continuous or somewhat interrupted, membranous, margins entire or somewhat erose. Sori at vein tips.
*On rock; 30004500 m; Gansu (Linxia), S Qinghai (Nangqian), Xinjiang, Xizang.
R. C. Ching reported a variety of Pellaea straminea from Xizang, named var. tibetica (1983). It differs from origin species only in its much larger stature (to 22 cm tall). Possibly it is a form of the species in moist habitats.
7. Pellaea nitidula (Wallich ex Hooker) Baker in Hooker & Baker, Syn. Fil. 149. 1867.
旱蕨 han jue
Cheilanthes nitidula Wallich ex Hooker, Sp. Fil. 2: 112. 1852; Mildella henryi Hall & Lellinger; M. nitidula Hall & Lellinger; Pellaea henryi Christ.
Rhizomes short, erect; scales bicolored, with black central stripe and brown margins, subulate-lanceolate. Leaves numerous, tufted. Petiole 620 cm X 11.5 mm, chestnut-colored to black, terete, densely covered with short reddish brown glandular hairs. Blade oblong to oblong-deltate, 412 X 36 cm, 2-pinnate-pinnatifid proximally, leathery or firmly papery, brownish green, glabrous on both surfaces; rachis, costae chestnut-colored, densely setose. Pinnae 35 pairs, Basal pair larger, deltate, 2.53.5 X 22.5 cm, subsessile; pinnules of basal pinnae 46 pairs, adnate to costae; basiscopic pinnules enlarged, proximal basiscopic pinnules largest, oblong, 1.52 X 0.81.5 cm, pinnatifid, with 57 pairs of lanceolate to deltate segments, other pinnules lanceolate or linear, slightly lobed or entire. Veins evident abaxially. False indusia continuous, brown, membranous, margins irregularly dentate. Sori at vein tips. 2n = 116.
On rock in woods and dry valley; 2002400 m; Fujian, Gansu, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Henan, Hunan, Jiangxi, Sichuan, Taiwan, Xizang, Yunnan, Zhejiang [Bhatan, India, Japan, Kashmir, Nepal, Pakistan, Sikkim, Vietnam].
8. Pellaea mairei Brause, Hedwigia 54: 201, t. 4c. 1914.
滇西旱蕨 dian xi han jue
Mildella mairei Hall & Lellinger.
Rhizomes short, erect; scales bicolored, with bright black central stripe and brown margins, elongate-lanceolate. Leaves tufted. Petiole 816 cm X 1.52 mm, dark chestnut-colored, lustrous, slightly grooved and somewhat setose adaxially when young, terete after mature, densely scaly at base, sparsely with small linear scales distally. Blade ovate-deltate or oblong-deltate, 612 X 47 cm, pinnate-pinnatifid, apex caudate, papery, brownish green when dry, glabrous; rachis chestnut-brown, slightly grooved adaxially, densely setose and with few small scales. Pinnae 35 pairs, basal pair larger, ovate-deltate, 2.55 X ca. 2 cm, stalked, apex long caudate (caudate portion ca. 2 cm); segments separate, basiscopic segments larger than acroscopic ones, proximal basiscopic segments largest, linear-lanceolate, 1.52 X 0.20.3 cm, margins entire or with 12 small lobes or crenate. Veins obscure adaxially, projecting abaxially. False indusia continuous, margins erose. Sori at vein tips.
*On crevices or stonewalls; 10003200 m; Guizhou, Hunan, Shaanxi (Ningshan), SW Sichuan, Yunnan.
Pellaea mairei looks much like P. nitidula except it has long caudate pinnae, separate segments, and scales on the petiole.
9. Pellaea yunnanensis Ching, Acta Phytotax. Sin. 20(2): 235. 1982.
云南旱蕨 yun nan han jue
Rhizomes short, erect; scales chestnut- black, lanceolate. Leaves tufted. Petiole to 19 cm X 1.52 mm, shiny, chestnut-black, glabrous above base. Blade ovate-pentagonal, 912 X ca. 9 cm, 2-pinnate-pinnatifid proximally, gradually to pinnatifid apex, papery when dry, brownish green, glabrous on both surfaces; rachis grooved adaxially, glabrous. Pinnae ca. 6 pairs, basal pair largest, deltate, 46 X ca. 5 cm, stalked (stalks 23 mm), apex acuminate; pinnules 45 pairs, acroscopic pinnules shorter than basiscopic ones, oblong-lanceolate, ca. 1.5 cm, proximal basiscopic pinnules largest, somewhat rhomboic-lanceolate, ca. 4 X 2 cm, sessile, base unequally cuneate, apex acuminate. Ultimate segments 34 pairs, acroscopic segments shorter than basiscopic ones, deltate-lanceolate, margins coarsely dentate or entire; 2d basiscopic segment largest, lanceolate, ca. 1.5 X 0.5 cm, margins shallowly lobed. Veins slightly projected abaxially. False indusia continuous or occasionally interrupted, margins somewhat erose. Sori at vein tips.
*Rock crevices in woods; 1500-1900m; Sichuan (Kangding), Yunnan (Kunming).
6. DORYOPTERIS J. Smith, J. Bot. 3: 404. 1841
黑心蕨属 hei xin jue shu
Plants terrestrial or on rock. Rhizomes creeping or short and erect, siphonostelic or solenostelic;
scales bicolored, with a dark and thick central band and brownish thin margins, lanceolate. Leaves
monomorphic or dimorphic, tufted or scattered. Petiole longer than blade, shiny, black, rounded,
or flattened and with single longitudinal groove adaxially, scaly at base, glabrous or occasionally
with sparse short hairs and scales distally. Blade usually palmatifid or trifid, sometimes simple,
margins entire, thick papery or herbaceous, glabrous on both surfaces; rachis, costae, and midrib
chestnut-black abaxially. Veins obscure, free or anastomosing, veinlets furcate, connected by
marginal commisural vein. False indusia formed by reflexed and modified leaf margins,
continuous, only interrupted at segment tips and sinus between segments, margins entire. Sori
bearing along commisural vein, concealed by false indusia. Spores globose-tetrahedral, brown,
reticulate or rarely echinate. x = 30, 29.
About 35 species: Africa, Australia, N America, S America, Asia; 2 species in China.
1a. Rhizomes short and erect; leaves monomorphic, tufted; veins free; petiole shallowly grooved adaxially ..............................................................................................................1. D. concolor
1b. Rhizomes long-creeping; leaves dimorpnic, scattered; veins anstomosing; petiole terete .2. D. ludens
1. Doryopters concolor (Langsdorff & Fischer) Kuhn in v. d. Decken, Bot. Ost-Africa 3 (3): 19. 1879.
黑心蕨 hei xin jue
Pteris concolor Langsdorff & Fischer, Ic. Fil. 19, t. 21. 1810; Allosorus concolor O. Kuntze; Cheilanthes concolor R. A. Tryon & A. F. Tryon; Doryopteris geraniifolia Klotzsch; Pellaea concolor Baker; P. contracta Fιe; Platyloma geraniifolium Lowe; Pteris cheilanthoides Hayata; P. geraniifolia Raddi.
Rhizomes short, erect. Leaves monomorphic, clustered. Petiole 624 cm X 12 mm, shallowly grooved adaxially, rounded abaxially. Blade pentagonal, as long as wide, 48 cm, base broadly cordate or hastate, apex acuminate, somewhat equally tripartite, papery when dry, adaxially brownish green, abaxially pale brown. Middle pinna broadly rhombic, 3.55 X 24 cm, base broadly cuneate, decurrent along rachis, pinnatipartite; basal pair of pinnules longest, pinnatifid or shallowly lobed; other pinnules entire. Lateral pair of pinnae deltate, 34.5 X 2.53.5 cm, base decurrent and connected to middle pinna with broad wings; basiscopic pinnules much longer than acroscopic ones, proximal basiscopic pinnule longest, pinnatipartite, other pinnules entire or at most grossly crenate. Veins free, obscure. Sori bearing along segment margins. 2n = 120.
On rock by stream under forest or by field side; 200800 m; Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, Taiwan [India, Indonesia, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Vietnam; Africa, Australia, C America, S America].
2. Doryopteris ludens (Wallich ex Hooker) J. Smith, Hist. Fil. 289. 1875.
戟叶黑心蕨 ji ye hei xin jue
Pteris ludens Wallich ex Hooker, Sp. Fil. 2: 210. 1858; Doryopteris wallichii J. Smith; Litobrochia ludens Beddome; L. smithii Moore; Pellaea ludens Prantl.
Rhizomes stout, long-creeping, ca. 4 mm in diam. Leaves dimorphic, distant or closely spaced. Petiole rounded, with a few scales proximally, sparsely with short hairs and 12 long hairs distally, glabrescent when old; fertile petiole longer than sterile one, 2040 cm. Blade of sterile leaf grossly divided, pentagonal-lanceolate or hastate, base deeply cordate or hastate, herbaceous, thick, grayish green adaxially, yellowish green abaxially when dry. Blade of fertile leaf broadly palmate or pentagonal-ovate, 1018 X 820 cm, base broadly cordate, apex caudate, pinnati- partite; pinnae (segments) 34 pairs, basal pair largest, 612 X 11.5 cm, base bifurcate or with 23 segments basiscopicly, distal pinnae (segments) entire. Veins anastomosing; areolae hexagonal, without included free veinlets; veins of sterile leaf free near margins, ending in submarginal hydathodes. 2n = 232.
Limestone rock by stream under woods; 400-1000 m; S Yunnan [Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam.
7. ALEURITIPTERIS Fιe, Gen. Fil. 153-154. 1852.
粉背蕨属 fen bei jue shu
Plants small, xeric, usually on rock. Rhizomes short, erect or ascending; scales brown, black-brown, or often bicolored with dark, central stripe and lighter margins, lanceolate. Leaves numerous, clustered. Petiole and rachis black, chestnut-black, or reddish-brown, shiny, terete, scaly proximally, distally glabrous, sparsely scaly or pubsent. Blade pentagonal, deltate-ovate, or deltate-oblong, bipinnatifid to tripinnatifid, abaxially farinose, farina yellow, white, or golden, rarely glabrous; rachis grooved adaxially, rounded abaxially. Pinnae sessile or subsessile, basal pinnae usually larger; proximal basiscopic segment strongly enlarged. Veins free, pinnate, uaually obscure. False indusia membranous or herbaceous, brown, grayish-brown, or rarely light green, continuous, or interrupted, margins entire, serrulate, or fimbriate. Sori consisting of 2--10 sporangia, rounded, at vein tips, separate when young, and often confluent at maturity. Spores globose-tetrahedral, trilete, reticulate, cristate, or granulate. X=29 or 30.
About 40 species, 29 species in China.
1a. Veins ebenous, prominently raised abaxially as rows of tiles on roof; sori consisting of 1 or rarely 2 large sporangium (monangial sori), annulus broad.
2a. Blade 710 cm; middle pinna pinnatifid; false indusia interrupted ...1. A. grevilleoides
2b. Blade 3.58 cm; middle pinna bipinnatifid; false indusia continous ..2. A. albofusca
1b. Veins green, slender, not raised abaxially; sori consisting of several small sporangia, annulus narrow.
3a. Blade usually pantagonal, nearly as long as broad; pinnae connected or only lower 1-3 pairs of pinnae separated by wingless rachis; false indusia continous, margins entire or undulate.
4a. Blade densely covered with ovate scales abaxially .3. A. squamosa
4b. Blade free from ovate scales abaxially.
5a. Blade covered with white or yellow farina abaxially.
6a. Blade small, usually less than 5 cm, covered with snow-white farina abaxially; sori consisting of 1-3 sporangia, discrete.
7a. Blade longer than petiole; petiole covered with scales and fibrous, cruely, long hairs, upward to rachis and costae .. .4. A. pygmaea
7b. Blade shorter than petiole; scaly at the base of petiole; rachis glabrous.
8a. Blade 3-pinnate-pinnatifid; basal pair of pinnae deltate, nearly equilateral, acroscopic pinnules pinnatifid .. . 5. A. speciosa
8b. Blade tripinnatifid; basal pair of pinnae right triangular, inequilateral, acroscopic pinnules simple, entire 6. A. niphobola
6b. Blade larger, usually more than 5 cm, covered with milky white or yellow farina abaxially; sori consisting of several sporangia, often confluent at maturity.
9a. Scales of rhizome ebenous, concolorous.
10a. Blade densely covered with large, obvious red glands and white farina abaxially ... 7. A. likiangensis
10b. Blade covered with milky yellow farina abaxially, and free from red glands . 8. veitchii
9b. Scales of rhizome bicolorous, with lighter margins.
11a. Blade covered with milky white farina abaxially.
12a. Second pair of pinnae short than the basal one and third one; ultimate segments wider.
13a. Ultimate segments deltate or ovate, broad, closely approaching ..9. A. tamburii
13b. Ultimate segments lanceolate, narrow, distantly apart...10. A. yalungensis
12b. Second pair of pinnae short than the basal one but longer than the third one; ultimate segments slender .. 11a. A. argentea
11b. Blade covered with milky yellow farina abaxially ...
.. ..12b. A. duclouxii var. sulphurea
5b. Blade free from farina abaxially.
14a. Pinnae curved upwards; acroscopic pinnules strongly shortend or abortive; blade coarsely divided, ultimate segments falcate . 12a. A. duclouxii
14b. Pinnae patent or oblique upwards, inequilateral, acroscopic pinnules shorter than basiscopic ones; blade finely divided, ultimate segments ovate or lanceolate.
15a. Blade glabrous abaxially; veins obscure .11b. A. argentea var. obscura
15b. Blade covered with apparent glands; veins distinct 11c. A. argentea var. qianguiensis
3b. Blade triangular-ovate, oblong-lanceolate, or oblong; pinnae usually 5-10 pairs or more, separated from each other by wingless rachis; false indusia usually interrupted, or rarely continous.
16a. Blade covered with white or yellow farina abaxially.
17a. Petiole densely covered with short, dark brown glands 13. A. sichouensis
17a. Petiole not covered with glands.
18a. Petiole scaly at base, sometimes up to rachis, but never extending to costae.
19a. Blade covered with milky yellow or golden yellow farina abaxially.
20a. Petiole ebenous, scaly at base; scales black, with brown margins 14. A. ebenipes
20b. Petiole reddish brown or ebony; scales reddish brown, concolorous, usually up to the middle of petiole.
21a. Blade covered with golden yellow farina abaxially; petiole scales linear-lanceolate 15. A. chrysophylla
21b. Blade covered with milky yellow farina abaxially; petiole scales broadly lanceolate .. 16. A. krameri
19b. Blade covered with white farina abaxially.
22a. Petiole and rachis densely covered with scales 17. A. formosana
22b. Petiole scaly at base.
23a. Rhizome scales black, lanceolate, chartaceous.
24a. Rhizome scales concolorous . 18. A. gongshanensis
24b. Rhizome scales bicolorous, with light margins.
25a. False indusia abortive or indistinct 19. A. doniana
25b. False indusia distinct.
26a. False indusia interrupted, with a laciniate margin ..20. A. anceps
26b. False indusia continuous or sometimes interrupted, margins entire or undulate.
27a. Petiole scales lanceolate; blade thin herbaceous; spores with a reticulate perine . 21. A. rosulata
27b. Petiole scales ovate-lanceolate; blade papyraceous or thin coriaceous; spores with an echinate perine. 22. A. grisea
23b. Rhizome scales brown, ovate-lanceolate, semi-pellucid, membranaceous.
28a. Blade covered with hairs along costae and veins abaxially 28b. A. subvillosa var. tibetica
28b. Blade glabrous, and free from hairs abaxially . 29. A. kuhnii
18b. Petiole, rachis, and costae covered with scales.
29a. Scales broadly lanceolate, distinctly bicolorous .. 23. A. albomarginata
29b. Scales narrowly lanceolate, reddish-brown, concolorous.
30a. Blade glabrous adaxially, scaly along costae and veins abaxially 24. A. dubia
30b. Blade hairy adaxially, covered with scales and hairs abaxially ..25. A. rufa
16b. Blade glabrous, and free from farina abaxially.
31a. False indusia interrupted, with a laciniate margin.
32a. Plant 30-40 cm tall; petiole terete; blade glabrous abaxially 26. A. dalhousiae
32b. Plant small, less than 15 cm; petiole sulcate distally; blade covered with brown glands along costae and veins abaxially 27. A. duthiei
31b. False indusia continuous, margins undulate 28. A. subvillosa
1. Aleuritopteris grevilleoides (Christ) G. M. Zhang, com. Nov.
中国蕨 zhong guo jue
Cheilanthes grevilleoides Christ in Lecomte, Not. Syst. 1: 51, f. 1A, B. 1909; Sinopteris grevilleoides (Christ) C. Christensen & Ching.
Rhizomes short, erect; scales bicolored, with black central stripe and brown margins, lanceolate. Leaves clustered. Petiole 1018 cm X ca. 2 mm. Blade pentagonal, as long as broad, ca. 710 cm, almost equally tripartite, leathery, brownish green adaxially when dry, with white farina abaxially. Middle pinna larger, oblong-lanceolate, 69 X 34.5 cm, base abruptly reduced, cuneate and decurrent, connected to lateral pinnae, apex shortly acuminate, pinnatifid; segments ca. 15 pairs, obliquely patent, linear-lanceolate, medial segments larger than proximal and distal ones, 23 X 0.30.5 cm, margins entire or with few gross teeth. Lateral pinnae deltate, 3.56 cm, inequilateral, 2-pinnatifid; proximal basiscopic pinnule especially enlarged, 34.5 X 11.5 cm, pinnatifid, connected to costule with narrow wings. Veins free, pinnate, close together and prominently raised abaxially as rows of tiles on roof. False indusia narrow, margins divided into deltoid gross teeth, concealing sori. Sori at vein tips, consisting of 1 (rarely 2) large sporangium, sporangium with broad annulus.
*Rock crevices by river or under shrubs; 10001800 m; N Sichuan (Qingchuan), W Yunnan (Binchuan, Dayao, Qiaojia).
2. Aleuritopteris albofusca (Baker) Pichi-Sermolli, Nuov. Giorn. Bot. Ital. Ser. 2. 53: 154. 1946.
小叶中国蕨 (xiao ye zhong guo jue)
Cheilanthes albofusca Baker, Kew Bull. 1895: 54. 1895; C. mairei Brause; Sinopteris albofusca Ching; S. hopeiensis C. Christensen & Ching.
Rhizomes short, erect; scales bicolored, with chestnut-black central stripe and narrow, brown margins, lanceolate. Leaves clustered. Petiole 412 cm X ca. 1 mm. Blade as long as broad, 3.56 cm, tripartite, leathery, dull green adaxially when dry, abaxially farinose, farina white. Middle pinna somewhat rhomboic, as long as wide, ca. 35 cm, base cuneate and decurrent, connected with lateral pinnae (rarely apart), apex acuminate, 2-pinnatifid; pinnules 45 pairs, proximal pair largest, to 3 X 0.40.8 cm, linear-lanceolate, apex obtuse or acute; ultimate segments 69 pairs, oblong or triangular, margins entire, apex obtuse or obtusely acute. Lateral pinnae triangular, 24 X 23 cm, inequilateral, 2-pinnatifid; proximal basiscopic segment especially enlarged, 12 X 0.30.6 cm, lanceolate or oblong, apex shortly acuminate or acute, pinnatifid, connected to costule with narrow wings. Veins free, prominently raised abaxially. False indusia usually wide, continuous, margins irregularly undulate-crenellate. Sori at vein tips.
*Rock crevices under woods and shrubs; 5003200 m; Gansu (Wenxian), Guizhou, Hebei, S Hunan, Sichuan, Xizang, Yunnan.
3. Aleuritopteris squamosa (Hope & C. H. Wright) Ching, Hongk. Nat. 10: 199. 1941.
毛叶粉背蕨 mao ye fen bei jue
Pellaea squamosa Hope & C. H. Wright, Journ. Linn. Soc. 35: 518. 1903; Cheilanthes hopeana C. Christensen; Doryopteris squamosa C. Christensen.
Rhizomes short, erect; scales brown, with lighter margins, lanceolate. Leaves clustered. Petiole 515 cm, chestnut-colored, densely covered with yellowish brown, lanceolate scales, then becoming sparsely. Blade pentagonal, nearly as long as broad, 510 cm, apex shortly acuminate, 3-pinnatipartite, thick papery when dry, brownish green, adaxially glabrous, abaxially with snow-white farina and semi-pellucid, light brown, broadly lanceolate scales, scale margins serrulate. Pinnae 57 pairs, connected with narrow wings; basal pair largest, nearly triangular, 45 cm, obliquely patent upwards, 2-pinnatipartite; pinnules 46 pairs, proximal basiscopic pinnule largest, 33.5 X 11.5 cm, obliquely patent, ultimate segments 34 pairs, 38 X ca. 2 mm; second and upper pairs of pinnae gradually shortened distally, lanceolate or oblong-lanceolate, apex shortly acute, base decurrent and connected to rachis with broad wings, pinnatipartite. False indusia narrow, membranous, continuous, margins entire. Sori consisting of few sporangia.
*On rock crevices or under shrubs in dry-hot valley; 4001000 m; Hainan, S Yunnan.
This species is an outstandingly dintinct one, and distinguished from all other members of Aleuritopteris by the dense, large, and broadly lanceolate scales on the under side of leaves, which is further coated with snow-white farina.
4. Aleuritopteris pygmaea Ching ex S. K. Wu, Acta Phytotax. Sin. 19 (1): 61. 1981.
矮粉背蕨 ai fen bei jue
Plants small, 2.53 cm. Rhizomes short, ascending; scales bright dark brown, with light brown, entire margins, lanceolate. Leaves clustered. Petiole 12 cm, reddish brown, densely covered with scales like those of rhizomes and fibrous, cruely, long hairs, upward to rachis and costae. Blade ovate, 1.31.5 X ca. 1 cm, bipinnatifid, papyraceous when dry, adaxially glabrous, abaxially with snow-white farina and sparse jointed hairs. Pinnae 34 pairs, opposite, slightly oblique upwards; basal pair of pinnae widely separated from the adjacent one, ca. 0.6 cm long, pinnatipartite, ultimate segments 34 pairs, obliquely patent, basal basiscopic segment larger, entire; second pair of pinnae nearly equal to or slightly longer than basal one, base decurrent or not. Veins obscure. Sori sparse, consisting of 23 sporangia, separated from each other. False indusia narrow, linear, far from midvein, margins entire.
*Rock crevices in valley; 38003900 m; Xizang.
This species is the smallest one in Aleuritopteris. It is distinguished from other members by its reddish brown petiole, which is densely covered with scales and cruely, long hairs.
5. Aleuritopteris speciosa Ching & S. K. Wu, Acta Phytotax. Sin. 19 (1): 61. t. 3. f. 4-6. 1981.
美丽粉背蕨 mei li fen bei jue
Rhizomes short, erect; scales reddish brown, narrowly lanceolate. Leaves usually clustered. Petiole 1018 cm X 1 mm, reddish brown, lustrous. Blade pentagonal, nearly as long as broad, ca. 4 cm, apex shortly acuminate, base deeply cordate, 3-pinnate-pinnatifid, coriaceous to thin leathery when dry, dark green, adaxially glabrous or with sparse white farina, abaxially with dense snow-white farina; rachis, costae, and costules dark brown, lustrous. Pinnae 34 pairs, opposite, oblique, separated from each other; basal pair largest, deltate, ca. 2 X ca. 2 cm, apex acuminate, 2-pinnate-pinnatifid, acroscopic pinnules pinnatifid, proximal basiscopic pinnule larger, ca. 1.5 X ca. 1 cm, elliptic, 1-pinnate-pinnatifid; second and upper pairs of pinnae gradually shortened distally, pinnatifid. Veins pinnate, obscure. Sori consisting of 12 sporangia, borne at vein tips, discrete. False indusia thick membranous, pale green, broad, nearly to midvein.
*Rock crevices; ca. 3030 m; E Xizang (Zhagyab).
A rare small fern. There is only type specimen in PE.
6. Aleuritopteris niphobola (C. Christensen) Ching, Hongk. Nat. 10: 197. 1941.
雪白粉背蕨 xue bai fen bei jue
Cheilanthes niphobola C. Christensen, Acta Hort. Gothob. 1: 88. t. 19. f. b-e. 1924; Aleuritopteris niphobola Ching var. pekingensis Ching & Hsu.
Rhizomes short, erect; scales reddish brown, or often bicolorous with dark central stripe and lighter margins, lanceolate. Leaves clustered. Petiole 413 cm X ca. 1 mm, reddish brown or ebony, glabrous or occasionally with sparse scales as those of rhizome. Blade pentagonal, nearly as long as broad, 1.54 cm, tripinnatifid, papyraceous or herbaceous when dry, dark green, adaxially glabrous; rachis and costae of the same color as petiole. Pinnae 23 pairs, connected to rachis with narrow wings; basal pair largest, right triangular, inequilateral, bipinnatifid; proximal basiscopic pinnule largest, pinnatifid, ultimate segments tongue-shaped, marginal entire; second pinnae pinnatifid or entire, oblong-lanceolate or lanceolate. Veins pinnate, obscure. Sori consisting of 13 sporangia, borne at vein tips, discrete. False indusia broad, pale green, continuous, margins entire.
*Two varieties in China.
6a. Aleuritopteris niphobola (C. Christensen) Ching var. niphobola
雪白粉背蕨 (原变种) xue bai fen bei jue (yuan bian zhong)
Frond densly covered with snow-white farina abaxially.
*Rock crevices; 3003400 m; Gansu, Hebei, Nei Mongol, Ningxia, Shaanxi, Shanxi, Sichuan, Xizang.
6b. Aleuritopteris niphobola (C. Christensen) Ching var. concolor Ching, Fl. Tsingling. 2: 66. 207. 1974.
无粉雪白粉背蕨 (变种) wu fen xue bai fen bei jue (bian zhong)
Frond glabrous, without white farina abaxially.
*Rock crevices; 13002000 m; Gansu (zhouqu).
7. Aleuritopteris likiangensis Ching ex S. K. Wu, Acta Phytotax. Sin. 19 (1): 64. 1981.
丽江粉背蕨 li jiang fen bei jue
Rhizomes short, erect; scales reddish brown to black, concolorous, narrowly lanceolate. Leaves clustered. Petiole 520 cm X 1.52 mm, ebony, lustrous, base covered with reddish brown, lanceolate scales. Blade ovate-pentagonal, (4) 615 X (4) 612 cm, 3-pinnatipartite, apex elongate-acuminate or caudate, base cordate, thin coriaceous when dry, dark green, adaxially glabrous, abaxially with large, obvious red glands and white farina; rachis and costae of the same color as petiole. Pinnae 24 pairs, sessile, basal pair largest, nearly triangular, 2-pinnatipartite; pinnules 45 pairs, proximal basiscopic pinnule largest, 46.5 cm X 34 mm 1-pinnatipartite; second and third pinnae gradually shortened distally, 1-pinnatipartite, narrowly triangular. Veins pinnate, obscure. Sori at vein tips, rounded, confluent at maturity. False indusia continuous, margins entire.
*Rock crevices by dry, hot valleys; 15002900 m; SW Sichuan, NW Yunnan.
8. Aleuritopteris veitchii (Christ) Ching, Hongk. Nat. 10: 200. 1941.
金爪粉背蕨 jin zhua fen bei jue
Doryopteis veitchii Christ, Bull. Acad. Int. Gιogr. Bot. 16: 134. 1906; Aleuritopteris cremea Ching; Cheilanthes veitchii Ching.
Rhizomes short, ascending; scales chestnut-brown, concolorous, narrowly lanceolate, apex subulate. Leaves clustered. Petiole 815 cm, chestnut-red or dark brown, lustrous, covered with reddish brown, linear scales at base. Blade ovate-pentagonal, 715 X 510 cm, 2-pinnate-pinnatifid, apex caudate, chartaceous when dry, brownish green, adaxially glabrous, abaxially with lemon-yellow farina; rachis and costae of the same color as petiole. Pinnae 45 pairs, sessile, separated from each other, basal pair largest, nearly triangular, 1-pinnate-pinnatifid; pinnules 47 pairs, proximal basiscopic pinnule largest, 34 X 12 cm, 1-pinnatifid; ultimate segments oblong or ovate. Veins pinnate, obscure. Sori at vein tips. False indusia membranaceous, continuous, margins entire.
*Rock crevices; 13002000 m; S & SW Sichuan.
In previous references, this species was usually confused with Aleuritopteris duclouxii (Christ) Ching var. sulphurea Ching, which has bicolorous scales on rhizomes. Aleuritopteris veitchii also resembles A. likiangensis, but the latter has white farina and obvious, red glands on the under side of leaves.
9. Aleuritopteis tamburii (Hooker) Ching, Hongk. Nat. 10: 198. 1941.
阔羽粉背蕨 kuo yu fen bei jue
Pellaea tamburii Hooker, Sp. Fil. 2:134. t. 129A. 1858; Allosorus tamburii (Hooker) O. Ktze; Aleuritopteis tamburii (Hooker) Ching var. viridis H. S. Kung; Cheilanthes argentea Kze. var. tamburii Beddome; C. tamburii (Hooker) Moore; Doryopteris tamburii (Hooker) C. Christensen.
Plant 3050cm. Rhizomes short, erect; scales brown or reddish brown, bicolorous, lanceolate. Leaves clustered. Petiole 1035 cm X ca. 3 mm, chestnut-red, lustrous. Blade pentagonal, 815 (24) X 612 (18) cm, 3-pinnatifid, herbaceous or papyraceous when dry, adaxially glabrous, abaxially with snow- white farina; rachis and costae chestnut-brown. Pinnae 35 pairs, sessile, connected to each other with broad wings; basal pair largest, 78 X 45 cm, triangular, obliquely patent upwards, 2-pinnatifid; pinnules 45 pairs, proximal basiscopic pinnule largest; second pair of pinnae short than the basal one and third one, simple, triangular; other pairs gr