TECTARIACEAE [Draft]

叉蕨科  cha jue ke

Dong Shiyong (董仕勇);

 

Terrestrial ferns. Rhizomes usually erect, rarely prostrate or creeping, covered with lanceolate scales. Fronds tufted or rarely proximate, 1-pinnate to decompound, fertile fronds conforming to sterile ones or rarely otherwise. Vascular structure of stipes usually consisting of a ring of vascular bundles; stipes and rachis adaxially grooved, costae adaxially grooved or not, if grooved, the costae grooves not open to rachis grooves; for most genera, rachis and costae adaxially covered with ctenitoid hairs; veins free to amply anastomosing, usually with hairs in one or both surfaces, sometimes, glands present on abaxial surface of veinlets. Sori usually round, separate, covered with reniform indusia, or sori exindusiate and sporangia spreading along veins. Spores ellipsoidal, monolete; perispore echinate, or folded into wings or crests, the wings variously anastomosing. n = 40, 41.

 

A family of about 15 genera with ca. 400 species: pantropical; 9 genera in China.

 

1a. Each sinus between two pinna- or pinnule-lobes bearing a small tooth.(2)

1b. Sinuses lacking such teeth.(3)

2a. Veins free; fronds 1-pinnate, no glands on adaxial surface of lamina ..........................  1. Pteridrys

2b  Veins along costae and costules anastomosing; fronds mostly 2- to 3-pinnate, many cylindric glands on abaxial surface of lamina .......................................................................................................  2. Pleocnemia

3a. Veins free.(4)

3b. Veins ± anastomosing.

4a. Rhizome creeping or suberect; margins of ultimate pinnules with thickened and decurrent; rachis and costae adaxially covered with acicular hairs ...........................................................................  3. Lastreopsis

4b. Rhizome usually erect; margins of ultimate pinnules not thickened and decurrent; rachis and costae adaxially covered with thick hairs.

5a. Scales on all axes of frond clathrate and ± iridescent ..................................................  4. Ctenitis

5b. Scales not clathrate and ± iridescent.(6)

6a. Costae adaxially grooved; no veinlets spring from costae ..........................................  5. Dryopsis

6b. Costae adaxially convex; some veinlets between axes of pinnules or lobes spring from costae  6. Ctenitopsis

7a. Fertile not or slightly contracted; sori round, separate, usually indusiate.(8)

7b. Fertile much contracted; sporangia not forming sori but borne densely along veinlets.(9)

8a. Veins partly anastomosing, only those along costae or costules anastomosing, areoles without included free veinlets ......................................................................................................................  6. Ctenitopsis

8b. Veins fully anastomosing, areoles with included free veinlets ........................................  7. Tectaria

9a. Plants much larger; lamina hairless ....................................................................  8. Hemigramma

9b. Small plants, fronds less than 20 cm; many hairs on lamina .....................................  9. Quercifilix

 

1. PTERIDRYS C. Chr. & Ching, Bull. Fan. Mem. Inst. Biol. Bot. 5: 129. 1934.

 

牙蕨属  ya jue shu

 

Terrestrial, plants 1–2 cm tall. Rhizome creeping, ascending or erect, its apex and bases of stipes covered with lanceolate scales, scales brown, entire at edge. Fronds closed or clustered; stipes light or dark stramineous to brown; scales on stipe-base, 0.8–1.5 cm long, entire at edge. Lamina elliptic, oblong or ovate-lanceolate, widest at middle or at base, 2-pinnatifid and 1-pinnatifid at apex; the basal pair of pinnae largest or not, lanceolate or broad-lanceolate, its basiscopic lobes elongate or not; distal pinnae not adnate to the rachis, pinnae ± deeply lobed, with a tooth projecting out of the plane of the lamina in each sinus between two lobes; veins free; lamina papyraceous or herbaceous, usually hairless on both surfaces; rachises grooved on adaxial surface, hairless, and costae raised on adaxial surface, hairless or sometimes with short sparse hairs on adaxial surface. Sori terminal or dorsal on veins, medial, one line on either side of costules; indusia present, persistent or fugacious; spores ellipsoidal to spheroidal, perispore consisting of anastomosing wings. n = 41.

 

7 species in tropical Asia, from NE India, Sri Lanka, S China, to Indochina Peninsula, Malaysia, Indonesia and Pacific islands, 3 in China.

 

1a. Basal pinnae petiolate, 1–4 cm long, pinna-lobe 3–5 cm long; sori dorsal on veins, (10)15–17 pairs in each lobe        1. P. cnemidaria

1b. Basal pinnae subsessile, 0.1–0.4 cm long, pinna-lobe 2–3 cm long; sori terminal on veins, 4–8 pairs in each lobe.(2)

2a. Basal basiscopic lobe of basal pinna elongate and pinnatifid; costae hairless on abaxial surface  2. P. lofouensis

2b. Basal basiscopic lobe of basal pinna not elongate, entire; costae with short hairs on abaxial surface  3. P. australis

 

1. Pteridrys cnemidaria (Christ) C. Chr. & Ching, Bull. Fan. Mem. Inst. Boil. Bot. 5: 136, pl. 12, 18 fig. 8–9, 20 fig. 19. 1934.

 

薄叶牙蕨  bao ye ya jue

 

Dryopteris cnemidaria Christ, Bull. Acad. Gιogr. Bot. Mans 140. 1910.

 

Rhizome creeping or erect, plants 1.2–1.5 m tall; stipe 0.6–1 m long, stramineous, with sparse scales at base; scales lanceolate, appressed, 10–15 Χ 1–2 mm; lamina ca. 1.2 Χ 0.6 m, 2-pinnatifid, lateral pinnae ca. 30 pairs; basal pinna usually largest, broadly lanceolate, 25–46 Χ 4–10 cm, deeply lobed nearly to costae, pinna-petiole 1–4 cm, basal basiscopic lobe slightly elongate; pinna-lobes 30–34 pairs, (2)3–5 Χ 0.6–0.8 cm, ± crenate at edge, acute at apex, with a sharp tooth in each lobe-sinus; lamina papyraceous, greenish when dry; costae hairless; veins free, veinlets 15–18 pairs on each lobe, veinlets 2- to 4-furcate; sori dorsal on veinlets, (10)15–17 pairs on each lobe; indusia persistent, glabrous.

 

In forest; 100–1300 m. Guangxi, Guizhou, Taiwan and Yunnan [Myanmar, India, Laos and Vietnam].

 

2. Pteridrys lofouensis (Christ) C. Chr. & Ching, Bull. Fan. Mem. Inst. Boil. Bot. 5: 141, pl. 19, fig. 14. 1934.

 

云贵牙蕨  yun gui ya jue

 

Dryopteris lofouensis Christ, Bull. Acad. Gιogr. Bot. Mans 134. 1910.

 

Rhizome ascending or suberect, plants 0.8–1.3 m tall; stipe ca. 0.5 m long, brown, with dense scales at base; scales lanceolate, 6–8 Χ ca. 1 mm; lamina 0.7–1 Χ 0.3–0.6 m, 2-pinnatifid, lateral pinnae ca. 15 pairs; basal pinna usually largest, lanceolate, usually 20–25 Χ 3–4 cm, lobed 1/2 to 2/3 towards costule, pinna-petiole 1–2 mm, basal basiscopic lobe copiously elongate; pinna-lobes 20–25 pairs, 2–3 Χ 0.5–0.8 cm, slightly serrate at edge, obtuse at apex, with a sharp tooth in each lobe-sinus; lamina herbaceous or thin papyraceous, brown when dry; costae hairless; veins free, veinlets 7–8 pairs on each lobe, veinlets 2- to 3-furcate; sori terminal or subterminal on veinlets, 5–7 pairs on each lobe; indusia persistent, glabrous.

 

• In forest or shrub; ca. 1200 m. Guizhou and Yunnan.

 

3. Pteridrys australis Ching, Bull. Fan. Mem. Inst. Boil. Bot. 5: 142, pl. 15–16, 19 fig. 12–13. 1934.

 

毛轴牙蕨  mao zhou ya jue

 

Pteridrys nigra Ching & Chu H. Wang.

 

Rhizome creeping, plants 0.7–1.5 m tall; stipe 0.3–0.6 m long, dark-stramineous or brown, with dense scales at base; scales lanceolate, 5–7 Χ 1–2 mm; lamina 0.4–0.8 Χ 0.2–0.3 m, 2-pinnatifid, lateral pinnae 12–15 pairs; basal pinna longest or shortest, lanceolate, 9–27 Χ 3–5 cm, lobed 1/2 to 2/3 towards costule, pinna-petiole 1–4 mm, basal basiscopic lobe slightly shortened; pinna-lobes 20–26 pairs, 1.5–2 Χ 0.5–0.8 cm, slightly serrate at edge, obtuse at apex, with a sharp tooth in each lobe-sinus; lamina thick papyraceous, brown when dry; costae covered with short hairs on abaxial surface; veins free, veinlets 8–10 pairs on each lobe, veinlets 2- to 3-furcate; sori terminal on veinlets, 5–7 pairs on each lobe; indusia fugacious, long hairs presenting on indusium.In forest along stream; 100–700 m. Guangdong and Yunnan [Malaysia, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam].

 

2. PLEOCNEMIA C. Presl, Tent. Pterid. 183, pl. 7, fig. 12. 1836.

 

黄腺羽蕨属  huang xian yu jue shu

 

Terrestrial, plants (60)100–200 cm tall. Rhizome erect or rarely creeping, its apex and bases of stipes densely covered with narrow linear scales. Fronds clustered; stipes usually dark brown at base and light brown upwards; scales on stipe-base narrow, 1.5–3 cm long, usually twisted, their edges entire or finely toothed. Lamina ovate to subpentagonal, widest at base, 2-pinnate to 4-pinnatifid; the basal pair of pinnae always the largest, triangular, with greatly enlarged basiscopic pinnules; distal pinnae or pinnules adnate to the rachis or costae and ± decurrent at their bases, pinnae and pinnules ± deeply lobed, with a tooth projecting out of the plane of the lamina in each sinus between two lobes; veins along costae anastomosing, without free veinlets within areoles; lamina papyraceous or rarely membraneous, usually hairless on both surfaces and with cylindric glands along costules and veins on abaxial surface; rachis and costae usually raised on both surfaces, ctenitoid hairs presenting on adaxial surface of rachis. Sori usually dorsal on free veins; indusia present or not; spores ellipsoidal to spheroidal, perispore compressed in winglike folds or cristate with echinulae. n = 41.

 

About 20 species in tropical Asia, from NE India, SE China, throughout Malaysia to Samoa, two in China.

 

1a. Stipe-base scales toothed at edge; sori indusiate; perispore sharply echinate ....  1. P. cumingiana

1b. Stipe-base scales entire at edge; sori usually exindusiate; perispore forming winglike folds  2. P. winitii

 

1. Pleocnemia cumingiana C. Presl, Epim. Bot. 50. 1849.

 

台湾黄腺羽蕨  tai wan huang xian yu jue

 

Aspidium rufinerve Hayata; Pleocnemia rufinervis (Hayata) Nakai.

 

Rhizome prostrate; stipe 90–100 cm long; scales on apex of rhizome and base of stipe ca. 2 mm wide at base, 2.5–3 cm long, edges conspicuously toothed; lamina 80–90 Χ ca. 100 cm, 3- to 4-pinnatifid; basal pinna largest, ca. 50 Χ 30 cm, its basal basiscopic primary pinnule elongate, ca. 30 cm long; pinnules of middle pinnae lobed over 3/4 towards costules, lobes crenate at margin, sinuses between two lobes 3–5 mm wide, with a triangular tooth in each sinus; lamina papyraceous, veins forming one or two rows of costal areoles and one row of costular areoles, other veins free; costules and veins bearing yellow glandular hairs on abaxial surface; sori medial, dorsal on free veins; indusia persistent; perispore densely spiny.

 

In forest. Taiwan [Indonesia and Philippines; Pacific islands].

 

I have not seen any collections of P. cumingiana from Taiwan and the description here is based on Holttum’s description (Holttum, 1954 & 1974).

 

2. Pleocnemia winitii Holttum, Reinwardtia 1: 181. 1951.

 

黄腺羽蕨  huang xian yu jue

 

Aspidium submembranaceum Hayata; Pleocnemia hamata Ching & Chu H. Wang; P. kwangsiensis Ching & Chu H. Wang; P. submembranacea (Hayata) Tagawa & K. Iwats.

Rhizome prostrate; stipe (20)60–100 cm long; scales on apex of rhizome and base of stipe 0.5–0.1 mm wide at base, ca. 1.5 cm long, edges entire; lamina (50)120–200 Χ (50)100–130 cm, 3- to 4-pinnatifid; basal pinna largest, 30–60 Χ 20–40 cm, its basal basiscopic primary pinnule elongate, 20–30 cm long; pinnules of middle pinnae lobed 1/2 to 2/3 towards costules, lobes entire or crenate at margin, sinuses between two lobes 1–2(4) mm wide, with a triangular tooth in each sinus; lamina papyraceous, veins along costae and those at base of costules anastomosing, other veins free; costules and veins bearing many orange cylindric glands on abaxial surface; sori medial, dorsal on free veins; indusia absent or rarely present and persistent; perispore having a continuous wing with some cross-wings. n = 41*.

 

In forest; 120–1000 m. Guangdong, Guangxi, Fujian, Hainan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Yunnan [Myanmar, NE India, Thailand and Vietnam].

 

Pleocnemia conjugata (Blume) C. Presl was reported in Hong Kong (Holttum, 1974) and later also reported in Hainan (Wu, Fl. Guangdong. 7: 248. 2006). When studying the specimens named as P. conjugata from Hong Kong and Hainan, I found that they were actually P. winitii but wrongly identified as P. conjugata due to the indusia present in the specimens. Besides the different perispore, scales on stipes are distinctly different: stipe-scales entire in P. winitii but conspicuously dentate in P. conjuata. The character sori exindusiate is not always constant in P. winitii.

 

3. LASTREOPSIS Ching, Bull. Fan. Mem. Inst. Biol. 8(4): 157. 1938.

 

节毛蕨属  jie mao jue shu

 

Terrestrial, plants 40–120 cm tall. Rhizome creeping or ascending, its apex and the bases of stipes densely covered with lanceolate scales. Fronds closely placed or 1–3 cm apart; stipes brown to stramineous, with scales only at base; scales lanceolate, brown or dark brown without iridescence. Lamina ovate to pentagonal, 3- to 5-pinnate; the basal pair of pinnae largest, triangular, basal basiscopic pinnules of basal pinnae longest; distal pinnae or pinnules adnate to the rachis or costae and decurrent at their bases; veins all free, veinlets on ultimate pinnules or lobes simple or forked, usually not reaching the margin of leaf-segments; texture of lamina herbaceous, with hairs on both surfaces; pinna-rachis and costae of pinnules prominent, densely covered with hairs. Sori usually terminal on veins and near margin of pinna-lobes; indusia present or not; spores ellipsoidal to spheroidal, perispore with inflated folds or tubercles, sometimes broadly winged. n = 41.

 

About 35 species in pantropic and south temperate area, mostly in Australia, three in China.

 

1a. Sori indusiate.(2)

1b. Sori exindusiate ................................................................................................ 3. L. subrecedens

2a. Rhizome less than 0.5 cm in diam., stipe approximate; lamina 3-pinnate to 4-pinnatifid at base, with abundant glands on abaxial surface; hairs on lamina consisting of 3–6 cells .....................................  1. L. tenera

2b. Rhizome to 1.5 cm in diam., stipe distant (1–3 cm apart); lamina 4-pinnate to 5-pinnatifid at base, without glands on abaxial surface; hairs on lamina consisting of 10–25 cells ..............................  2. L. microlepioides

 

1. Lastreopsis tenera (R. Br.) Tindale, Victoria Naturalist 73(11): 181. 1957.

 

台湾节毛蕨  tai wan jie mao jue

 

Nephrodium tenerum R. Br., Prod. Fl. Nov. Holl. 149. 1810; Lastreopsis recedens (J. Sm.) Ching; L. simozawae Tagawa; Polypodium recedens J. Sm.

 

Plant 25–50 cm tall. Rhizome creeping, ca. 0.5 cm in diam., covered with lanceolate scales. Stipe approximate, dark stramineous, 10–30 cm long, with sparse scales at base, stipe and other part of the whole plant densely clothed by soft hairs, hairs consisting of 3–6 cells, ca. 0.5 mm long; lamina ovate, 15–20 Χ 20–25 cm, 2- to 3-pinnate and at most 4-pinnatifid at base; pinnae ca. 10 pairs, usually only the basal pinnae shortly petiolate, all pinnae usually opposite to subopposite, primary pinnules anadromous at basal pinnae and catadromous at upper pinnae with rare exceptions; basal pinna largest, 7–10 Χ 10–18 cm, obliquely deltoid, pinna-petiole 0.3–0.4 cm long, with 8–10 pairs of primary pinnules and basal basiscopic pinnule longest; veins prominent on adaxial surface, not reaching or nearly reaching the margin of pinna-lobes, with abundant sphaeroid or short clavate orange glands on abaxial surface; sori terminal or subterminal on veins and usually near the margin of pinna-lobes; indusia small or large, hairless but with abundant sphaeroid glands at margin.

 

In forest. Taiwan [Australia, Sri Lanka, India, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines].

 

2. Lastreopsis microlepioides (Ching) W. M. Chu & Z. R. He, Acta Bot. Yunnan. 22(3): 259, pl. 2: 1–3. 2000.

 

云南节毛蕨  yun nan jie mao jue

 

Trichoneuron microlepioides Ching, Acta Phytotax. Sin. 10: 119, pl. 22. 1810.

 

Plant 80–120 cm tall. Rhizome creeping, ca. 1.5 cm in diam., covered with sparse scales. Stipe distant, 1–3 cm apart on rhizome, dark stramineous, 40–60 cm long, with sparse scales at base, stipe and other part of the whole plant densely clothed by soft hairs, hairs consisting of 10–25 cells, ca. 3 mm long; lamina elongate-ovate, 40–60 Χ 40–60 cm, 3- to 4-pinnate and 5-pinnatifid at base; pinnae 10–15 pairs, 2 pairs of basal pinnae petiolate and the rest subsessile to sessile, pinnae subopposite at base and alternate upwards, primary pinnules anadromous at basal pinnae and catadromous at upper pinnae; basal pinna largest, 25–30 Χ 15–20 cm, obliquely deltoid, pinna-petiole 1.5–2 cm long, with 14–20 pairs of primary pinnules and basal basiscopic pinnule longest; veins prominent on abaxial surface, obviously not reaching the margin of pinna-lobes, without glands on abaxial surface; sori at ends of veins, usually median between the margin and midrib of pinna-lobes; indusia large, hairless and bearing short glandula hairs at margin.

 

• In forest; ca. 1600 m. Yunnan.

 

3. Lastreopsis subrecedens Ching, Bull. Fan. Mem. Inst. Biol. Bot. 8(4): 160. 1938.

 

海南节毛蕨  hai nan jie mao jue

 

Plant 40–75 cm tall. Rhizome creeping, 1–1.5 cm in diam., covered with lanceolate scales. Stipe approximate, dark stramineous to brown, 18–38 cm long, with dense scales at base, stipe and other part of the whole plant densely clothed by soft hairs, hairs consisting of 5–8 cells, ca. 0.7 mm long; lamina pentagonal, 25–35 Χ 25–40 cm, 3-pinnate and 4-pinnatifid at base; pinnae 8–10 pairs, only the basal pinnae shortly petiolate, all pinnae usually opposite to subopposite, basal primary pinnules anadromous or subopposite at basal pinnae and catadromous at upper pinnae; basal pinna largest, 15–25 Χ 10–18 cm, obliquely deltoid, pinna-petiole 0.7–1.5 cm long, with 8–12 pairs of primary pinnules and basal basiscopic pinnule longest; veins prominent on adaxial surface, not reaching the margin of pinna-lobes, with sphaeroid yellow glands on abaxial surface; sori terminal on veins and near the margin of pinna-lobes; exindusiate.

 

• In forest; 700–1000 m. Hainan.

 

4. CTENITIS (C. Chr.) C. Chr. in Verdoorn, Man. Pteridol. 544. 1938.

 

肋毛蕨属  lei mao jue shu

 

Ataxipteris Holttum

 

Terrestrial, plants 10–140 cm tall. Rhizome erect or ascending, its apex and the bases of stipes densely covered with linear-lanceolate scales. Fronds clustered; stipes dark brown to stramineous, scaly throughout; scales including two different types: (a) lanceolate scales membranaceous, appressed and iridescent, and (b) subulate scales stiff, spreading and without obvious iridescence. Lamina oblong-lanceolate to ovate-triangular, widest at base, 1- to 4-pinnate; the basal pair of pinnae always the largest, triangular or broadly lanceolate, basal basiscopic pinnules of basal pinnae usually much produced; distal pinnae or pinnules ± adnate to the rachis or costae and ± decurrent at their bases; veins all free, veinlets on ultimate pinnules or lobes simple or rarely 2-forked to pinnate; texture of lamina herbaceous or rarely papyraceous, with ctenitoid hairs on upper surface and short glandular hairs on lower surface; pinna-rachis and costae of pinnules prominent, always covered with ctenitoid hairs. Sori medial; indusia present or not, sometimes very small and hidden by the mature sporangia; perispore echinate, coarsely folded or tuberculate. n = 41.

 

100–150 species in tropics and subtropics of Africa, American and Asia, ten in China.

 

1a. Scales on stipes, rachis，or at least those on lower surface of pinna-rachis, lanceolate, appressed.(2)

1b. Scales on stipes, rachis and on the lower surface of pinna-rachis subulate or nearly so (scales enrolled and hair-like), spreading.(5)

2a. Pinnae (except the basal one) 1-pinnatifid; veinlets obscure, some veinlets between pinna-lobes arising from pinna-rachis; perispore coarsely folded .............................................................................  1. C. sinii

2b. Pinnae (except the basal one) 2-pinnatifid; veinlets distinct, no veinlets arising from pinna-rachis; perispore coarsely folded or echinate.(3)

3a. Lamina thick-papyraceous; basal pinna broad-lanceolate with symmetric base; perispore coarsely folded     2. C. guidianensis

3b. Lamina herbaceous or papyraceous; basal pinna deltoid with asymmetric base, 2–3 basiscopic pinnules much produced; perispore echinate.(4)

4a. Sori indusiate, indusia usually fugacious or not well-developed; widespread in SE Asian  3. C. subglandulosa

4b. Sori exindusiate, usually covered by scales; endemic to Hunan and Sichuan
       4. C. pseudorhodolepis

5a. Lamina with only 2–3 pairs of free pinnae; pinnae shallowly lobed; some veinlets between pinna-lobes arising from pinna-rachis; perispore coarsely folded .......................................................... 5. C. dianguiensis

5b. Lamina with 5–15 pairs of free pinnae; pinnae 1- to 3-pinnate; no veinlets or rarely few veinlets arising from pinna-rachis; perispore coarsely folded, tuberculate or echinate.(6)

6a. Scales of stipes (above base) 3–8 mm long, subulate; indusia persistent or partly fugacious; perispore coarsely folded or tubercles.(7)

6b. Scales of stipes (above base) 1–3 mm long, linear to subulate; sori exindusiate; perispore echinate.(9)

7a. Free pinnae (except the base one) of the same large, 1-pinnatifid, pinna bases not broadened  6. C. mannii

7b. Free pinnae gradually reduced towards lamina apex, 1- to 2-pinnatifid, nearly all pinnae with broadened base.(8)

8a. Fronds 1–1.5 m long, 4-pinnatifid; scales on stipes (above base) and rachis rufescent, 6–8 mm long       7. C. decurrentipinnata

8b. Fronds 0.1–0.6 m long, 2- to 3-pinnatifid; scales on stipes (above base) and rachis dark-brown, 3–4 mm long  8. C. eatonii

9a. Sori usually covered by scales ......................................................................  9. C. dingnanensis

9b. Sori naked, without scales ........................................................................  10. C. jinfoshanensis

 

1. Ctenitis sinii (Ching) Ohwi, Fl. Jap. Pterid. 92. 1957.

 

厚叶肋毛蕨  hou ye lei mao jue

 

Tectaria sinii Ching in Bull. Dept. Biol. Sun Yatsen Univ. 6: 22. 1933; Ataxipteris sinii (Ching) Holttum; Ctenitopsis sinii (Ching) Ching.

 

Rhizome erect; scales at apex of rhizomes narrow lanceolate, reddish-brown, ca. 20 mm long. Stipe 30–55 cm long, brown to stramineous; scales above base of stipes lanceolate or ovate-lanceolate, 2–3 mm long, reddish-brown, appressed, scales on rachis and pinna-rachis alike but smaller. Lamina triangular-lanceolate, 30–60 Χ 20–45 cm, 2-pinnatifid to 3-pinnatifid, pinnae 3–8 pairs; the basal pinnae the largest, triangular, 14–25 Χ 9–16 cm, pinnules 1–3 pairs; basal basiscopic pinnules or lobes of basal pinnae the longest, 8–15 Χ 2.3–3.5 cm; base of upper pinnae or lobes obviously decurrent with veinlets arising from rachis. Lamina thick-papyraceous; veins free, invisible or obscure, with some veinlets arising from pinna-rachis. Sori medial. Surface of spore with coarse folds. 2n = 82*.

 

In forest; ca. 300 m. Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Hunan, Jiangxi [Japan].

 

2. Ctenitis guidianensis H. G. Zhou & W. M. Chu, Acta Bot. Yunnan. 17: 424, fig. 2. 1995.

 

桂滇肋毛蕨  gui dian lei mao jue

 

Rhizome suberect; scales at apex of rhizomes narrow lanceolate, dark brown, ca. 12 mm long. Stipe 50–90 cm long, brown to stramineous; scales above base of stipes ovate-lanceolate, ca. 3 mm long, brown, appressed, scales on rachis and pinna-rachis alike but smaller. Lamina ovate-lanceolate, 50–80 Χ 20–50 cm, 2-pinnate to 3-pinnatifid, pinnae 6–11 pairs; basal pinnae as large as the second, broadly lanceolate, 15–30 Χ 8–15 cm, pinnules 10–12 pairs; basal basiscopic pinnules of basal pinnae as long as the acroscopic one, 2–8 Χ 1–3 cm; base of upper pinnae or lobes not obviously decurrent without veinlets arising from rachis. Lamina thick-papyraceous; veins free, distinct, no veinlets arising from pinna-rachis except few in distal part of pinna-rachis. Sori medial or submedial, indusiate; indusia usually fugacious; surface of spore with inflated folds.

 

• In forest of limestone area; 850–1100 m. Guangxi, Yunnan.

 

3. Ctenitis subglandulosa (Hance) Ching, Bull. Fan. Mem. Inst. Biol. Bot. 8: 302. 1938.

 

亮鳞肋毛蕨  liang lin lei mao jue

 

Alsophila subglandulosa Hance, Ann. Sci. Nat. V, 5: 253. 1866; Ctenitis anyuanensis Ching & Chu H. Wang; C. calcarea Ching & Chu H. Wang; C. chungyiensis Ching & Chu H. Wang; C. costulisora Ching; C. maolanensis P. S. Wang; C. membranifolia Ching & Chu H. Wang; C. rhodolepis (Clarke) Ching; C. yunnanensis Ching & Chu H. Wang; Nephrodium rhodolepis Clarke.

 

Rhizome erect or suberect or prostrate; scales at apex of rhizomes liner, reddish-brown, 1.5–3 mm long. Stipe 40–50 cm long, dark stramineous; scales above base of stipes lanceolate or ovate-lanceolate, 2–3 mm long, reddish-brown, appressed, scales on rachis and pinna-rachis alike but smaller. Lamina ovate-triangular, 40–60 Χ 30–40 cm, 3-pinnate to 4-pinnatifid, pinnae 12–14 pairs; basal pinnae the largest, triangular, 18–22 Χ 12–16 cm, pinnules 10–12 pairs; basal basiscopic pinnules of basal pinnae the longest, 8–10 Χ 2.5–3.5 cm; base of upper pinnae or lobes not obviously decurrent without veinlets arising from rachis. Lamina herbaceous; veins free, distinct, no veinlets arising from pinna-rachis. Sori medial or submedial or near mid-rein, indusiate; indusia usually fugacious, hairless. Surface of spore with coarse echinae.

 

Usually in limestone area; near sea level to 1700 m. Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hainan, Hunan, Hubei, Jiangxi, Sichuan, Taiwan, Yunnan, Zhejiang [Bhutan, India, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam, Sikkim; SE Asia].

 

This is a widespread and morphologically variable species. The indusia of this species is very thin and colorless at the very early stage, then stops to or usually poorly develops. So the indusia can’t be seen on most herbaria materials, but in few cases, the indusia is distinct and persistent. The size and abundance of the scales on stipes and rachis, the color and abundance of the gland beneath lamina, as well as the abundance of hairs on lamina, are all variable. It was observed that the hairs beneath lamina present when the plants in open and dry area, or absent when the plants in forest. I’ve examined spore ornamentation of many samples in this species and found most samples having echinate perispore but one from Hainan and one from Yunnan having folded perispore. Two different types of spores indicate the species recognized here could be a complex.

 

4. Ctenitis pseudorhodolepis Ching & Chu H. Wang, Acta Phytotax. Sin. 19: 121. 1981.

 

棕鳞肋毛蕨  zong lin lei mao jue

 

Rhizome erect; scales at apex of rhizomes liner, reddish-brown, 1.5–1.8 mm long. Stipe 50–60 cm long, dark stramineous; scales above base of stipes narrowly lanceolate, 5–6 mm long, dark brown, appressed, scales on rachis and pinna-rachis alike but smaller. Lamina triangular, 40–50 Χ 35–45 cm, 3-pinnate to 4-pinnatifid, pinnae 8–10 pairs; basal pinnae the largest, triangular, 20–30 Χ 10–15 cm, pinnules 8–10 pairs; basal basiscopic pinnules of basal pinnae the longest, 8–10 Χ 3–4 cm; base of upper pinnae or lobes not obviously decurrent without veinlets arising from rachis. Lamina papyraceous; veins free, distinct, no veinlets arising from pinna-rachis. Sori submedial or near mid-rein, exindusiate, some sori covered by scales. Surface of spore with coarse echinae.

 

• Near streams in bamboo; 600–800 m. Hunan, Sichuan (Emei Shan).

 

5. Ctenitis dianguiensis (W. M. Chu & H. G. Zhou) S. Y. Dong, comb. nov.

 

滇桂肋毛蕨  dian gui lei mao jue

 

Ataxipteris dianguiensis W. M. Chu & H. G. Zhou, Acta Bot. Yunnan. 17: 423, fig. 1. 1995.

 

Rhizome suberect or prostrate; scales at apex of rhizomes narrow lanceolate, brown or dark brown, 10–15 mm long. Stipe 25–40 cm long, dark stramineous; scales above base of stipes subulate, 3–5 mm long, dark brown, spreading, scales on rachis and pinna-rachis alike but smaller. Lamina ovate-triangular, 25–40 Χ 15–25 cm, 2-pinnatifid, pinnae 2–4 pairs; basal pinnae the largest, triangular, 12–18 Χ 4–6 cm, deeply lobed without free pinnules; basal basiscopic lobes of basal pinnae the longest, 4–5 Χ 1–1.5 cm; base of upper pinnae or lobes obviously decurrent with veinlets arising from rachis. Lamina papyraceous; veins free, distinct, with some veinlets arising from pinna-rachis. Sori medial or submedial, exindusiate, without covering scales. Surface of spore with coarse folds.

 

• In forest of limestone area; 800–1400 m. Guangxi, Hainan, Yunnan.

 

6. Ctenitis mannii (Hope) Ching, Bull. Fan. Mem. Inst. Biol. Bot. 8: 289. 1938.

 

银毛肋毛蕨  yin mao lei mao jue

 

Nephrodium mannii Hope, J. Bot. 28: 145. 1893; Ctenitis fulgens Ching & Chu H. Wang.

 

Rhizome erect; scales at apex of rhizomes narrow lanceolate, brown, 5–7 mm long. Stipe 15–40 cm long, dark stramineous; scales above base of stipes subulate, 3–5 mm long, dark brown, spreading, scales on rachis and pinna-rachis alike but smaller. Lamina broadly lanceolate, 20–30 Χ ca. 10 cm, 2-pinnatifid to 3-pinnatifid, pinnae 10–12 pairs; basal pinnae the largest, triangular, 5–6 Χ ca. 4 cm, pinnules 5–8 pairs; basal basiscopic pinnules or lobes of basal pinnae the longest, ca. 3 Χ 1 cm; base of upper pinnae or lobes not obviously decurrent without veinlets arising from rachis. Lamina herbaceous; veins free, distinct, no veinlets arising from pinna-rachis. Sori medial, indusiate, indusia partly persistent. Surface of spore with coarse folds or tubercles.

 

In forest; 100–200 m. Yunnan (Hekou) [NE Indian].

 

7. Ctenitis decurrentipinnata (Ching) Ching, Bull. Fan. Mem. Inst. Biol. Bot. 8: 291. 1938.

 

海南肋毛蕨  hai nan lei mao jue

 

Dryopteris decurrentipinnata Ching, Bull. Fan. Mem. Inst. Biol. Bot. 2: 195, pl. 9. 1931.

 

Rhizome erect or suberect; scales at apex of rhizomes narrow lanceolate or liner-subulate, brown, 1.5–2 mm long. Stipe 40–70 cm long, stramineous; scales above base of stipes, subulate, 6–8 mm long, reddish-brown, spreading, scales on rachis and pinna-rachis alike but smaller. Lamina triangular-lanceolate, 60–80 Χ 30–50 cm, 3-pinnate to 4-pinnatifid, pinnae 12–18 pairs; basal pinnae the largest, triangular-lanceolate, 20–30 Χ 15–25 cm, pinnules 10–13 pairs; basal basiscopic pinnules of basal pinnae the longest, 10–20 Χ 3–6 cm; base of upper pinnae or lobes obviously decurrent with veinlets arising from rachis. Lamina herbaceous to thin-papyraceous; veins free, distinct, no veinlets arising from pinna-rachis except few in distal part of pinna-rachis. Sori medial or submedial, indusiate, indusia usually persistent. Surface of spore with coarse folds or tubercles.

 

In forest; 500–1400 m. Hainan [Philippines, Vietnam].

 

8. Ctenitis eatonii (Baker) Ching, Bull. Fan. Mem. Inst. Biol. Bot. 8: 291. 1938.

 

直鳞肋毛蕨  zhi lin lei mao jue

 

Nephrodium eatonii Baker, Syn. Fil. 276. 1867; N. leucostipes Baker; Ctenitis changanensis Ching; C. confusa Ching.

 

Rhizome erect or suberect; 0.5–1.5 scales at apex of rhizomes liner-subulate, dark brown, 5–12 mm long. Stipe 5–35 cm long, stramineous; scales above base of stipes subulate, 2–4 mm long, dark brown, spreading, scales on rachis and pinna-rachis alike but smaller. Lamina triangular-lanceolate, 7–35 Χ 5–15 cm, 2-pinnate to 3-ipinnatifid, pinnae 5–12 pairs; basal pinnae the largest, triangular-lanceolate, 2.5–13 Χ 1.5–7 cm, pinnules 2–10 pairs; basal basiscopic pinnules or lobes of basal pinnae the longest, 0.8–4.5 Χ 0.4–1.5 cm; base of upper pinnae or lobes not obviously decurrent without veinlets arising from rachis. Lamina herbaceous; veins free, distinct, no veinlets arising from pinna-rachis. Sori near mid-rein, indusiate, indusia usually persistent. Surface of spore with coarse folds or tubercles.

 

In wet place in forest or usually in limestone area; near sea level to 400 m. Guangdong, Guizhou, Guangxi, Hunan, Hubei, Jiangxi, Sichuan, Taiwan [S Japan].

 

9. Ctenitis dingnanensis Ching, Acta Phytotax. Sin. 19: 122. 1981.

 

二型肋毛蕨  er xing lei mao jue

 

Rhizome erect or suberect; scales at apex of rhizomes narrow lanceolate, reddish-brown, 10–20 mm long. Stipe 13–21 cm long, stramineous; scales above base of stipes linear-subulate, 2–3 mm long, brown, spreading, scales on rachis and pinna-rachis alike but smaller. Lamina triangular, 15–30 Χ 10–25 cm, 3-pinnatifid to 4-ipinnatifid, pinnae 6–8 pairs; basal pinnae the largest, triangular, 5–15 Χ 5–10 cm, pinnules 6–10 pairs; basal basiscopic pinnules of basal pinnae the longest, 4–9 Χ 1.5–3 cm; base of upper pinnae or lobes not obviously decurrent without veinlets arising from rachis. Lamina herbaceous; veins free, distinct, no veinlets arising from pinna-rachis. Sori submedial, exindusiate, some sori covered by scales. Surface of spore with echinate and thin wing.

 

• In forest; 300–700 m. Guangdong, Jiangxi.

 

10. Ctenitis jinfoshanensis Ching & Z. Y. Liu, Bull. Bot. Res. 4: 14, fig. 43. 1984.

 

金佛山肋毛蕨  jin fo shan lei mao jue

 

Rhizome suberect or prostrate; scales at apex of rhizomes narrow-lanceolate; reddish-brown, ca. 10 mm long. Stipe ca. 60 cm long, brown to stramineous; scales above base of stipes subulate, 5–6 mm long, brown, spreading, scales on rachis and pinna-rachis alike but smaller. Lamina broadly ovate, ca. 70 Χ 50 cm, 2-pinnate to 3-pinnatifid, pinnae 12 pairs; basal pinnae the largest, triangular, 20–25 Χ 13–15 cm, pinnules 12–15 pairs; basal basiscopic pinnules of basal pinnae the longest, 10–12 Χ ca. 3 cm, ultimate pinnule or pinna-lobe oblong, obtuse at apex; base of upper pinnae or lobes not obviously decurrent without veinlets arising from rachis. Lamina herbaceous; veins free, distinct, no veinlets arising from pinna-rachis. Sori medial, exindusiate, some covered by scales. Surface of spore with coarse echinae.

 

• In rocky crevices in forest; 700–800 m. Sichuan.

 

5. Dryopsis Holttum & P. J. Edwards, Kew Bull. 41: 179. 1986.

 

轴鳞蕨属  zhou lin jue shu

 

Terrestrial, plants 25–150 cm tall. Rhizome short, erect or rarely prostrate, its apex covered with lanceolate scales. Fronds tufted; stipes stramineous, brown or castaneous, scaly throughout, scales narrow- or ovate-lanceolate, brown or blackish brown, neither clathrate nor iridescence as those in Ctenitis. Lamina lanceolate or ovate, 1-pinnate with deeply lobed pinnae to amply 3-pinnate; basal pinnae oblong, lanceolate or triangular, usually not or little longer than the next pair, the basal basiscopic lobe or pinnule mostly not produced; distal pinnae adnate to rachis and ± decurrent at their bases; veins free; lamina papyraceous, with thick multicellular hairs on adaxial surface; rachises and costae grooved and densely covered with ctenitoid hairs or sometimes hair-scales (structure intermediate between hairs and scales) on adaxial surface, various scales present or not on abaxial surface. Sori terminal or dorsal on veins, medial to submarginal, one line on either side of costules; indusia present, persistent; spores ellipsoidal to spheroidal, perispore echinate or coarsely tuberculate. n = 41.

 

16 species in tropical and subtropical Asia, southwest to S India and Sri Lanka, east to Japan and Philippines, south to Malaysia and Indonesia, most in southern and southeastern Himalayas, 10 in China.

 

1a. Fronds 2-pinnate or rarely 3-pinnatifid, pinnules (if present) mostly adnate to pinna-rachis; scales on stipe base narrowly lanceolate, usually less than 1 mm wide; abaxial surface of pinna-rachis copiously scaly; perispore sharply echinate.(2)

1b. Fronds 3-pinnate to 4-pinnatifid, many free pinnules present; scales on stipe base broadly lanceolate or ovate-lanceolate, generally 2–5 mm wide; abaxial surface of pinna-rachis with few scales except in D. Χ fauriei; perispore with coarse tubercles.(8)

2a. Scales on abaxial surface of pinna-rachis more or less bullate.(3)

2b. Scales on abaxial surface of pinna-rachis flat.(7)

3a. Scales on abaxial surface of pinna-rachis slightly bullate; sori confined to distal parts of pinnules  1. D. apiciflora

3b. Scales on abaxial surface of pinna-rachis obviously bullate; sori on the whole length of pinnules.(4)

4a. Stipe stramineous or rarely dark brown; pinna-lobes entire, crenate or shallowly lobed, rarely pinnatifid; no or few scales on the abaxial surface of lobe-costae.(5)

4b. Stipe castaneous and polished; pinna-lobes usually shallowly pinnate to deeply lobed, rarely entire; many scales on the abaxial surface of lobe-costae.(6)

5a. Scales on abaxial surface of pinna-rachis all strongly bullate ..............................  2. D. kawakamii

5b. Scales near base of costae lanceolate and flat, grading to bullate toward pinna
apex .........................................................................................................................  3. D. truncata

6a. Scales on base of stipe few and short, ca. 0.5 cm long; sori on the whole length of pinnules  4. D. heterolaena

6b. Scales on base of stipe copious, ca. 1 cm long; sori usually confined to the distal parts of pinnules  5. D. dulongensis

7a. Pinnules or pinna-lobes with conspicuous hyaline margins .........................................  6. D. clarkei

7b. Pinnules or pinna-lobes lacking hyaline margins ..........................................................  7. D. nidus

8a. Rachis with few scales; indusia poorly developed and not seen, sometimes fully developed and persistent or fugacious .....................................................................................................  8. D. sphaeropteroides

8b. Rachis densely covered scales; indusia fully developed and persistent.(9)

9a. Sori on the whole length of pinnules; scales on abaxial surface of costae
few ..............................................................................................................  9. D. maximowicziana

9b. Sori confined to the distal parts of pinnules; scales on abaxial surface of costae copious  10. D. Χ fauriei

 

1. Dryopsis apiciflora (Wall ex Mett.) Holttum & P. J. Edwards, Kew Bull. 41: 189, fig. 6. 1986.

 

顶果轴鳞蕨  ding guo zhou lin jue

 

Aspidium apiciflorum Wall ex Mett., Abh. Senckenberg. Naturf. Ges. 4: 54. 1858; Ctenitis apiciflora (Wall ex Mett.) Ching.

 

Rhizome erect. Stipe stramineous to dark brown, 20–40 cm long, scales on stipe lanceolate, 10–12 Χ 1(–2.5) mm, blackish brown. Lamina lanceolate, 40–80 Χ 14–40 cm, 2-pinnate; free lateral pinnae 18–35 pairs, continuous; basal pinna slightly shortened, 7–15 Χ 1.5–2.5 cm, not reflexed; middle pinnae 7–18 Χ 2–4 cm; pinnules entire or rarely crenate, obtuse and entire at apex, hyaline margins lacking. Rachis and costae abaxially covered with many scales, scales on costae lanceolate near rachis and ± bullate distally, no scales or sometimes very few scales on costules. Veins on ultimate pinnules pinnate, with brown hairs and few gland-hairs on abaxial surface. Sori only on distal part of pinnules, contiguous, medial. Indusia distinct and persistent, entire or nearly so. Perispore echinate.

 

In forest; 1800–3200 m. Taiwan, Xizang, Yunnan [Bhutan, NE India, N Myanmar, Nepal, Sikkim].

 

2. Dryopsis kawakamii (Hayata) Holttum & P. J. Edwards, Kew Bull. 41: 186. 1986.

 

泡鳞轴鳞蕨  pao lin zhou lin jue

 

Dryopteris kawakamii Hayata, Coll. Sci. Imp. Univ. Tokyo 30(1): 416. 1911; Ctenitis jiulungshanensis P. C. Chiu & G. H. Yao; Ctenitis kawakamii (Hayata) Ching; Ctenitis mariformis (Rosenst.) Ching; Ctenitis sacholepis (Hayata) H. Ito; Dryopsis mariformis (Rosenst.) Holttum & P. J. Edwards; Dryopteris mariformis Rosenst.; Dryopteris sacholepis Hayata.

 

Rhizome erect. Stipe stramineous, 8–25 cm long, scales on stipe lanceolate, 3–6 Χ ca. 0.5 mm, brown. Lamina lanceolate, 20–60 Χ 8–15 cm, 2-pinnate; free lateral pinnae 20–32 pairs, ± spaced, or sometimes continuous; basal pinna distinctly shortened 3–5 Χ 1.2–1.8 cm, slightly reflexed; middle pinnae 4–10 Χ 1.2–2 cm; pinnules entire to distinctly crenated, obtuse, entire or sometimes slightly crenate at apex, hyaline margins lacking. Rachis and costae abaxially covered with many scales, scales on costae distinctly bullate, no scales on costules. Veins on ultimate pinnules pinnate and veinlets once forked, with castaneous gland on abaxial surface. Sori not confined to distal part of pinnules, medial to submarginal. Indusia distinct and persistent, entire or nearly so. Perispore echinate. 2n = 82.

 

• In forest; 400–3100 m. Chongqing, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hunan, Jiangxi, Sichuan, Taiwan, Yunnan, Zhejiang.

 

3. Dryopsis truncata (Ching & H. S. Kung) Holttum & P. J. Edwards, Kew Bull. 41: 188. 1986.

 

截头轴鳞蕨  jie tou zhou lin jue

 

Ctenitis truncata Ching & H. S. Kung, Acta Phytotax. Sin. 19: 123. 1981.

 

Rhizome erect. Stipe dark brown, ca. 14 cm long, scales on stipe lanceolate, 4–5 Χ ca. 0.5 mm, blackish brown. Lamina linear-lanceolate, ca. 31 Χ 8 cm, 2-pinnatifid to 2-pinnate; free lateral pinnae 28–30 pairs, ± spaced; basal pinna distinctly shortened, ca. 2 Χ 0.7 cm, slightly reflexed; middle pinnae ca. 3.5 Χ 0.9–1 cm; pinnules entire or nearly so, truncate and entire at apex, hyaline margins lacking. Rachis and costae abaxially covered with many scales, scales on costae lanceolate near rachis and bullate distally; no scales on costules. Veins on ultimate pinnules once forked, with light yellow gland-hairs on abaxial surface. Sori on the whole length of pinnules, separate, medial. Indusia distinct and persistent, entire or nearly so. Perispore echinate.

 

• In bamboo thickets, ca. 2350 m. Sichuan (Daxiangling).

 

There is only a sheet of type specimen for the present species. The type collection is very similar to Dryopsis kawakamii (Hayata) Holttum & P. J. Edwards but differs in costae bearing some lanceolate scales. I suspect that the type of D. truncata is an aberrant member of D. kawakamii, therefore, the field work is needed to resolve its true taxonomy.

 

4. Dryopsis heterolaena (C. Chr.) Holttum & P. J. Edwards, Kew Bull. 41: 185. 1986.

 

异鳞轴鳞蕨  yi lin zhou lin jue

 

Dryopteris heterolaena C. Chr., Acta Horti Gothob. 1(2): 62, pl. 17. 1924; Ctenitis chingii Z. Y. Liu & J. I. Chang; Ctenitis fengiana Ching; Ctenitis kwangsiensis Ching & P. S. Chiu; Ctenitis omeiensis Ching & Chu H. Wang; Ctenitis tibetica Ching & S.K. Wu; Ctenitis zhejiangensis Ching & C.F. Zhang; Dryopsis fengiana (Ching) Holttum & P. J. Edwards; Dryopsis kwangsiensis (Ching & Wang) Holttum & P. J. Edwards.

 

Rhizome erect. Stipe castaneous, 20–60 cm long, scales on stipe lanceolate, 5–8 Χ ca. 0.5 mm, blackish brown. Lamina lanceolate, 35–85 Χ 20–30 cm, 2-pinnate to 3-pinnatifid; free lateral pinnae 20–30 pairs, ± spaced; basal pinna, not shortened, or slightly shorter than the next one, 10–15 Χ 2.5–5 cm, not reflexed; middle pinnae 10–15 Χ 2–4 cm; pinnules usually deeply lobed, or rarely entire, obtuse and serrate at apex, hyaline margins lacking. Rachis costae abaxially covered with many scales, scales on costae distinctly bullate, also many bullate scales on abaxial surface of costules. Veins on ultimate pinnules pinnate, with dark brown or castaneous glands on abaxial surface. Sori not confined to distal part of pinnules, medial. Indusia distinct and persistent, entire or nearly so. Perispore echinate. n = 41*.

 

• In forest; 800–2400 m. Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hunan, Sichuan, Yunnan, Xizang, Zhejiang.

 

5. Dryopsis dulongensis (S. K. Wu & X. Cheng) S. Y. Dong, Acta Bot. Yunnan. 23: 187. 2001.

 

独龙江轴鳞蕨  du long jiang zhou lin jue

 

Ctenitis dulongensis S. K. Wu & X. Cheng, Acta Phytotax. Sin. 23: 402, pl. 3. 1985.

 

Rhizome erect. Stipe red-brown or castaneous, ca. 50 cm long, scales on stipe lanceolate, 10–12 Χ 0.8–1 mm, blackish brown. Lamina linear-lanceolate, ca. 98 Χ 34 cm, 2-pinnate to deeply 3-pinnatifid; free lateral pinnae 33–38 pairs, continuous; basal pinna not shortened, ca. 20 Χ 6 cm, not reflexed; middle pinnae ca. 20 Χ 4 cm; pinnules deeply lobed, obtuse and entire at apex, hyaline margins lacking. Rachis abaxially covered with many scales, scales on costae broad- or ovate- lanceolate and bullate at distal part, many scales on abaxial surface of costules. Veins on ultimate pinnules pinnate and veinlets single or forked, with light yellow gland on abaxial surface. Sori generally confined to distal part of pinnules, medial. Indusia distinct and persistent, entire or nearly so. Spores not developed.

 

• In evergreen broad-leaf forest; ca. 1700 m. Yunnan (Gongshan).

 

This species is only known from the type locality. The type specimen is morphologically intermediate between D. apiciflora and D. heterolaena, especially with large size of frond and abortive spores, the present species seems likely to be a hybrid from D. apiciflora and D. heterolaena.

 

6. Dryopsis clarkei (Baker) Holttum & P. J. Edwards, Kew Bull. 41: 181. 1986.

 

膜边轴鳞蕨  mo bian zhou lin jue

 

Nephrodium clarkei Baker, Syn. Fil. (ed. 2) 497. 1874.

 

Rhizome erect. Stipe dark brown, 3–18 cm long, scales on stipe lanceolate, 5–12 Χ 0.5–1 mm, blackish brown. Lamina lanceolate, 25–90 Χ 7–17 cm, 2-pinnatifid to 2-pinnate; free lateral pinnae 20–40 pairs, ± spaced; basal pinna distinctly shortened, 1–4 Χ 0.5–1.5 cm, reflexed; middle pinnae 3.5–8.5 Χ 1–2 cm; pinnules entire or nearly so, obtuse or nearly truncate and entire at apex, hyaline margins present. Rachis and costae abaxially covered with scales, scales on costae not very abundant, lanceolate, no scales on costules. Veins on ultimate pinnules pinnate and veinlets once forked, without glands on abaxial surface. Sori on the whole length of pinnules, separate, medial to submarginal. Indusia distinct, persistent or partly fugacious, entire or nearly so. Perispore echinate.

 

In mossy forest; 1300–3800 m. Guangxi, Guizhou, Sichuan, Xizang, Yunnan [N Myanmar, Nepal, Sikkim].

 

7. Dryopsis nidus (Baker) Holttum & P. J. Edwards, Kew Bull. 41: 192. 1986.

 

巢形轴鳞蕨  chao xing zhou lin jue

 

Nephrodium filix-mas var. nidus Baker, Syn. Fil. (ed. 2) 498. 1874; Ctenitis contigua Ching; Ctenitis crassirachis Ching; Ctenitis crenata Ching; Ctenitis dentisora Ching; Ctenitis nidus (Baker) Ching; Ctenitis silaensis Ching; Ctenitis submariformis Ching & Chu H. Wang; Ctenitis transmorrisonensis (Hayata) Tagawa; Ctenitis wantsingshanica Ching & K. H. Hsing; Ctenitis zayuensis Ching & S. K. Wu; Dryopsis contigua (Ching) Holttum & P. J. Edwards; Dryopsis crassirachis (Ching) Holttum & P. J. Edwards; Dryopsis crenata (Ching) Holttum & P. J. Edwards; Dryopsis dentisora (Ching) Holttum & P. J. Edwards; Dryopsis silaensis (Ching) Holttum & P. J. Edwards; Dryopsis submariformis (Ching & Chu H. Wang) Holttum & P. J. Edwards; Dryopsis transmorrisonensis (Hayata) Holttum & P. J. Edwards; Dryopsis wantsingshanica (Ching & K. H. Hsing) Holttum & P. J. Edwards; Polystichum transmorrisonensis Hayata.

 

Rhizome erect. Stipe stramineous to red-brown, 15–26 cm long, scales on stipe lanceolate, 5–12 Χ 0.5–1 mm, blackish brown. Lamina lanceolate, 28–65 Χ 10–19 cm, 2-pinnate; free lateral pinnae 16–35 pairs, ± spaced; basal pinna shortened or not, 4–10 Χ 1.5–2 cm, reflexed or not; middle pinnae 5.5–10 Χ 1.2–2.2 cm; pinnules entire to crenate at lateral margin, obtuse or nearly truncate and crenate to serrate at apex, hyaline margins lacking. Rachis and costae abaxially covered with many scales, scales on costae lanceolate or ovate, no scales on costules. Veins on pinnules pinnate, hairs, glands or gland-hairs on veins present or not. Sori on the middle part, or sometimes confined to distal half part of pinnules, separate, medial. Indusia distinct and persistent, entire or erosed at margin, glands on indusia present or not. Perispore echinate.

 

Some characters of the present species have a wide range of variation: pinnules entire to distinctly crenate or lobed halfway, pinnules closely neighboring to separated by 1–2 mm space, sori medial to marginal on pinnules, indusia entire to erosed, glands present on abaxial surface of veinlets and indusia or lacking. I have tried to treat D. silaensis and D. transmorrisonensis as different varieties under D. nidus, but I failed to find even one discontinuous character to distinguish them.

 

In forest and thicket; 2000–3900 m. Guizhou, Sichuan, Taiwan, Xizang, Yunnan [E Nepal, Sikkim].

 

8. Dryopsis sphaeropteroides (Baker) Holttum & P. J. Edwards, Kew Bull. 41: 199. 1986.

 

大鳞轴鳞蕨  da lin zhou lin jue

 

Polypodium sphaeropteroides Baker, Bull. Misc. Inform. Kew 1895(99): 55. 1895; Ctenitis sphaeropteroides (Baker) Ching.

 

Rhizome erect. Stipe stramineous, 30–45 cm long, scales on stipe ovate or broadly lanceolate, ca. 10 Χ 3–5 mm, brown. Lamina ovate, 30–45 Χ 20–30 cm, 3-pinnate to 4-pinnatifid; free lateral pinnae 18–21 pairs, contiguous except basal ones; basal pinna not shortened, 12–16 Χ 6–8 cm, not reflexed; middle pinnae 13–16 Χ 4–6 cm; pinnules entire or sometimes distinct serrate, obtuse and serrate at apex, hyaline margins lacking. Rachis and costae abaxially covered with some hairs and no scales, no scales on costules. Veins on ultimate pinnules pinnate, with brown hairs on abaxial surface. Sori not confined to distal part of pinnules, medial to submarginal. Indusia distinct, persistent or partly fugacious, entire or nearly so. Perispore coarsely tuberculate.

 

• In forest; 2100–2800 m. Sichuan, Yunnan.

 

9. Dryopsis maximowicziana (Miq.) Holttum & P. J. Edwards, Kew Bull. 41: 197. 1986.

 

阔鳞轴鳞蕨  kuo lin zhou lin jue

 

Aspidium maximowiczianum Miq., Ann. Mus. Bot. Lugduno-Batavum 3: 178. 1867; Ctenitis maximowicziana (Miq.) Ching.

 

Rhizome prostrate or ascending. Stipe stramineous, 18–50 cm long, scales on stipe lanceolate or broadly lanceolate, ca. 15 Χ 2–4 mm, brown. Lamina ovate, 40–70 Χ 30–50 cm, 3-pinnate to 4-pinnatifid; free lateral pinnae 15–20 pairs, continuous; basal pinna not shortened,18–30 Χ 7–11 cm, not reflexed; middle pinnae 18–25 Χ 5–6 cm; pinnules entire to deeply lobed, obtuse and entire at apex, hyaline margins lacking. Rachis and costae abaxially covered with many scales, scales on costae lanceolate; no scales on costules. Veins on ultimate pinnules pinnate and veinlets single or forked, with brown hairs on abaxial surface. Sori on basal half part of pinnules, or at least not on distal part, medial. Indusia distinct and persistent, erosed and with many minute glands. Perispore coarsely tuberculate. n = 41*.

 

In forest; 100–1500 m. Chongqing, Fujian, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hunan, Jiangxi, Sichuan, Zhejiang [Korea, Japan].

 

10. Dryopsis Χ fauriei Holttum & P. J. Edwards, Kew Bull. 41: 198. 1986.

 

傅氏轴鳞蕨  fu shi zhou lin jue

 

Rhizome erect. Stipe mid-castaneous, more than 30 cm long, scales on stipe lanceolate, ca. 8 Χ 1.5 mm, dark brown. Lamina lanceolate, ca. 90 Χ 50 cm, 2-pinnate to 3-pinnatifid; free lateral pinnae ca. 20 pairs, continuous; basal pinna not shortened, ca. 26 Χ 4.5 cm, not reflexed; middle pinnae ca. 26 Χ 4.5 cm; pinnules entire to deeply lobed, obtuse at apex, hyaline margins lacking. Rachis and costae abaxially covered with many scales, scales on costae ovate, no scales on costules. Veins on ultimate pinnules pinnate. Sori confined to the distal parts of pinnules. Indusia distinct and persistent. Perispore unknown.

 

In forest; ca. 2500 m. Taiwan (Arisan).

 

This is a poorly known taxon, reported as a hybrid presumedly from D. apiciflora and D. maximowicziana (Holttum & Edwards, 1986). I failed to see the holotype which is the only representative for this hybrid. The description above is based on Holttum and Edwards’ original description.

 

6. CTENITOPSIS

 

7. TECTARIA

 

8. HEMIGRAMMA

 

9. QUERCIFILIX