Serpocaulon dasypleuron (Kunze) A.R.Sm.

Kessler, Michael, Smith, Alan R., Øllgaard, Benjamin, Matos, Fernando B. & Moran, Robbin C., 2023, Prodromus of a fern flora of Bolivia. XLII. Update I., Phytotaxa 630 (3), pp. 183-210 : 199-200

Serpocaulon dasypleuron (Kunze) A.R.Sm. , Taxon 55(4): 928. 2006.

= Polypodium dasypleuron Kunze, Linnaea 9: 43. 1834.

= Serpocaulon loriciforme (Rosenst.) A.R.Sm. , Taxon 55(4): 928. 2006.

Range:— Costa Rica to Guyana, Bolivia (LP), and Brazil.

Ecology:— Rare, epiphytic in humid forests, elsewhere at 40–2300 m.

Notes:— Serpocaulon dasypleuron most resembles S. subandinum and S. patentissimum (Mett. ex Kuhn)A.R.Sm. , from Colombia and Ecuador. All possess long-creeping rhizomes, dense pubescence (except S. patentissimum ), and membranaceous to papyraceous pinnatisect blades. Serpocaulon dasypleuron differs from S. subandinum by its rounded to elliptic rhizome scales (vs. triangular to lanceolate), appressed scales (vs. patent at the apex), and spores with flattened verrucae (vs. apically rounded).

Sanín et al. (2019a) listed the following specimen for Bolivia: La Paz, Franz Tamayo, San Rafael, 27 Mar 1902, Williams 1266 ( US, image).

( Serpocaulon latipes (Langsd. & Fisch.) A.R.Sm. , Taxon 55(4): 928. 2006.)

According to Sanín et al. (2023), S. latipes occurs sparingly in the foothills of the Andean-Amazonian area of Ecuador and Peru, and Brazil, especially in the Atlantic rain forest states where it is more frequent. It has not been found in Bolivia, although it may occur based on records both in Peru and Brazil. Specimens called this by Smith et al. (2018) and on herbarium sheets seen, from Bolivia and perhaps also further north in the Andes, are mostly (or entirely) S. intricatum (Kessler & A.R.Sm.) A.R.Sm. Serpocaulon latipes is subtly different from S. intricatum by its lanceolate to deltate-lanceolate laminae (vs. narrowly deltate to linear-lanceolate laminae), truncate laminar base (vs. slightly reduced laminar bases), often broader segments (12–21(–40) vs. 21–45 pairs), by the pinnae narrowing somewhat near their base and just before widening at the junction with the rachis (vs. not narrowing, but rather continuously flaring), and by its distribution in the Atlantic Rain Forest and sparingly in the Andean-Amazon piedmont of Peru and Ecuador (vs. montane cloud forests of the Andes from Ecuador to Bolivia).

( Serpocaulon ptilorhizon (Christ) A.R.Sm. , Taxon 55(4): 929. 2006.)

According to Sanín et al. (2023), S. ptilorhizon occurs from Nicaragua to Colombia at 650–2680 m, in cloud forests. Specimens previously called S. ptilorhizon from Bolivia are either S. funckii or S. subandinum . From S. funckii , S. ptilorhizon can be distinguished by the fewer segments (11–24 vs. 15–42 pairs), the sori reaching the apex of the segments (vs. not reaching), and the apical segment broadly attenuate (vs. narrowly attenuate).