Asplenium theciferum ( Kunth 1816: 23 ) Mettenius (1864: 227) var. concinnum (Schrad.) Schelpe (1967: 210)

Fischer, Eberhard & Lobin, Wolfram, 2023, Synoptic Revision of Aspleniaceae (Asplenium, Hymenasplenium) of Rwanda, Phytotaxa 608 (1), pp. 1-65 : 45-46

Asplenium theciferum ( Kunth 1816: 23) Mettenius (1864: 227) var. concinnum (Schrad.) Schelpe (1967: 210) .

Davallia concinna Schrader 1818: 918 .

Holotype: — SOUTH AFRICA. Cap , Hesse s.n. ( GOET007139 [digital image!]).

Specimens seen:— Northern Province: Kinigi vers Sabinyo , 25 June 1961, S.C.Antun-Gupffert 1036 ( BR0000016319240 ) ; Kinigi , 25 June 1961, S.C.Antun-Gupffert 1013 ( BR0000016319226 ) ; Vulkanen-Park , Gahinga, Z. -flank, 14 February 1972, P. Van der Veken 9372 ( BR0000016319363 ) ; Ruhengeri (= Musanze) Caverne , October 1961, S.C.Antun-Gupffert 1113 ( BR0000016319257 ) ; Lac Bulera, riv. Kabaga, Préfect Ruhengeri (= Musanze ), 15 February 1972, P.Bamps 3139 ( BR0000016319264 ) ; N Bulera-meer, gemeente Butaro op de N.-oever, 17 February 1972, P. Van der Veken 9404 ( BR0000016319370 , B 20 0084663) . Western Province: Gishwati-Mukura NP, epiphyte near Park Head Quarter , 4 October 2022, E.Fischer s.n. ( KOBL) ; Gisovu, Préfect. Kibuye (= Karongi ), 21 February 1972, P.Bamps 3209 ( BR0000016319271 ) ; env. d’Uwinka , forêt de Nyungwe , Bururi, Préfecture Cyangugu (= Rusizi ), 8 June 1981, G.Troupin 16293 ( BR0000016319356 ) ; Astrida (= Huye) – Bukavu avant km 60, 2 January 1960, S.C.Antun-Gupffert 605 ( BR0000016319202 ) . Southern Province: Huye, Arboretum , December 2021, E.Fischer s.n. ( KOBL) ; Huye, roadside trees in Butare town , December 2021, E. Fischer s.n. ( KOBL) ; Kigeme, Préfect. Gikongoro (= Nyamagabe ), 5 March 1972, P.Bamps 3312 ( BR0000016319288 ) ; Préfecture Gikongoro (= Nyamagabe), Kwisumo Valley , 13 January 1982, K.A.Nowak 1319 ( BR0000016319325 ) ; Préfecture de Gikongoro (= Nyamagabe), Commune Kivu, savane de Rubyiro, 16 August 1999, C.E.N.Ewango & Ngayabahiga 2189 ( BR0000009377653 ) . Kigali Province: Ganzu, Bois Sacré Kigali, September 1933, A. Becquet 788 ( BR0000016319295 ) . Eastern Province: Biumba (= Byumba), Région du Mutara , env. de Mimuli, 14 October 1957, G.Troupin 4990 ( BR0000016319349 ) ; Biumba (= Byumba), Région du Mutara , env. de Mimuli, réserve forestière IRSAC, galerie forestière le long de la riv. Kakitumba ( Kagitumba ), 23 May 1957, G.Troupin 3202 ( BR0000016319332 ) .

First recorded for Rwanda: — Pichi Sermolli (1985: 124) as Loxoscaphe theciferum var. concinna ( Schrader 1818: 918) Kuhn (1879: 36) .

Habitat: —Epiphyte in montane forest, also outside the forest, e.g., on roadside trees, elev. 1750–2500 m.

Distribution in Rwanda:—Northern Province: Volcano NP. Western Province: Gishwati-Mukura NP, Nyungwe NP. Southern Province: Huye Arboretum, Butare. Eastern Province: Akagera NP.

General distribution: —Africa: Cameroon to Ethiopia, southwards to Rep. South Africa, Swaziland, Madagascar. Also in the Mascarenes and Comoros.

Note: — Viane (2021: 203) considers this taxon to be a species of its own, Asplenium concinnum (Schrad.) Kuhn (1868: 99) . Further studies are required to solve this problem. In the case that both species are recognized, A. theciferum s.str. would be restricted to America ( Mexico to Bolivia).