Asplenium auritum Sw., J. Bot. (Schrader) 1800

Kessler, Michael & Smith, Alan R., 2018, Prodromus of a fern flora for Bolivia. XXIX. Aspleniaceae, Phytotaxa 344 (3), pp. 259-280 : 259-280

Asplenium auritum Sw., J. Bot. (Schrader) 1800 (2): 52. 1801.

Range:— Florida; Antilles; southern Mexico to Bolivia (BE, CO, LP, PA, SC) and Argentina; Africa, Madagascar, Mascarenes.

Ecology:— Common; epiphytic, terrestrial, and saxicolous, in humid forests; to 2250 m. Young individuals are drought-resistant, whereas older ones are less so ( Testo & Watkins 2012).

Notes:— Closely related to, and sometimes considered conspecific with 2-pinnate A. cuspidatum . The most deeply cut specimens of A. auritum approach that species but differ by having more strongly winged rachises and a thicker blade texture. A detailed biosystematic study of the complex, also involving A. fragrans in Bolivia, is needed. There are also a number of related, extralimital species with 32 globose, unreduced spores per sporangium (e.g., A. monodon Liebm. , A. sphaerosporum A.R.Sm. ) rather than the usual 64, suggesting an apogamous life cycle ( Mickel & Smith 2004, Gabancho et al. 2010). Plants with 32 spores per sporangium in this group have not yet been recorded from Bolivia, but should be looked for.