Hypolepis minima M.Kessler & A.R.Sm., Brittonia

Schwartsburd, Pedro B., Navarrete, Hugo, Smith, Alan R. & Kessler, Michael, 2017, Prodromus of a fern flora for Bolivia. XXVI. Dennstaedtiaceae, Phytotaxa 332 (3), pp. 251-268 : 256

Hypolepis minima M.Kessler & A.R.Sm., Brittonia 59(2): 194, Figs. 3a, b . 2007 ( Fig. 2E–H )

Range:— Endemic to Bolivia (LP); known only from the type collection. Ecology:— Rare; terrestrial in a rocky pasture within humid forest; 2950 m. Notes:— Schwartsburd & Prado (2016) regarded Hypolepis minima as a dubious synonym of H. rigescens . Here, we regard them as distinct. Hypolepis minima differs from H. rigescens by shorter leaves 12–21 × 3–6 cm (vs. 100–230 × 50–80 cm), inermous petioles and rachises (vs. spiny), and 2-pinnate-pinnatifid blades (vs. 3-pinnate-pinnatifid to 4-pinnate) (Fig. E–H). In addition, H. rigescens occurs at much lower elevations (800–1900 m).

Figures

FIGURE 2. A–D. Hypolepis rigescens var. buchtienii (Buchtien 7014): A. Habit, B. Detail of petiole and rachis, abaxially, C. Pinnule, abaxially, D. Detail of veins, sori and pseuso-indusium, abaxially; E–H. Hypolepis minima (Jimenez 972): E. Habit, F. Detail of petiole, abaxially, G. Medial pinna, abaxially, H. Detail of veins, sori and pseuso-indusium, abaxially.

FIGURE 3. A–C. Pteridium esculentum subsp. gryphus (Gleason 423): A. Pinnule. B. Detail of ultimate segment, abaxially, showing sericeous veins. C. Cross section of ultimate segment, abaxial side up, showing the two types of hairs (gnarled hairs pointed by arrow).