Vines and Climbing plants of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands

Hypolepis nigrescens Hook., Sp. Fil. 2: 66, t. 90c. 1852.

Fig. 6. A

Clambering fern. Rhizomes branched, dark brown, pubescent. Fronds 4-pinnate-pinnatifid, with indeterminate growth, 5-10 m long; blades chartaceous, narrowly oblong-lanceolate in outline; upper surface glabrous or less frequently puberulent; lower surface with scattered hairs along the main veins; pinnae opposite or subopposite, broadly lanceolate, up to 35 cm long;primary pinnules alternate; blades 18-24 cm long; stipe and rachis reddish to dark brown, with numerous dark brown straight or recurved spines. Sori circular, submarginal; indusia very narrow, glabrous.

Phenology: Collected in fertile condition in February, July, and eptember.

Status: Native, rare.

Collections Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 9433; 11457; Proctor, G.R. 40131; 40629; Sargent, F.H. 3154. Hypolepis repens: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 7740; Proctor, G.R. 39399; 39644; 40628; 41285.
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Hypolepis repens (L.) C. Presl, Tent. Pterid. 162. 1836.

Fig. 6. B

Basionym: Lonchitis repens L.

Synonym: Hypolepis aculeata (Spreng.) J. Sm.

Clambering fern. Rhizome covered with brown hairs. Fronds ascending, clambering or arching, 3-pinnate-pinnatifid, 2-4 m long; blades coriaceous, triangular in outline, up to 1.5 m wide; upper surface with scattered hairs along the midvein; lower surface shiny, pubescent; pinnae lanceolate-triangular, 20-50 cm long; primary pinnules subopposite, 7-22 cm longstipe and rachis yellowish or light brown, with straight spines, the stipe darker toward the base. Sori circular, submarginal; indusia membranaceous, whitish, subentire.

Phenology: Collected in fertile condition in August and September.

Status: Native, common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 7740; Proctor, G.R. 39399; 39644; 40628; 41285.
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