Vines and Climbing plants of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands

Gleichenia brevipubis C. Chr., Bull. Herb. Boissier Ser. 2, 6: 280. 1906.

Fig. 9. D

Synonym: Sticherus brevipubis (C. Chr.) A.R. Sm.

Terrestrial fern. Rhizomes creeping, reddish brown, glabrous or with some scattered shortciliate scales. Fronds clambering or decumbent, 1-2 m in length, forming a dense thicket, difficult to penetrate; pinnae 2-3 times bifurcate, sparsely covered with scales in the bifurcation; rachis cylindrical, glabrescent, the primary rachis with proleptic indeterminate growth, the secondary ones short; terminal pinnae 20-35 cm long, with a few brown-purple, short-ciliate, and deciduous scales along the midvein on the lower surface; secondary pinnules oblong-deltoid, the apex obtuse; the upper surface glabrous; the lower surface white-woolly. Sori ferruginous.

Phenology: Collected in fertile condition in August.

Status: Native, rare.

Selected Specimens Examined: Proctor, G.R. 39420; 41419.
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Gleichenia bifida (Willd.) Spreng., Syst. Veg. ed. 16, 4: 27. 1827.

Fig. 9. A-C

Basionym: Mertensia bifida Willd.

Terrestrial fern. Rhizomes creeping, reddish brown, with attenuate, ciliate scales at the apex. Fronds clambering or decumbent, 1-2 m in length, forming a dense thicket difficult to penetrate; pinnae 3 times bifurcate, with small accessory pinnae and densely covered with scales in the bifurcation; rachis cylindrical, those of the young pinnae covered with pale brown ciliate scales; primary rachis with proleptic indeterminate growth, the secondary ones short; terminal pinnae 20-35 × 3-5 cm, the midvein densely covered with ferruginous scales on the lower surface; secondary pinnules oblong-deltoid, the apex obtuse; upper surface glabrous; lower surface densely covered with ferruginous scales. Sori ferruginous.

Phenology: Probably found in fertile condition throughout the year.

Status: Native, very common.

Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 9322; 9373; 9447; 10218; 10524; Britton, N.L. 503; 5389; 6561; 7573; Cowles, H.T. 399; Eggers, B. 1202; Gaibee; Goll, G.P. 413; 435; 929; Hioram, B. 283; Proctor, G.R. 39418; Shafer, J.A. 3422; Sintenis, P. 429; 1769; 3988; Stimson 1282; Underwood, L.M. 288; 330; Webster, G.L. 8627.
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