Asplenium auritum Sw.
Syn:
 
Photos:
 This species has an erct to sub-erct rhizome with tuffed, not proliferous, dimorphe fronds. The sterile fronds are half as large as the fertile fronds. The stipe is  glabrous. The lamina (80-260 x 32-85mm) is 2-pinnatifid and triangular-lanceolate in outline. The pinnae have an obtuse to acute apex, an asymmetrical cuneate base and are incised more than 1/2 way to the costa becoming pinnatifid towards the pinnae base with a free basal acroscopic lobe. Venation is pinnate. Oval sori are set along the costa, indusium present.
Ecology: Rare fern of semi-deciduous woodland or riverine forets, 650-1220m
Derivation of the specific name: auritum: an aer, referring to the free basal acroscopic lobe (auricle) of the pinnae
Distribution in southern Africa: Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi
 

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Copyright: Petra Ballings, 2006