Asplenium gemmiferum Schrad.

Syn:

Photos: Petra Ballings, Vumba and Ballings 103, 26-11-2003, Nyanga below Mtarazi falls, private collection

This species has an erect rhizome with tuffed fronds. The uniform fronds are proliferous, pinnate and have green or brown stipe and rachis. The lamina (up to 1 x 50-250mm) has 6-12 pairs of pinnae; the gemma are born towards the apex of the lamina. Lamina is lanceolate in outline, carries pinnae with regurly crenate margins. Linear sori are set at 45 degrees to the midrib, indusium entire.

Ecology: Terrestrial or lithophyte of deeply shaded stream banks in evergreen forest, up to 1600m

Derivation of the specific name: gemmiferum: bearing gemma, the fern has plantlets (buds) below the apex of the fronds

Distribution in southern Africa: Malawi, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, South Africa

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