Fernlist
This list has been compiled by Petra Ballings & Bart Wursten and is largely based on personal records. A herbarium of fern species is available at our home, Ndundu Lodge. The following literature has been used for the compilation of the list: Southern African Ferns & Fern Allies (J.E. Burrows, 1990); Pteridophyta in Flora Zambesiaca (E.A.CL.E. Schelpe, 1970); The Ferns and Fern Allies of Southern Africa (W.B.G. Jacobsen, 1983); and Checklist of Zimbabwean Vascular Plants (A. Mapaura & J. Timberlake, Sabonet Report No. 33, 2004). The latest nomenclature changes in Conspectus of Southern African Pteridophyta (J.P. Roux, Sabonet Report No.13, 2001) have been used where applicable. Older names, used by J.E. Burrows are given in between brackets.
All species have been listed alphabetically by family and genus.
Records: PR= personal record; BU= J.E. Burrows; SRGH= National Herbarium and Botanic Garden of Zimbabwe
| FAMILY/ GENUS | SPECIES | HABITAT | RECORD |
| Family Anemiaceae [Schizaceae] | |||
| Genus Anemia | Anemia simii Tardieu | Deciduous woodland, places which are humid in rainy season and hot & dry in winter | PR, BU, SRGH |
| Genus Mohria |
Mohria lepigera (Baker) Baker |
Rock crevices or around the base of bolders | PR, BU, SRGH |
| ?? Mohria nudiuscula J.P.Roux [Mohria caffrorum (L.) Desv.var. ferruginea J.E.Burrows & S.M. Burrows] | According to J.E. Burrows not occuring in Zimbabwe, according to J.P. Roux in Zimbabwe. According to Mapaura & Timberlake in East, Where ? | ||
|
Mohria vestita Baker [Mohria caffrorum (L.) Desv.var caffrorum] |
Is M. vestita the same species as M. caffrorum var. caffrorum? | PR, BU | |
| Family Aspleniaceae | |||
| Genus Asplenium |
Asplenium aethiopicum (Burm.f.) Bech. subsp. aethiopicum |
According to Mapaura & Timberlake in East, Where ? Moist forest, partially shaded, 50-1800m | ? |
| Asplenium aethiopicum (Burm.f.) Bech. subsp. dodecaploideum A.F. Braithw. | According to Mapaura & Timberlake in East, Where ? Boulders and rock crevices, exposed or partially shaded, 1300-2000m | ? | |
| Asplenium aethiopicum (Burm.f.) Bech. subsp. filare (Forssk.) A.F. Braithw. | According to Mapaura & Timberlake in Zimbabwe, no district mentioned. Where? Rocky outcrops, exposed or lightly shaded, 1300-1600m | ? | |
| Asplenium aethiopicum (Burm.f.) Bech. subsp. tripinnatum (Baker) A.F. Braithw. | According to Mapaura & Timberlake in Zimbabwe, no district mentioned. Where? Moist forest, shaded, 50-2000m | ? | |
| Asplenium anisoplyllum Kunze | Shaded areas in evergreen forest | PR, BU, SRGH | |
| Asplenium atroviride Schelpe | Very deep shade on forest floor away from water, up to 1600m | BU, SRGH | |
| Asplenium auritum Sw. | Rare fern of semi-deciduous woodland or riverine forets, 650-1220m | BU, SRGH | |
|
Asplenium blastophorum Hieron. |
On leaf litter in deep shaded floor of semi deciduous forest, not above 1450m | PR, BU, SRGH | |
| Asplenium boltonii Hook. ex Brause & Hieron | Dense shade along streams in evergreen forest | BU, SRGH | |
|
Asplenium buettneri Hieron. |
Terrestrial in low altitude or semi-deciduous woodland, 340-980m | BU | |
| Asplenium christii | Deeply shaded forest floor in low-altitude, evergreen forest, 600-1200m | SRGH | |
| Asplenium cordatum (Thunb.) Sw. | Wide variety of habitats where it is often found in rock cracks or beneath boulders, sheltered from sun & wind | BU | |
|
Asplenium dregeanum Kunze subsp. dregeanum |
Rare fern in areas with deep shade and abundant moisture | BU | |
| Asplenium erectum Bory ex Willd. | Deep shade on forest floor of evergreen forest | PR, BU, SRGH | |
| Asplenium formosum Willd. | Deep shade in forest, boulders in riverine forest, 600-1400m | PR, BU, SRGH | |
| Asplenium friesiorium C. Chr. | Terrestrial in deep shade in forest | PR, BU, SRGH | |
| Asplenium gemmiferum Schrad. | Deeply shaded stream banks in evergreen forest, up to 1600m | BU, SRGH | |
| Asplenium hypomelas Kuhn | Epiphyte in deep shade in forest, on C. Manniana | PR, BU | |
| Asplenium inaequilaterale Willd. | Deeply shaded forest floor, moist situations | PR, BU, SRGH | |
| Asplenium linckii Kuhn | Shaded forest floor in evergreen forest on steep slopes, 1500-1700m. Lion rock only | BU, SRGH | |
| Asplenium lividum Mett. ex Kuhn | Moss covered boulders in deep shade along streams in evergreen forest | BU | |
| Asplenium lobatum Pappe & Raws. | Leaf litter in deep shaded forest floor in evergreen forest | PR,BU, SRGH | |
|
Asplenium mannii Hook. |
Epiphyte in shaded areas in evergreen forest | PR, BU | |
| Asplenium monanthes L. | Shaded floors in evergreen forest, often near stream | BU, SRGH | |
| Asplenium preussii Hieron ex Brause | Rare fern in evergreen forest, terrestrial in leaf litter on forest floor, 1100-1650m | PR, BU | |
| Asplenium protensum Schrad. | Mossy boulders along deeply shaded streambanks in evergreen forest | BU, SRGH | |
| Asplenium ramlowii Hieron. | Full sun or light shade among grass on granite sheet rock. In riverine or evergreen forest. On serpentine & quartzite. Altitude : 910-1500m | PR, BU, SRGH | |
| Asplenium rutifolium (P.J. Bergius) Kunze | Common epiphyte in shaded areas in wet, evergreen forest | PR, BU | |
| Asplenium sandersonii Hook. | Common epiphyte in shaded areas in wet, evergreen forest | PR, BU, SRGH | |
| Asplenium schelpei A.F. Braithw. | A hybrid between A. splendens and A. ramlowii. Burrows places it as a variant under A. aethiopicum. According to Mapaura & Timberlake in East, Where ? | ? | |
| Asplenium simii A.F. Braithw. & Schelpe | Epiphyte in evergreen forest or lithophyte on boulders in montane grassland | BU, SRGH | |
| Asplenium theciferum (H.B.K.) Mett. var. concinnum (Schrad.) Schelpe | Common epiphyte in shaded areas in evergreen forest | PR, BU | |
|
Asplenium varians Wall. ex Hook. & Grev. subspec. fimbriatum (Kunze) schelpe |
Lithophytic on moss covered boulders in evergreen or semi-deciduous forest | BU | |
| Family Blechnaceae | |||
| Genus Blechnum |
Blechnum attenuatum (Sw.) Mett. |
Streambank in open montane grassland or shaded area in evergreen forest | PR, BU, SRGH |
| Blechnum capense Burm.f. | Wet shaded earth and streambanks, rare | BU | |
|
Blechnum tabulare (Thunb.) Kuhn |
In montane grassland along streams or along the margins of evergreen forest | PR, BU, SRGH | |
| Family Cyatheaceae | |||
| Genus Cyathea | Cyathea dregei Kunze | Vleis, streambanks and forest edge | PR, BU, SRGH |
| Cyathea thomsonii Baker | Streambanks in shaded evergreen forest | PR, BU, SRGH | |
| Cyathea manniana Hook. | Groves in deep shaded forest along streams | PR, BU, SRGH | |
| Cyathea capensis (L.f.) Sm. var. capensis [Cyathea capensis (L.f.) Sm.] | Shaded ravines on mountain slopes, high light intensity but not exposed | BU, SRGH | |
| Family Davalliaceae | |||
| Genus Davallia |
Davallia denticulata (Burm.f.) Mett. ex Kuhn var. denticulata [Davallia chaerophylloides (Poir.) steud.] |
Rare, among rocks near river, not above 1500m | BU, SRGH |
| Family Dennstaedtiaceae | |||
| Genus Blotiella | Blotiella natalensis (Hook.) R.M. Tryon | Near streams in shade in forest | PR, BU, SRGH |
| Blotiella glabra (Bory) R.M. Tryon | Near streams in deep shaded evergreen forest | BU, SRGH | |
| Genus Histiopteris | Histiopteris incisa (Thunb.) J.Sm. | Forest margins or high light situation in forest | BU, SRGH |
| Genus Hypolepis | Hypolepis sparsisora (Schrad.) Kuhn | Forest clearings with high light situation | PR, BU, SRGH |
| Genus Microlepia | Microlepia speluncae (L.) T. Moore | Rare, low-altitude evergreen forest | BU, SRGH |
| Genus Pteridium | Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn subsp. aquilinum | Abundant in moist, open grassland | PR, BU |
| Family Dryopteridaceae [Aspidiaceae] | |||
| Genus Arachniodes |
Arachniodes webbiana (A.Braun) Schelpe subsp. foliosa (C.Chr.) [Arachniodes foliosa (C.Chr.) Schelpe] |
Along streams in deeply shaded areas of evergreen Podocarpus mist forest | BU |
| Genus Didymochleana | Didymochlaena truncatula (Sw.) J. Sm. | Deep shade near stream in evergreen forest | PR, BU, SRGH |
| Genus Dryopteris |
Dryopteris athamantica (Kunze) Kuntze |
Common in full sun in long grasses | PR, BU |
| Dryopteris kilemensis (Kuhn) Kuntze | Shaded areas in evergreen forest or along forest margin | PR, BU, SRGH | |
| ??? Dryopteris lewalleana Pic. Serm | according to J.P. Roux in Zimbabwe ? According to Mapaura & Timberlake in Zimbabwe, no district mentioned. Where ? | ? | |
| Dryopteris manniana (Hook.) C.Chr. | In shade along stream in evergreen forest | PR, BU, SRGH | |
| Dryopteris pentheri (Krasser) C.Chr. [Dryopteris inaequalis (Schltdl.) Kuntze] | Common in area between forest and grassland, shade in forest | PR, BU, SRGH | |
| Genus Nothoperanema | Nothoperanema squamiseta (Hook.) Ching [Dryopteris squamiseta (Hook.) Kuntze] | Deeply shaded streambanks in evergreen forest | BU, SRGH |
| Genus Polystichum | Polystichum transvaalense N.C. Anthony | On shaded forest floor, along streams in evergreen forest | BU |
| ???? Polystichum wilsonii Christ | according to Burrows not in Zimbabwe, according to J.P. Roux in Zimbabwe ? According to Mapaura & Timberlake in Zimbabwe, no district mentioned. Where ? | ? | |
| Polystichum zambesiacum Schelpe | On shaded forest floor, along forest margins and streams in evergreen forest | PR, BU | |
| Family Equisetaceae | |||
| Genus Equisetum | Equisetum ramosissimum Desf. subsp. ramosissimum | Along streams in sandy soils, among grasses in full sun | BU |
| Family Gleicheniaceae | |||
| Genus Dicranopteris | Dicranopteris linearis Burm.f. Underw. var. linearis [Dicranopteris linearis Burm.f. Underw.] | Earthbanks, forest clearings and roadsides in full sun or light shade | PR, BU, SRGH |
| Genus Gleichenia | Gleichenia polypodioides (L.) Sm. | Road embankments in full sun or light shade | BU |
| Gleichenia umbraculifera (Kunze) T. Moore | Roadside or river margin, also in area between forest and grassland in full sun or dappled shade | BU, SRGH | |
| Family Hymenophyllaceae | |||
| Genus Hymenophyllum | Hymenophyllum capense Schrad. | Epiphyte, shade in forest | PR, BU, SRGH |
| Hymenophyllum kuhnii C.Chr. [Hymenophyllum polyanthos (Sw.) Sw. var. kuhnii (C.Chr.) Schelpe] | Epiphyte, shade in evergreen forest | PR, BU, SRGH | |
| Genus Cephalomanes | Cephalomanes rigidum (Sw.) K. Iwats. [Trichomanes rigidum Sw.] | Deeply shaded, moss covered earth banks in evergreen forest. Lithophytic in spray of waterfall in dark conditions. | BU, SRGH |
| Genus Crepidomanes | Crepidomanes frappieri (Cordem) J.P. Roux | according to J.P. Roux in Zimbabwe ? According to Mapaura & Timberlake in East, Where ? | |
| Crepidomanes inopinatum (Pic. Serm.) J.P. Roux var. inopinatum [Trichomanes inopinatum (Pic. Ser.) J.E. Burrows] | Epiphyte in evergreen forest | BU | |
| Crepidomanes melanotrichum (Schltdl.) J.P. Roux [Trichomanes melanotrichum Schltdl.] | Lithophytic indeep shaded, moist forest | PR, BU, SRGH | |
| Crepidomanes borbonicum (Bosch) J.P. Roux [Trichomanes borbonicum v.d. Bosch] | Lithophytic or low level epiphyte in evergreen forest | BU, SRGH | |
| Genus Spaerocionium | Sphaerocionum hirsutum (L.) C. Presl | according to J.P. Roux in Zimbabwe ? According to Mapaura & Timberlake in East, Where ? | |
| Genus Trichomanes | Trichomanes erosum Willd. var. erosum | Next to streams in dense shade. Also on stem base of C. manniana, M. fraxinea | BU, SRGH |
| Genus Trichomanes | Trichomanes erosum Willd. var. erosum | Next to streams in dense shade. Also on stem base of C. manniana, M. fraxinea | BU |
| Family Lomariopsidaceae | |||
| Genus Bolbitis |
Bolbitis heudelotii (Bory ex Fée) Alston |
It grows submerged in running water | BU, SRGH |
| Genus Elaphoglossum | Elaphoglossum acrostichoides (Hook.& Grev.) Schelpe | In crevices of rocky outcrops or epiphytic in forest | PR, BU, SRGH |
| Elaphoglossum aubertii (Desv.) T. Moore | Moss covered boulders along streams in deep shade of evergreen forest | BU | |
| Elaphoglossum hybridum (Bory) Brack. | On earth banks near streamin deeply shaded ravines in evergreen forest, , 1300-2000m | BU | |
| Elaphoglossum kuhnii Hieron. | Earth banks in light shade of riverine forest or woodland | BU, SRGH | |
| Elaphoglossum lastii (Baker) C. Chr. | Epiphyte of evergreen mist forest | BU, SRGH | |
| Elaphoglossum macropodium (Fée) T. Moore | Next to streams in forest or among boulders in rocky outcrops | BU, SRGH | |
| Elaphoglossum salicifolium (Willd. ex Kaulf.) Alston [Elaphoglossum petiolatum (Sw.) Urb. subsp. salicifolium (Willd. ex Kaulf.) Schelpe] | Low level epiphyte or lithophyte in shade of riverine forest, 660-1370m | BU, SRGH | |
| Elaphoglossum spathulatum (Bory) T.Moore | Moss covered boulders beside fast flowing streams in deep shade of evergreen forest | BU, SRGH | |
| Family Lycopodiaceae | |||
| Genus Huperzia | Huperzia verticillata (L.f.) Trevis. [Lycopodium verticillatum L.f.] | Epiphyte or lithophyte, shade in evergreen forest or on boulders in Brachystegia woodland | PR, BU, SRGH |
| Huperzia dacrydioides (Baker) Pic. Serm. [Lycopodium dacrydioides Bak.] | Epiphyte, shade in evergreen forest | PR, BU, SRGH | |
| Huperzia gnidioides (L.f.) Trevis. [Lycopodium gnidioides L.f.] | Wide habitat range, on boulders in grassland to epiphyte in forest | BU | |
| Huperzia ophioglossoides (Lam.) Rothm. [Lycopodium ophioglossoides Lam.] | Rare epiphyte in forests | BU, SRGH | |
| Genus Lycopodiella | Lycopodiella cernua (L.) Pic.Serm. [Lycopodium cernuum L.] | Open sunny wet areas on embankments | PR, BU |
|
Lycopodiella sarcocaulon (A.Braun & Welw. ex Kuhn) Pic. Serm. [Lycopodium carolinianum L. var. grandifolium Spring] |
Marshy areas, perennial or seasonal seepage zones in grassland | BU | |
| Genus Lycopodium | Lycopodium clavatum L. | Open sunny areas on embankments | PR, BU, SRGH |
| Family Lygodiaceae [Schizaceae] | |||
| Genus Lygodium | Lygodium kerstenii Kuhn | Fringes of evergreen forest, medium altitude (300-1280m) | PR, BU, SRGH |
| Family Marattiaceae | |||
| Genus Marattia | Maratia fraxinea Sm. [Maratia fraxinea Sm. ex J.F.Gmel. var. salicifolia (Schrad.) C. Chr.] | Along streams in deep shaded evergreen forest | PR, BU, SRGH |
| Family Nephrolepidaceae [Davalliaceae] | |||
| Genus Nephrolepis |
Nephrolepis cordifolia (L.) C. Presl [Nephrolepis undulata (Afz. ex Sw.) J. Sm.] |
Terrestrial along forest margins in grass, light shade | PR, BU, SRGH |
| Family Oleandraceae [Davalliaceae] | |||
| Genus Arthropteris |
Arthropteris monocarpa (Cordem) C.Chr. |
Shaded areas in evergreen forest | PR, BU, SRGH |
| Arthropteris orientalis (J.F.Gmel.) Posth. var. orientalis [Arthropteris orientalis (J.F.Gmel.) Posth.] | Common in Brachystegia woodland, in light shade | PR, BU, SRGH | |
| Genus Oleandra | Oleandra distenta Kunze | Epiphytic in shaded areas on old trees in evergreen forest | PR, BU, SRGH |
| Family Ophioglossaceae | |||
| Genus Ophioglossum | Ophioglossum vulgatum L. subsp. africanum Pocock ex J.E.Burrows var. taylorianum J.E. Burrows [Ophioglossum vulgatum L.] | Wide variety of habitats | BU, SRGH |
| Ophioglossum reticulatum L. subsp reticilatum [Ophioglossum reticulatum L.] | Forest margins and rocky outcrops | BU | |
| Ophioglossum polyphyllum A. Braun | Wide variety of habitats | BU | |
| Family Osmundaceae | |||
| Genus Osmunda | Osmunda regalis L. | Along streams in shaded forest | PR, BU, SRGH |
| Family Polypodiaceae | |||
| Genus Belvisia |
Belvisia spicata (L.f.) Mirb. |
Epiphyte in semi deciduous forset, 780-1300m, rare | BU, SRGH |
| Genus Lepisorus | Lepisorus excavatus (Bory ex Willd.) Ching [Pleopeltis excavata (Bory ex Willd.) Sledge] | Epiphytic in light shade in evergreen forest, deciduous | PR, BU, SRGH |
| Lepisorus schraderi (Mett.) Ching [Pleopeltis schraderi (Mett.) Tardieu] | Epiphytic in shade in evergreen forest | PR, BU, SRGH | |
| Genus Loxogramma | Loxogramma abyssinica (Baker) M.G. Price [Loxogramma lanceolata (Sw.) Presl] | Deep shade in forest near riverbed | PR, BU, SRGH |
| Genus Microgramma | Microgramma mauritiana (Willd.) Tardieu [Microgramma lycopodioides (L.) Copel.) | Rare epiphyte in low altitude semi-deciduous forest, not above 950m | BU, SRGH |
| Genus Microsorum | Microsorum pappei (Mett. ex Kuhn) Ching | Rare fern in deep shade of evergreen forest, along stream, 700-1500m | BU, SRGH |
| Microsorum punctatum (L.) Copel. | Riverine forest, light shade, not above 1000m | BU, SRGH | |
| Microsorum scolopendria (Burm. f.) Copel | Brachystegia woodland & riverine forest, 320-920m | PR, BU, SRGH | |
| Genus Pleopeltis | Pleopeltis macrocarpa (Bory ex Willd.) Kaulf. var. macrocarpa [Pleopeltis macrocarpa (Bory ex Willd.) Kaulf.] | Common, epiphytic in shade | PR, BU, SRGH |
| Genus Pleopodium | x Pleopodium simianum Schelpe & N.C. Anthony | Lithophytic in shaded areas in forest, 200-1800m | BU |
| Genus Polypodium | Polypodium polypioides (L.) Watt subsp. ecklonii (Kunze) Schelpe | Wide variety of habitats, 200-1700m | PR, BU, SRGH |
| Genus Pyrrosia | Pyrrosia rhodesiana (C. Chr.) Schelpe | Epiphytic or lithophytic in evergreen forest on east or south facing slopes, 800-1500m | PR, BU, SRGH |
| Pyrrosia schimperiana (Mett. Kuhn) Alston var. schimperiana [Pyrrosia schimperiana (Mett. ex Kuhn) Alston] | Epiphytic or lithophytic in light shade in riverine vegetation. Miombo woodland, 400-1650m | PR, BU, SRGH | |
| Family Pteridaceae [Family Adiantaceae] | |||
| Genus Actiniopteris | Actiniopteris radiata (Koenig ex Sw.) Link | Common in dry Miombo woodland, 500-1300m | BU, SRGH |
| Actiniopteris dimorpha Pic. Serm. subsp. dimorpha [Actiniopteris dimorpha Pic. Ser.] | Open expanses of sheet rock, growing on the lower margins of overlying soil & vegetation, 750-1400m | BU, SRGH | |
| Genus Adiantum | Adiantum capillus -veneris L. | Above waterline of shaded banks, normally in drier low altitude woodland | BU |
|
Adiantum hispidulum Sw. |
Boulder basis in woodland, deep shade in moist forest, c. 1000m | BU, SRGH | |
| Adiantum incisum Forssk. | Miombo woodland, below 1400m | BU | |
| Adiantum lunulatum Burm.f. [Adiantum philippense L.] | Brachystegia woodland, base of bouldres or shaded earth banks, below 1550m | BU, SGRH | |
| Adiantum poiretii J.E. Wikstr. | Mossy earth banks in evergreen forest, up to 2600m | BU, SRGH | |
| Adiantum raddianum C. Presl | Common, shaded earth banks in forest | PR, BU, SRGH | |
| Genus Anogramma | Anogramma leptophylla (L.) Link | ||