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Brief Descriptions of the Subgroups

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Subulate-scaled group

The clade is characterized by subulate scales and/or hydathodes. Within the clade, there is a monophyletic group (boryanum - eximium) characterized by hydathodes, and another monophyletic group (species 1 - auripilum on the evolutionary tree) characterized by short-petiolate or sessile leaves. This latter group corresponds to sect. Polytrichia subsect. Apoda.
 

A species (Elaphoglossum pilosius) of the subulate-scaled group,
from Cerro de la Muerte, 3200 m, Costa Rica.
(photo by R. C. Moran).
Scales typical of the subulate-scaled group. (Elaphoglossum erinaceum, Costa Rica)

 
Some typical species of subulate-scaled Elaphoglossum.
 
 
 

A-E.  E. pilosius 

F-G.  E. setosum

J-L.  E. jaliscanum

M,N.  E. pusillum

Q.  E. monicae
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

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Section Lepidoglossa

This section is characterized by conspicuously scaly blades. The scales can have a wide variety of sizes, shapes and colors.
 

A scaly species of Elaphoglossum from Costa Rica

(photo by R. C. Moran)

Scaly blade representative of Elaphoglossum section Lepidoglossa

(photo by R. C. Moran)


 
Elaphoglossum sect. Lepidoglossa
 
 
 

A-F.  Elaphoglossum muscosum

G-P.  E. paleaceum

Q.  E. vestitum

R-W.  E. pringlei
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

(from Mickel & Beitel, 1988)

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Section Squamipedia

This section is characterized by slender, long-creeping, two-ranked rhizomes, small leaves (generally less than 20 cm long), and spiny spores. All the species have two peg-like aerophores on the rhizome, 1-2 mm from the petiole base. Phyllopodia are absent. A well-known species in this group is the parsley fern, Elaphoglossum peltatum, which is unusual because of its flabellately divided leaves.
 
 

Peg-like aerophores characteristic of Elaphoglossum sect. Squamipedia
 
 
 
 
 

(E. peltatum, photo by R. C. Moran)

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Section Elaphoglossum

This clade is characterized by inconspicuously scaly or glabrous blades. On the evolutionary tree, the clade consisting of affine - acrostichoides is characterized by short-creeping rhizomes.
 
 

A species of section Elaphoglossum, E. conspersum
 

From Cerro de la Muerte, Costa Rica, 3200 m.
The fertile leaf (left-center) is black beneath because the spore cases are spread across the lower surface--a condition called "acrostichoid sori."
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

(photo by R. C. Moran)

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Section Amygdalifolium

This section contains only one species: Elaphoglossum amygdalifolium. It differs from the rest of the genus by the combination of hydathodes, phyllopodia, and reddish young leaves.

We don't have any photos of this plant yet, but we're working on it!


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                          John Mickel
                          Tim Motley

This page last updated 7 December 2001