Salpichlaena volubilis subsp. volubilis

Cárdenas, G. G., Lehtonen, S. & Tuomisto, H., 2019, Taxonomy and evolutionary history of the neotropical fern genus Salpichlaena (Blechnaceae), Blumea 64 (1), pp. 1-22 : 13-14

a. subsp. volubilis — Fig. 3g , 4a, 8; Map 1

Climbing and non-climbing fronds with herbaceous to chartaceous lamina texture, pinnae and pinnule margins not cartilaginous, or sometimes slightly cartilaginous in fertile specimens; scales on abaxial axes lanceolate and ovate with long appendices, sometimes stick-like; stomata not on white laminal protuberances. Non-climbing entire fronds up to 33 by 2.3 cm. Non-climbing 1-pinnate fronds 45–101 cm. Pinnae up to 6 pairs; apical one lanceolate, elliptic, 16.3–25.5 by 2–3.5 cm; lateral ones lanceolate (elliptic), 11.3–27.5 by 1.7–3.5 cm; apex acuminate, with entire margin; base obtuse. Climbing fronds with pinnules subopposite to opposite. Fertile pinnules in 3–7 pairs; apical one lanceolate, oblanceolate, elliptic, 12.9–18.2 by 0.75–1.8 cm, apex acuminate, attenuate (round or fan-shaped tip caused by the apical division of the main vein), entire, base obtuse, equilateral; lateral ones elliptic, parallel-sided, slightly oblanceolate, 12–13.6 by 0.69–1.5 cm, apex acuminate-attenuate (round or fan-shaped tip caused by the apical division of the main vein), base obtuse, attenuate, equilateral. Sterile pinnules in 2–5 pairs; apical one lanceolate, elliptic, 17.5 by 2.2 cm, apex acuminate, entire (round or fan-shaped tip caused by the apical division of the main vein), base obtuse, equilateral; lateral ones lanceolate, 13.6 by 1.9 cm, apex, acuminate, entire (round or fan-shaped tip caused by the apical division of the main vein), base obtuse, equilateral; petiolulate, sometimes winged.

Distribution — Salpichlaena volubilis subsp. volubilis occurs in the Atlantic rain forest in southeastern Brazil.

Habitat & Ecology — Terra firme, primary and disturbed Atlantic rain forest. Near open places like waterfalls and ravines. On hills, mid-slope and flat terrain. On clay soil. Altitude 0–1175 m.

Additional specimens seen. BRAZIL, Bahía, Litoral Sul, Ituberá, Pacangê , S13°43' W39°08', 10 Apr. 2006, Valadão R & Guedes ML 38 ( ALCB); El Moricano , 1836, Blanchet J 2487 (K, NY); Espírito Santo, Conceição da Barra, Floresta Nacional do Rio Preto , S18°22'22.8" W39°51'01.5", 27 m, 10 June 2009, Salino A et al. 14313 ( BHCB); Reserva Natural da CVRD- LINHARES, Jueirana Facão, Folli DA 5469 ( CVRD); Paraná, Mun.Matinhos, Matinhos, Morro do Teleférico , S25°51' W48°33', 0–10 m, 14 Feb. 2008, Christenhusz MJM et al. 4774 ( TUR); Pernambuco, Jaqueira, Usina Colônia ( Serra do Quengo ), S8°42'50.4" W35°50'25.8", 713 m, 3 Apr.2002, Lopes M & Pietrobom MRS 550 ( HUEFS, INPA); Rio de Janeiro, Miers 177 (K); Santa Catarina, Guabiruba, Aymoré , S27°05'24" W49°02'58", 256 m, 28 Oct.2009, Stival-Santos A et al. 1123 ( FLOR, FURB); Jaraguá do Sul, along the road to Campo Allegre, near Rio Itapocuzinho , S26°21' W49°8', 140 m, 10 Feb. 2008, Christenhusz MJM et al. 4743 ( TUR); São Paulo, Parque Estadual das Fontes do Ipiranga , trail near the border of the zoo, S23°39' W46°37', 800 m, 19 Feb.2008, Christenhusz MJM et al.4800 ( NY, TUR); Mun.Tapiraí, fazenda São José , S24°1' W47°27', 300 m, 24 Feb. 2008, Lehtonen S et al. 601 ( SP, TUR); Parque Estadual da Serra do Mar, Núcleo Caraguatatuba, estrada da Intermediaria, Rio Pardo , S23°40' W45°39', 715 m, 8 Mar. 2008, Lehtonen S et al. 637 ( SP, TUR); Iporanga , Prado J et al. 956 ( INPA, NY); Brotas, Mata do Veiro Municipal , 14 July 1991, Salino 934 ( BHCB, UEC).

Note — Salpichlaena volubilis subsp. volubilis differs from the other subspecies by its narrow pinnules with herbaceous (to chartaceous) lamina texture and non-cartilaginous to only slightly cartilaginous margin. Some specimens of subsp. crenata with nearly entire pinnule apices and lanceolate pinnules approach subsp. volubilis and cannot be reliably identified. We place the specimens from the Atlantic rain forest to subsp. volubilis and the specimens from eastern Amazonia, the Caribbean and Guyanas to subsp. crenata , but the distinction in morphology is diffuse and the amount of genetic variation within subsp. crenata is high.

Figures

Map 1 Distribution of Salpichlaena hookeriana (Kuntze) Alston (■), S. hybrida Lehtonen, G.G.Cárdenas & Tuomisto (▲), S. papyrus G.G.Cárdenas, Tuomisto & Lehtonen (●), S. volubilis (Kaulf.) J.Sm. subsp. volubilis (◆), S. volubilis subsp. amazonica G.G.Cárdenas & Tuomisto (◆), S. volubilis subsp.crenata G.G.Cárdenas & Tuomisto (), S. volubilis subsp.thalassica (Grayum & R.C. Moran) G.G.Cárdenas & Tuomisto (◆).

Fig. 3 Sterile pinnule apices of Salpichlaena. a. S. hookeriana; b. S. hybrida; c. S. papyrus; d. S. volubilis subsp. amazonica; e. S. volubilis subsp. crenata; f. S. volubilis subsp. thalassica; g. S. volubilis subsp. volubilis (a. Tuomisto 12785; b. Christenhusz 2460 3/3; c. Jones 165; d. Tuomisto 16550; e. Christenhusz 2729; f. Tuomisto 15144; g. Christenhusz 4950 2/4; all TUR). — Scale bar: 1 cm.