Meniscium Schreb.

Castro-Aguiar, Pedro Henrique, Fernandes, Rozijane Santos & Zappi, Daniela Cristina, 2025, Ferns of the Parque Nacional das Nascentes do Rio Parnaíba Brazilian Cerrado, Rodriguesia (e 00612024) 76, pp. 1-24 : 19

16. Meniscium Schreb.

This genus consists of around 25 species in the Neotropical region ( Fernandes & Salino 2020). In Brazil, twelve species occur, of which a single one recorded in the study area, Meniscium delicatum R.S. Fernandes & Salino , is endemic (Amazonas, Goiás, Maranhão, Mato Grosso do Sul, PiauÍ) ( Salino et al. 2023). In the study area, four species were recorded.

Key for the species of Meniscium in the PNNRP, Brazil

1. Pinnae with serrate margins......................................................................................16.4. Meniscium serratum

1’. Pinnae with entire, undulate, or crenate margins.

2. Twisted acicular hairs on the costae and veins abaxially, rarely on the laminar tissue and between the veins; 1–2 pairs of distal pinnae abruptly reduced............................. 16.1. Meniscium arborescens

2’. Only glandular hairs or glandular hairs and sparse acicular hairs present on the costae, veins, and laminar tissue between the veins abaxially; distal pinnae not abruptly reduced.

3. Laminae membranaceus; median pinnae 1.6–2.3 cm wide, with two kinds of hairs, glandular and sparse acicular, present on the costae, veins, and laminar tissue between the veins abaxially, 6–8 areoles between the costae and the margin; sporangium receptacle with acicular hairs ... .....................................................................................................................16.2. Meniscium delicatum

3’. Laminae chartaceous; median pinnae 2.7–3.8 cm wide, with only glandular hairs abaxially, 9–12 areoles between the costae and the margin; sporangium receptacle with glandular hairs ............................................................................................................... 16.3. Meniscium maxonianum