Volume 3 > Part 3 > Year 1988 > Page 298 > Blechnaceae > Blechnum

1. Blechnum orientale L.wfo-0001107240

Sp. Pl. 1077. 1753; Bedd., Handb. Ferns Brit. India: 132. f. 66. 1883; Christ, Bot. Tidsskr. 24: 107. 1901; C.Chr., Bot. Tidsskr. 32: 346. 1916; Contr. U.S. Natl. Herb. 26: 333. 1931; Tardieu & C.Chr. In Fl. Indo-Chine 7(2): 207. f. 26, 1–2. 1940; Holttum, Rev. Fl. Malaya 2: 446. f. 262. 1955; Dansk Bot. Ark. 20: 29. 1961; Seidenf., Nat. Hist. Bull. Siam Soc. 19: 87. 1958; Tagawa & K.Iwats., S.E. Asian Stud. 3(3): 84. 1965; 5: 88. 1967.

Accepted Name : This is currently accepted.

Description : Rhizome thick, ascending or suberect, densely covered with scales; scales linear, gradually narrowing towards apex, 2 cm or more long, up to 2 mm broad, tailed at apex, dark brown with pale cartilaginous edges which sometimes becoming uneven. Stipe stout, stramineous, or sometimes purplish when young, up to 60 cm long, densely scaly at base, bearing small auricles (reduced pinnae) throughout. Lateral pinnae many in number, close, 2–3 cm apart from each other, ascending, linear, gradually narrowing towards long-tailed apex, round or subtruncate at sessile base, or decurrent at posterior base and adnate in the upper ones, entire, 30 by 1.2–2 cm; veins simple or forked usually near costa, distinct on both surfaces, very close, up to 0.5 mm apart; coriaceous, green, glabrous throughout. Sori narrow, long-continuous along costa; indusia narrow, usually broken before maturity.

Thailand : NORTHERN: Chiang Rai (Doi Tung), Chiang Mai (Kong Kat, Doi Suthep, Mae Rim), Tak (Ban Musoe, Rahaeng); NORTH-EASTERN: Loei (Phu Ruea, Phu Luang, Phu Kradueng), Nong Khai, Udon Thani (Phon Phisai); EASTERN: Chaiyaphum (Khao Kong); CENTRAL: Nakhon Nayok (Khao Yai); SOUTH-EASTERN: Chanthaburi (Laem Sing, Phlio Falls, Makham, Khao Sabap), Trat (Ko Kut, Ko Chang); PENINSULAR: Chumphon (Lang Suan, Ban Pak Chan), Ranong (Nok Nang), Surat Thani (Ban Don), Nakhon Si Thammarat (Khao Luang, Thap Chang), Phangnga (between Thanun and Phangnga), Trang (Khao Chong), Satun, Narathiwat (Waeng, Su-ngai Padi), Yala (Betong, Bannang Sata).

Distribution : Tropics of Asia, Australia and the Pacific, India to Polynesia, north to southern edge of Japan (Yakushima).

Ecology : On rather dry open slopes or in light shade at low or medium altitudes throughout Thailand.

Vernacular : Kut khang fan (กูดข้างฟาน)(Northern); kut doi (กูดดอย)(Central); mahasadam (มหาสะดำ)(Southeastern).

Notes: This is a common species in the lowland, variable in size and texture. In shade the plants bear broader, thinner, paler pinnae which are more spaced. The edge of the pinnae in usually inrolled. Which is not unusual for plants in shade.

E-version notes : For more details see Ferns of Thailand, Laos and Cambodia.