Volume 3 > Part 4 > Year 1989 > Page 529–530 > Polypodiaceae > Microsorum

6. Microsorum pteropus (Blume) Copel.wfo-0001117269

Univ. Calif. Publ. Bot. 16: 112. 1929; Ching, Bull. Fan Mem. Inst. Biol. 4: 312. 1933; Tardieu & C.Chr. In Fl. Indo-Chine: 7(2): 484. 1941; Holttum, Rev. Fl. Malaya 2: 172. f. 80. 1955; Dansk Bot. Ark. 23: 230. 1965; Tagawa & K.Iwats., S.E. Asian Stud. 3(3): 77. 1965; 5: 53. 1967.— Polypodium pteropus Blume, Enum. Pl. Javae. 2: add. 3. 1828, Fl. Javae Fil.: 168. t. 76. 1829.— Pleopeltis pteropus (Blume) Bedd., Handb. Ferns Brit. India: 359. f. 203. 1883.

Accepted Name : Leptochilus pteropus (Blume) Fraser-Jenk.
Taxon. Revis. Indian Subcontinental Pteridophytes: 62. 2008.

Description : Rhizome long-creeping, 1–2 mm diam., bearing fronds rather closely, densely scaly; scales oblong-lanceolate, gradually narrowing towards apex, round at base, up to 5 by 1.5 mm, brown, distinctly clathrate, the cells rather regular arranged longitudinally, the margin entire. Stipes 0.5 mm or so apart from the next ones, stramineous, with the scales like those on rhizome but smaller in size, up to 15 cm long, winged on upper portion. Laminae simple to trifoliate, simple laminae broadest at lower ⅓ portion, narrowing towards attenuate base, decurrent apex, entire, up to 15 by 3.5 cm, the lateral lobes of trifoliate laminae various in size and form, rarely almost the same as the terminal lobes, usually narrower, terminal lobes like simple laminae; midrib raised on both surfaces, more or less minutely scaly; lateral main veins distinct beneath, the other veins hardly visible or distinct, anastomosing with a row of main areoles along both sides of midrib and many smaller areoles in irregular arrangment; thinly papyraceous to herbaceous, dark green to blackish in colour. Sori round to more or less elongate, many, irregularly scattered on the under surface of fronds.

Thailand : NORTHERN: Chiang Rai (Mae Lao), Chiang Mai (Doi Chiang Dao, Doi Saket), Lampang (Mae Long), Tak, Phitsanulok (Thung Salaeng Luang); NORTH-EASTERN: Loei (Phu Luang); EASTERN: Buri Ram (Bu Khanun), Chaiyaphum; CENTRAL: Nakhon Nayok (Khao Yai), Saraburi (Muak Lek); SOUTH-EASTERN: Chanthaburi (Pong Nam Ron); SOUTH-WESTERN: Ratchaburi, Kanchanaburi (Khao Ri Yai), Prachuap Khiri Khan (Huai Yang); PENINSULAR: Chumphon (Ban Tha Ngo), Ranong (Mueang Laen), Surat Thani (Ko Samui, Ban Don), Nakhon Si Thammarat (Khao Luang, Thap Chang, Khiriwaong), Trang (Khao Chong), Satun (Bukit Racha Wang), Yala (Bannang Sata).

Distribution : India to Malesia (type from Java), north to S China and the Ryukyus.

Ecology : On wet rocks in stream-beds in dense gloomy forests at low to medium altitudes less than 800 m, usually in spraying water, not so rare throughout the country.

Vernacular : Kut hang nok kaling (กูดหางนกกะลิง)(Peninsular).

Notes: The location of fronds is various and there are colonies including only the simple form, i.e. var. minor (Bedd.) Ching, though this is hardly distinguished as a variety. The venation is rather peculiar: the main lateral veins form a row of main areoles including many smaller areoles, and at the outside of main areoles there are smaller ones with veins more distinct than those of included smaller areoles. The sori are sometimes elongate to form areoles, usually only in the main areoles. The size is much larger in some foreign plants, and the variation in size and form is comprehensive, though the habitat of this species is peculiar, usually in the stream-beds where will be wholly immersed when the level of water in the river will be a little higher.

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