Asplenium anceps

Asplenium anceps
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Pteridophyta
Class: Polypodiopsida
Order: Polypodiales
Family: Aspleniaceae
Genus: Asplenium
Species: A. anceps
Binomial name
Asplenium anceps
[Lowe ex Hook. et Grev. Page (1971)]

Asplenium anceps is a diploid fern of Aspleniaceae family and one of the ancestors of the ferns that form the trichomanes complex. It lives exclusively in the three northernmost islands of the Macaronesian region, that is, is an endemic macaronesian fern. Its fronds are leathery and plastic and rachis is very thick, bright reddish brown and is traversed throughout its length of three wings, two on the upper surface to draw a groove and a third on the lower surface which is characteristic and unique to this species, since all other species of the trichomanes complex without. A typical feature of this fern, which he shares with all its hybrid offspring ( Asplenium azoricum, Asplenium azomanes and Asplenium X tubalense ) is the existence of a small atrium on the basis of medium and less pinnae directed toward the apex of the blade with one or two sori on its underside.

Habitat

It grows in the shade of laurel forests and high mountain pine forests between the stones of the walls and crevices of volcanic rock oriented north and northwest, on a base of moss and lichen.

Distribution

It lives in Azores, Madeira and Canary Islands.

Hybrids

References

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