Polypodiaceae Subfam. 3. Platycerioideae [Draft]

14. Pyrrosia Mirbel in Lamarck & Mirbel, Hist. Nat. Vιg. 3. 471. 1803, [‘1802’].

石韦属  shi wei shu

Drymoglossum C. Presl [Tent. Pterid. 227. 1836 [Type: Pyrrosia piloselloides (Linnaeus) Price]]; Saxiglossum Ching [Contr. Inst. Bot. Natl. Acad. Peiping 2(1): 5, pl. 2[??p. 1]. 1933. [Type: Saxiglossum angustissimum (Giesenhagen ex Diels) Ching]].

Plants epiphytic and epilithic, small to middle sized. Rhizomes short- to long-creeping, densely scaly. Fronds monomorphic or dimorphic, remote or clustered, covered with stellate hairs; lamina simple, rarely hastate or palmate[pedate?]; main veins distinct; lateral veins obliquely spreading, distinct or obscure; veinlets distinct or obscure and joined into different types of areolae, these with included veinlets, mostly ending with an adaxial hydathode. Sori round, borne at ends of included veinlets, in one to several rows on each side of main veins, exindusiate, sometimes with stellate paraphyses. Sporangia sessile to long-stalked. Spore elliptic, variously ornamented. x = 37.

[??Distribution] 34 species in China (nine endemic).

1a...... Longitudinally elongated sori (coenosori) present.

2a...... Sterile fronds distinctly wider than fertile ones, sori superficial ................................  30. P. piloselloides [??]

2b..... All fronds narrow, thickly fleshy, fertile fronds in cross section almost round with sori deeply embedded in a groove in lamina ..................................................................................................................................  31. P. angustissima [??]

1b..... All sori round or only slightly elongated.

3a...... Rhizome scales basifixed, base cordate, rhizome tissue uniformly sclerified, without separate sclerified strands; sori with few (ca. 10) sporangia.

4a...... Lamina narrowly elliptic, base cuneate .....................................................................................  22. P. stigmosa

4b..... Lamina obovate to oblanceolate, base gradually decurrent ....................................................  19. P. costata

3b..... Rhizome scales pseudopeltate or peltate, rhizome tissue centrally parenchymatous, with or without sclerified strands; sori with more than 10 sporangia.

5a...... Sori in a single row between midrib and margin .................................................................  23. P. linearifolia

5b..... Sori in several rows between midrib and margin.

6a.      Sori in distinct pits, with central bundle of stellate paraphyses.

7a...... Rhizome scales broadly lanceolate, margins entire; lamina strap-shaped, up to 60 cm  3. P. longifolia

7b..... Rhizome scales linear-lanceolate, margins ciliate; lamina linear-lanceolate, 4–25 cm (P. lanceolata s.l.)

8a...... Fronds distinctly dimorphic: sterile fronds: stipe up to 1–1.5 cm; lamina 2–4 Χ 0.8–1 cm; fertile fronds nearly sessile; lamina 8–15 Χ 0.5–0.8 cm ................................................................................  1. P. adnascens

8b..... Fronds monomorphic or subdimorphic.

9a...... Lamina subglabrous, with sparse indument, abaxial surface green ............................  4. P. nuda

9b..... Lamina with thick and persistent indument, abaxial surface gray .....................  5. P. lanceolata

6b..... Sori superficial, without central bundle of paraphyses.

10a.... Indument loose, with narrow stellate rays; fronds strongly dimorphic: sterile lamina 1.5–2 Χ 1.2–1.5 cm, base cordate to rounded or occasionally cuneate; fertile lamina 5–7 Χ 0.3–1.1 cm, base cuneate to gradually attenuate .....................................................................................................................................  28. P. nummularifolia

10b... Indument appressed with hairs with wide stellate rays; fronds not or weakly dimorphic.

11a.... Adaxial surface of lamina without hydathodes.

12a.... Indument appressed, hairs with wide stellate rays; fronds not or only weakly dimorphic  16. P. heteractis

[??no 12b.]

description states that P. heteractis has dimorphic fronds

11b... Adaxial surface of lamina with distinct hydathodes.

13a.... Fronds sessile or only shortly stipitate, lamina base gradually decurrent.

14a.... Indument of sterile parts monomorphic, rays always very unequal, lamina linear-lanceolate        12. P. assimilis

14b... Indument of sterile parts dimorphic, with curled and straight rays, latter mostly equal in length.

15a.... Rhizome scales entire to dentate, pseudopeltate .............................................  32. P. mannii

15b... Rhizome scales ciliate, peltate (P. porosa s.l.).

16a.... Sporangia sessile or subsessile .............................................................  29. P. stenophylla

16b... Sporangia stalks 1/2–1 Χ as long as long as sporangia (P. porosa s.l.)

17a.... Fronds 0.5–1 cm wide, indument on abaxial surface appressed
..................................................................................................................  25. P. tonkinensis

17b... Fronds to 2.5–3.6 cm wide, indument not appressed.

davidii fronds 0.5–1.5(–2) cm wide; nudicaulis 1.2–3.6 cm; porosa 0.7–2.5 cm

18a.... Indument monomorphic ..................................................................................  13. P. davidii

18b... Indument dimorphic.

19a.... Fronds distinctly stipitate .....................................................................  30. P. nudicaulis

19b... Fronds with at most an indistinct stipe, lamina base decurrent ............  31. P. porosa

13b... Fronds distinctly stipitate, lamina base cuneate or truncate.

20a.... Rhizome long-creeping; fronds distant.

21a.... Rhizome filiform, less than 1 mm in diam.; fronds slightly falcate, with short stipes; rays of stellate hairs of superficial layer deep brown and unequal in length, usually with long acicular rays directed away from lamina .............................................................................................................................................  26. P. laevis

21b... Rhizome 1–4 mm in diam.; fronds not falcate, stipes ?; rays of stellate hairs of superficial layer [color, length?], not with particularly long rays directed away from lamina.

22a.... Stellate hairs with monomorphic rays.

23a.... Lamina usually 3–6 cm; stipe usually 1–2 Χ as long as lamina; lateral veinlets indistinct, hydathodes deeply sunken .....................................................................................................  8. P. petiolosa

23b... Lamina 10 cm or longer; stipe shorter than lamina; lateral veins distinct, hydathodes superficial or slightly sunken (P. lingua var. lingua s.l.)

24a.... Lamina apex long caudate, papery, indument sparse .............................  7. P. caudifrons

24b... Lamina apex obtuse or shortly acuminate, [##], indument dense ...............  9. P. lingua

22b... Stellate hairs with dimorphic rays (P. lingua var. heteractis s.l.)

25a.... Rhizome scales entire ..............................................................................................  2. P. ensata

25b... Rhizome scales ciliate.

26a.... Plants up to ca. 6 cm tall, margins of rhizome scales entire ................  18. P. fuohaiensis

26b... Plants over 20 cm tall, margins of rhizome scales ciliate.

27a.... Lamina 4–6 cm wide, apex caudate .......................................................  16. P. heteractis

27b... Lamina 2–2.5 cm wide, apex obtuse or rounded ...............................  17. P. eberhardtii

20b... Rhizome shortly creeping; fronds close together.

28a.... Lamina deeply hastately or pedately lobed; rhizome scales peltate.

29a.... Lamina hastately 3–5-lobed ......................................................................................  6. P. hastata

29b... Lamina pedately 6–8-lobed ...........................................................................  11. P. polydactylos

28b... Lamina simple or at most with a few short lobes at base; rhizome scales pseudopeltate.

30a.... Rhizome scales with acumen entire ..................................................................  20. P. flocculosa

30b... Rhizome scales with acumen dentate or ciliate.

31a.... Indument dense, persistent; lamina base unequal or strongly unequal, truncate.

32a.... Indument with monomorphic, wide, flat rays, lamina base strongly unequal  10. P. sheareri

32b... Indument with dimorphic rays, straight ones narrow; lamina base slightly unequal  33. P. drakeana

31b... Indument thin, often not persistent; lamina base equal or slightly unequal, cuneate (P. subfurfuracea s.l.)

33a.... Indument with monomorphic rays.

34a.... Lamina 6–8 cm wide, base cuneate, slightly decurrent .............  14. P. shennongensis

34b... Lamina 2–5 cm wide, base narrowly cuneate, long decurrent ...............  15. P. calvata

33b... Indument clearly with dimorphic rays.

35a.... Indument appressed, straight rays of stellate hairs mostly inconspicuous  24. P. similis

35b... Indument not appressed, straight rays of stellate hairs erect-spreading.

36a.... Stipes less than 15 cm, scales entire ........................................  34. P. subfurfuracea

36b... Stipes over 15 cm, scales ciliate or dentate.

37a.... Lamina 15–30 Χ 3.5–4.5 cm, scales ciliate ...........................................  27. P. bonii

37b... Lamina up to 15 Χ 3.5 cm, scales dentate ...............................  21. P. subtruncata

1. Pyrrosia adnascens (Swartz) Ching, Bull. Chin. Bot. Soc. 1: 45. 1935.

贴生石韦  tie sheng shi wei

Polypodium adnascens Swartz, Syn. Fil. 25, 222. 1806; Cyclophorus adnascens (Swartz) Desvaux; C. pustulosus H. Christ; Niphobolus adnascens (Swartz) Kaulfuss.

Rhizome long-creeping, 1.2–2.1 mm in diam., in cross section usually with a single, central sclerenchyma strand; phyllopodia 1–2 cm apart, lateral buds alternating with phyllopodia. Scales peltate, 3.4–4.4 Χ 0.3–1.3 mm, base entire to ciliate; acumen light brown, often with a distinct hyaline margin, ciliate. Fronds dimorphic. Sterile fronds: stipe up to 1–1.5 cm; lamina 2–4 Χ 0.8–1 cm, base cuneate, apex rounded, obtuse, or acute. Fertile fronds nearly sessile; lamina widest below or about middle, 8–15 Χ 0.5–0.8 cm, base cuneate to narrowly cuneate, apex obtuse to acute. Hydathodes rarely present, few and indistinct. Indument monomorphic, sparse to dense, persistent to fugacious, whitish or brown; hairs 0.2–1.2 mm with spreading to appressed, boat-shaped to ± acicular rays. Sori distinctly sunken, with a distinct central bundle of stellate paraphyses. Sporangia with stalks 1.5–2 Χ as long as capsule.

On tree trunks or rocks; 100–1300 m. Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, Taiwan, Yunnan [Cambodia, India (Sikkim), Nepal, Vietnam, Thailand].

The whole plant is used in traditional Chinese medicine for inflammation, to clear away heat, and as a detoxifying agent for scrofula.

The two forms include f. adnascens: Plants 5–12 cm tall, hydathodes without calcareous scales, indument thin; and f. calcicola K. H. Shing (J. Jap. Bot. 72: 28. 1997): Plants much smaller, sterile fronds ca. 2 Χ 1.5 cm, fertile fronds ca. 7 Χ 1 cm, hydathodes with calcareous scales, indument thick, occurring on mountain tops in Lingyun, Guangxi.

2. Pyrrosia ensata Ching ex K. H. Shing, J. Jap. Bot. 72: 28. 1997.

剑叶石韦  jian ye shi wei

Plants 10–30 cm tall. Rhizome long-creeping, 1.2–3.7 mm in diam., in cross-section sometimes with a single, central sclerenchyma strand; phyllopodia (0.5–)2–8 cm apart, lateral buds alternating with phyllopodia. Scales peltate, (2.2–)4–9.5 Χ 0.7–1.6 mm, base entire to irregularly dentate; acumen shiny, light brown, entire. Fronds dimorphic, stipitate. Sterile fronds: stipe 1–6 cm; lamina widest at middle, 13–24 Χ 1.6–3 cm, base cuneate, decurrent, apex long acuminate. Fertile fronds usually much longer and narrower. Hydathodes distinct, superficial, rarely distinctly sunken. Indument persistent, dimorphic, light to grayish brown, thin; hairs 0.3–0.5 mm in diam., with appressed, boat-shaped upper rays. Sori superficial, without central bundle of paraphyses. Sporangia with stalks Ύ–1 Χ as long as capsule.

* On tree trunks of evergreen broad-leaved forest understories; 800–1800 m. Xizang, Yunnan.

3. Pyrrosia longifolia (N. L. Burman) Morton, J. Wash. Acad. Sci. 36: 168. 1946.

南洋石韦  nan yang shi wei

Acrostichum longifolium N. L. Burman, Fl. Ind. 228. 1768; Candollea longifolia Mirbel; Cyclophorus acrostichoides (G. Forster) C. Presl; C. induratus H. Christ; C. longifolius (N. L. Burman) Desvaux; C. scolopendrium Desvaux; Niphobolus acrostichoides (Swartz) Beddome, Ferns Brit. India (1868) p. 1, 81, not Kaulfuss (1824); N. longifolius Sprengel; N. scolopendrium T. Moore[??not in IPNI or Tropicos]; Polypodium acrostichoides G. Forster; Pyrrosia acrostichoides (G. Forster) Ching.

Plants 20–50 cm tall. Rhizome long-creeping, 1.8–2.7 mm in diam., in cross section with many scattered sclerenchyma strands; phyllopodia 2–6 cm apart, lateral buds alternating with phyllopodia. Scales peltate, 1–3.4 Χ 0.6–1.5 mm, shiny brown or blackish with a distinct, light colored, entire margin. Fronds monomorphic, distinctly to indistinctly stipitate; stipe 1.5–5 cm; lamina strap-shaped, 16–60 Χ 1–3 cm, often ± narrowed in fertile part, base ± gradually narrowed, apex acute to rounded. Hydathodes absent. Indument sometimes fugacious, monomorphic, sparse or thin; hairs 0.3–0.4 mm in diam., with appressed, boat-shaped rays. Sori sunken, with central bundle of stellate paraphyses. Sporangia with stalks up to 2 Χ as long as capsule.

On tree trunks or shaded wet rocks in forests; 300–1400 m. Hainan, Yunnan [Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam; SW Asia, Australia, Pacific islands].

Small plants of Pyrrosia longifolia can be superficially similar to P. lanceolata or P. nuda. Pyrrosia longifolia is best distinguished by the completely entire rhizome scales (ciliate in P. lanceolata and P. nuda). 

4. Pyrrosia nuda (Giesenhagen) Ching, Bull. Chin. Bot . Soc. 1: 70. 1935.

裸叶石韦  luo ye shi wei

Niphobolus nudus Giesenhagen, Niphobolus 149. 1901; Cyclophorus nudus (Giesenhagen) C. Christensen.

Plants 10–20 cm tall. Rhizome long-creeping, 1.2–2.1 mm in diam., in cross section usually with a single, central sclerenchyma strand; phyllopodia 1–2 cm apart, lateral buds alternating with phyllopodia. Scales peltate, 3.9–7.8 Χ 0.3–1.3 mm, base entire to ciliate; acumen light brown, often with a distinct hyaline margin, ciliate; short, round to ovate scales usually present. Fronds subdimorphic. Stipes 1–4 cm; lamina widest below or about middle, 10–25 Χ 1–1.8 cm, base attenuate, decurrent, apex long caudate. Fertile fronds narrower. Hydathodes rarely present, few and indistinct. Indument monomorphic, sparse, whitish to brown; hairs 0.2–1.2 mm with erect-spreading to appressed, boat-shaped to ± acicular rays. Sori sunken, with a distinct central bundle of stellate paraphyses. Sporangia with stalks 1.5–2 Χ as long as capsule.

On tree trunks of forest understories; 500–1500 m. Hainan, Sichuan, Yunnan [Bhutan, Myanmar, Nepal].

5. Pyrrosia lanceolata (Linnaeus) Farwell, Amer. Midl. Nat. 12: 245. 1930.

披针叶石韦  pi zhen shi wei

Acrostichum lanceolatum Linnaeus, Sp. Pl. 2: 1067. 1753; A. dubium Poiret; Candollea lanceolata Mirbel ex Desvaux, pro syn.; Cyclophorus cornutus Copeland; C. giesenhagenii (H. Christ) C. Christensen; C. glaber Desvaux; C. lanceolatus (Linnaeus) Alston; C. pustulosus H. Christ; C. spissus (Bory) Desvaux; C. vittarioides C. Presl; Gymnopteris lanceolata T. Moore; Niphobolus adnascens Kaulfuss var. spissum Keyserling; N. giesenhagenii H. Christ; N. glaber (Desvaux) Kaulfuss, Enum. Filic. 127. 1824, nom. superfl.; N. lanceolatus Trimen, J. Linn. Soc., Bot. 24: 152. 1886, nom. illeg., not N. lanceolatus Keyserling, Polyp. Herb. Bunge 39. 1873 = Pleopeltis macrocarpa (Bory ex Willdenow) Kaulfuss; N. spissus Kaulfuss; N. vittarioides T. Moore, Index Filic. 276. 1861, not C. Presl (1836); Polypodium dubium Kuhn, Filic. Afr. 147. 1868, not Roxburgh (1844), nor (H. Karsten) Hooker (1864, nom. illeg.); P. spissum Bory ex Willdenow; P. vittarioides Wallich ex Mettenius; Pyrrosia cornuta (Copeland) Tagawa.

Plants 5–12 cm. Rhizome long-creeping, 1.2–2.1 mm in diam., in cross section usually with a single, central sclerenchyma strand; phyllopodia 1–2 cm apart, lateral buds alternating with phyllopodia. Scales peltate, 3.4–7.8 Χ 0.3–1.3 mm, base entire to ciliate; acumen light brown, often with a distinct hyaline margin, ciliate; short, round to ovate scales usually present. Fronds monomorphic, up to 0.5–1 cm stipitate; lamina widest about middle, 4–14 Χ ca. 0.6 cm, base attenuate, long decurrent, apex obtuse. Hydathodes rarely present, few and indistinct. Indument persistent, monomorphic, dense, whitish or brown; hairs 0.2–1.2 mm with erect-spreading to appressed, boat-shaped to ± acicular rays. Sori sunken, with a distinct central bundle of stellate paraphyses. Sporangia with stalks 1.5–2 Χ as long as capsule.

On rocks or tree trunks of rain forest understories; 700–2000 m. Xizang, Yunnan [Bhutan, Indonesia, Myanmar, Nepal, New Guinea, Reunion [??okay here or move to after semicolon], Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam]. [I included all countries from which types are cited under this species].

6. Pyrrosia hastata (Thunberg) Ching, Bull. Chin. Bot. Soc. 1: 48. 1935.

戟叶石韦  ji ye shi wei

Acrostichum hastatum Houttuyn, Nat. Hist. 2(14): 68. 1783, invalid [Thunberg, Syst. Veg., ed. 14 (J. A. Murray). 928. 1784]; Cyclophorus hastatus (Thunberg) C. Christensen; C. tricuspis Desvaux ex T. Moore, Ind. Fil. 276. 1861, nom. superfl.[??not in IPNI or Tropicos]; Niphobolus hastatus Kunze; N. tricuspe J. Smith, Hist. Fil. 98. 1875, nom. superfl.; Polycampium hastatum C. Presl; Polypodium tricuspe Swartz; Pyrrosia tricuspis (Swartz) Tagawa, J. Jap. Bot. 32: 354. 1957, nom. superfl.

Plants 10–20 cm tall or taller. Rhizome short, up to ± 5 mm in diam., in cross section with many scattered sclerenchyma strands; phyllopodia close together, lateral buds basal on phyllopodia. Scales peltate, 1.5–2.5 Χ 0.5–0.9 mm, blackish with a distinct light margin, ciliate. Fronds monomorphic, stipitate; stipe 4–23 cm, 1.5–2 Χ as long as lamina; lamina widest near base, 6–12 Χ 6–9 cm; pedately lobed to ± 4/5 in 3–5 divisions; middle lobe up to 1.5–3.5 cm wide, lateral ones increasingly smaller; lamina base truncate to cordate, often slightly unequal, slightly decurrent. Hydathodes distinct, superficial to slightly sunken, without central bundle of paraphyses. Indument persistent, monomorphic, dense, brown; hairs 0.3–0.5(–0.8) mm in diam., with appressed, boat-shaped rays. Sori superficial, without central bundle of paraphyses. Sporangia sessile.

On tree trunks or wet mossy rocks of forest understories. Anhui [Japan, Korea].

7. Pyrrosia caudifrons Ching, Boufford & K. H. Shing, J. Arnold Arbor. 64: 37. 1983.

尾叶石韦  wei ye shi wei

Plants 20–30 cm tall. Rhizome long-creeping, 1.2–3.7 mm in diam., phyllopodia (0.5–)2–8 cm apart, in cross section sometimes with a single, central sclerenchyma strand; lateral buds alternating with phyllopodia. Scales peltate, (2.2–)4–9.5 Χ 0.7–1.6 mm; base entire to irregularly dentate; acumen shiny, light brown, with long, curly marginal cilia; short, ± ovate scales occasionally present. Fronds monomorphic or slightly dimorphic, stipitate; stipe 6–12 cm; lamina widest at or below middle, 12–16 Χ 3.5–7 cm, base attenuate, apex long caudate. Fertile fronds usually narrower. Hydathodes distinct, ± superficial, rarely distinctly sunken. Indument persistent, monomorphic, thin, light to grayish brown; hairs 0.3–0.5 mm in diam., with appressed, boat-shaped rays. Sori superficial, without central bundle of paraphyses. Sporangia with stalks Ύ–1 Χ as long as capsule.

* On rocks of slopes; 1100–2000 m. Hubei, Sichuan.

8. Pyrrosia petiolosa (H. Christ) Ching, Bull. Chin. Bot. Soc. 1: 59. 1935.

有柄石韦  you bing shi wei

Polypodium petiolosum H. Christ, Nuovo Giorn. Bot. Ital., n.s., 4: 96. 1897; Cyclophorus petiolosus (H. Christ) C. Christensen; Niphobolus petiolosa (H. Christ) Diels.

Plants 5–15 cm tall. Rhizome long-creeping, 1–2.5 mm in diam., phyllopodia 0.5–2.5 cm apart, in cross section with few scattered sclerenchyma strands; lateral buds alternating with phyllopodia. Scales peltate, 2.2–4.4 Χ 0.6–1 mm; base entire to dentate; acumen dull brown with a shiny black spot near attachment, ciliate. Fronds slightly dimorphic, stipitate. Sterile fronds: stipe 1–16 cm, (1/15–)1/5–1 1/2 Χ as long as lamina; lamina 1.5–7(–10.5) Χ 0.7–2.2(–3.3) cm, widest near middle, base cuneate to attenuate, apex acute to rounded. Fertile fronds: stipe 0.5–12 cm, 0.5–1.5 Χ as long as lamina, 1–8.5 Χ 0.5–2 cm. Hydathodes distinct, distinctly sunken. Indument persistent, monomorphic, dense, light gray to brown; hairs 0.4–0.6 mm in diam., with appressed, boat-shaped rays. Sori superficial, without central bundle of paraphyses. Sporangia with stalks 1–2 Χ as long as capsule.

Mostly on dry and open rocks; 200–2200 m. Guizhou, Hebei, Henan, Hubei, Jiangsu, Jilin, Shaanxi, Shandong, Shanxi, Sichuan, Yunnan, Zhejiang [Korea, Mongolia, Russia].

The whole plant is used in traditional Chinese medicine for diuresis, to clear away heat, and eliminate wetness.

9. Pyrrosia lingua (Thunberg) Farwell, Amer. Midl. Nat. 12: 302. 1931.

石韦    shi wei

Acrostichum lingua Thunberg, Syst. Veg., ed. 14 (J. A. Murray). 928. 1784; Cyclophorus bodinieri H. Lιveillι; C. lingua (Thunberg) Desvaux; C. lingua var. angustifrons Hayata; C. lingua var. attenuata Rosenstock; C. martini (H. Christ) C. Christensen; C. taiwanensis (H. Christ) C. Christensen; Niphobolus lingua Sprengel; N. martini H. Christ; Polycampium lingua C. Presl; Polypodium lingua (Thunberg) Swartz; P. taiwanense H. Christ; Pyrrosia martinii (H. Christ) Ching; P. medogensis Ching & S. K. Wu.

Plants 10–30 cm tall. Rhizome long-creeping, 1.2–3.7 mm in diam., in cross section sometimes with a single, central sclerenchyma strand; phyllopodia (0.5–)2–8 cm apart, lateral buds alternating with phyllopodia. Scales peltate, (2.2–)4–9.5 Χ 0.7–1.6 mm, base entire to irregularly dentate; acumen shiny light brown, with long, curly marginal cilia; short, ± ovate scales occasionally present. Fronds subdimorphic, stipitate. Sterile fronds: stipe 1–30 cm, lamina (5–)10–20 Χ 1.5–5 cm, base ± gradually attenuate, apex shortly acuminate. Fertile fronds: stipe 1.5–25 cm; lamina widest at or below middle, 5.5–22 Χ 0.8–3 cm. Hydathodes distinct, ± superficial, rarely distinctly sunken. Indument persistent, monomorphic, thin, light to grayish brown; hairs 0.3–0.5 mm in diam., with appressed, boat-shaped rays. Sori superficial, without central bundle of paraphyses. Sporangia with stalks Ύ–1 Χ as long as capsule.

On tree trunks of forest understories or on rather dry rocks; 100–1800 m. Anhui, Fujian, Gansu, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hainan, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Liaoning, Sichuan, Taiwan, Yunnan, Zhejiang [India, Japan, Korea, Myanmar, Vietnam].

The whole plant is used in traditional Chinese medicine for diuresis, to clear away heat and eliminate wetness for puncture[??] wounds, and for burns, scalds, and diseases due to asthenia [heat stress?] of the viscera.

10. Pyrrosia sheareri (Baker) Ching, Bull. Chin. Bot. Soc. 1: 64. 1935.

庐山石韦    lu sha shi wei

Polypodium sheareri Baker, J. Bot. Lond. 13: 201. 1875; Cyclophorus drakeanus (Franchet) C. Christensen f. maxima Y. C. Wu; C. grandissimus Hayata; C. inaequalis (H. Christ) C. Christensen; C. sheareri (Baker) C. Christensen; C. sheareri f. maxima (Y. C. Wu) C. Christensen; Niphobolus inaequalis H. Christ; N. sheareri Diels; Pyrrosia grandissima (Hayata) Ching; P. nanchuanensis Ching.

Plants 20–50 cm tall. Rhizome short (rarely shortly elongated), 2.4–7 mm in diam., in cross section with many scattered sclerenchyma strands; phyllopodia contiguous, rarely ca. 0.5 cm apart, lateral buds basal on phyllopodia. Scales dull brown to blackish, pseudopeltate, 2.7–4.7 Χ 0.7–1.2 mm, ciliate. Fronds monomorphic, stipitate, stipe 3.5–5 cm; lamina widest near base, 10–30 Χ 2.5–6 cm, base cordate-truncate to ± cuneate, often unequal, apex acuminate. Hydathodes distinct, distinctly sunken. Indument persistent, monomorphic, dense, brown to grayish brown; hairs 0.3–0.5(–1) mm in diam., with appressed, boat-shaped rays. Sori superficial, without central bundle of paraphyses. Sporangia on stalks to 1/2 Χ as long as capsule.

On tree trunks or rocks of forest understories beside streams; near sea level up to 2100 m. Anhui, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hubei, Jiangxi, Sichuan, Taiwan, Yunnan, Zhejiang [Vietnam].

11. Pyrrosia polydactylos (Hance) Ching, Bull. Chin. Bot. Soc. 1: 48. 1935, [‘polydactylis’].

槭叶石韦   qi ye shi wei

Polypodium polydactylon Hance, J. Bot. 21: 269. 1883; Cyclophorus polydactylos (Hance) C. Christensen; Niphobolus polydactylon (Hance) Giesenhagen ex Diels, [‘polydactylon’]; Pyrrosia Χ pseudopolydactylis Serizawa.

Plants 15–40 cm tall. Rhizome short, 4–6 mm in diam., in cross section with many scattered sclerenchyma strands; phyllopodia contiguous, lateral buds basal on phyllopodia. Scales blackish with a light margin, peltate, 1.5–2.1 Χ 0.6–0.9 mm, ciliate. Fronds monomorphic, stipitate; stipe 15–30 cm, ± 1–2.5 Χ as long as lamina; lamina 8–18 Χ 10–17.5 cm, base cordate-truncate to cuneate, sometimes unequally narrowed into dilated stipe; pedately divided to 4/5 into 6–8 divisions, middle one 6–14 Χ 1–2 cm, lateral ones increasingly smaller. Hydathodes distinct, slightly to distinctly sunken. Indument persistent, monomorphic, dense, grayish brown; hairs 0.5–1 mm in diam., with ± appressed, narrowly boat-shaped rays. Sori superficial, without central bundle of paraphyses. Sporangia with stalks to 2/3 Χ as long as capsule.

* On rocks or tree trunks, also terrestrial at low to middle elevations. Taiwan.

12. Pyrrosia assimilis (Baker) Ching, Bull. Chin. Bot. Soc. 1: 49. 1935.

相近石韦    xiang jian shi wei

Polypodium assimile Baker, J. Bot. 13: 201. 1875 [not Kunze, Linnaea 23: 275. 1850 (nomen)]; Cyclophorus assimilis (Baker) C. Christensen; C. assimilis f. lobata Wu et al.[??C. Christensen (1932)]; C. assimilis var. mollifrons Handel-Mazzetti; Niphobolus assimilis Diels; Pyrrosia assimilis f. lobata (C. Christensen) Ching; P. assimilis var. longissima Ching.

Plants 5–15(–20) cm tall. Rhizome shortly elongated, not grooved ventrally, (0.5–)1.8–2.2 mm in diam., in cross section with 10–20 or sometimes more scattered sclerenchyma strands; phyllopodia 0.2–0.5 cm apart, lateral buds alternating with phyllopodia. Scales peltate, 1.6–5.8 Χ 0.7–1.1 mm, base entire to denticulate; acumen dull brown to blackish with a lighter margin, dentate. Fronds monomorphic, sessile, linear, 6–20 Χ 0.2–1 cm. Hydathodes distinct, sunken. Indument monomorphic, sparse; hairs 0.5–1.8 mm in diam., with erect-spreading, acicular rays of very unequal length. Sori superficial, without central bundle of paraphyses. Sporangia with stalks up to 1 Χ as long as capsule.

* On shaded wet rocks of forest understories on slopes; 200–1000 m. Anhui, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Henan, Hunan, Jiangxi, Sichuan, Xinjiang, Yunnan, Zhejiang.

13. Pyrrosia davidii (Baker) Ching, Acta Phytotax. Sin. 10: 301. 1965 [??or (Giesenhagen)].

西南石韦    xi nan shi wei

华北石韦  hua bei shi wei

Polypodium davidii Baker, Ann. Bot. (Oxford) 5: 472. 1891, not Franchet, Nouv. Arch. Mus., ser. 2, 10: 119. 1887; Pl. David. 2: 156. 1888; Niphobolus davidii Giesenhagen ex Diels, Nat. Pflanzenfam. 1[4]: 325. 1899; Cyclophorus  davidii H. Lιveillι[??Handel-Mazzetti 1929]; C. gralla (Giesenhagen) C. Christensen; C. matsudai Hayata; C. pekinensis C. Christensen, Index Filic. 200. 1906, nom. superfl.; C. pekinensis f. minor C. Christensen; C. subfissus Hayata; C. transmorrisonensis Hayata; C. xiphioides (H. Christ) C. Christensen; Niphobolus gralla Giesenhagen; N. xiphioides H. Christ; Pyrrosia gralla (Giesenhagen) Ching; P. matsudai (Hayata) Tagawa; P. pekinensis (C. Christensen) Ching, Bull. Chin. Bot . Soc. 1: 51. 1935, nom. superfl.; P. subfissa (Hayata) Ching; P. transmorrisonensis (Hayata) Ching.

Names all based on Polypodium davidii Baker, Ann. Bot., Lond. 5: 472. 1891: Niphobolus davidii Giesenh. ex Diels, Nat. Pflanzenfam. 1[4]: 325. 1899 [status of this name uncertain, need to see 1899 pamphlet (18 pp.) by Giesenhagen cited by Diels, not in K or BM]; Cyclophorus  davidii H. Lιveillι; C. pekinensis C. Chr., Ind. Fil. (1906) 200, nom. superfl.; Pyrrosia pekinensis (C. Chr.) Ching, Bull. Chin. Bot . Soc. 1 (1935) 35, nom. superfl.

Plants 5–20 cm tall. Rhizome shortly elongated, 1.6–3.1 mm in diam., in cross section with few to many sclerenchyma strands; phyllopodia 0.3–0.7 cm apart, lateral buds alternating with phyllopodia. Scales peltate, 1.4–6.8 Χ 0.5–2.1 mm, base entire to ciliate; acumen light brown to dull blackish with a distinct lighter margin, ciliate to dentate. Fronds monomorphic, not or indistinctly up to 5 cm stipitate; lamina widest above middle, 3–15 Χ 0.5–1.5(–2) cm, base gradually narrowed, apex acute to acuminate. Hydathodes distinct, superficial. Indument persistent, monomorphic, sparse to dense, hairs 0.2–1.6 mm in diam. Sori superficial, without central bundle of paraphyses. Sporangia with stalks up to as long as capsule.

* On tree trunks of forest understories, shaded and wet rocks of slopes; 200–2900 m. Gansu, Guizhou, Hebei, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Liaoning, Nei Mongol, Shaanxi, Shandong, Shanxi, Sichuan, Taiwan, Yunnan.

Small forms with an appressed indument from the northern part of the range are distinguished by Shing & Iwatsuki (J. Jap. Bot. 72: 2. 1997) as Pyrrosia davidii; but in a note, they state that they seem to be two geographic races of the same species. I here combine P. gralla and P. davidii, selecting the oldest name [??].

14. Pyrrosia shennongensis K. H. Shing, J. Jap. Bot. 72: 73. 1997.

神农石韦  sheng nong shi wei

Plants 10–50 cm tall. Rhizome short or occasionally shortly elongated, 2–6.8 mm in diam., in cross section with many scattered sclerenchyma strands; phyllopodia contiguous or up to 2.5 cm apart, lateral buds on or close to phyllopodia. Scales pseudopeltate, 6.5–11 Χ 0.7–1.3 mm, base entire to ciliate; acumen dull brown, ciliate. Fronds monomorphic, stipitate; stipe [????] cm, (1/10–)1/5– ± 1 Χ as long as lamina; lamina widest about middle, [????] cm, base gradually narrowed, apex ± acuminate. Hydathodes distinct, superficial. Indument fugacious, monomorphic, thin, dirty grayish; hairs with acicular rays. Sori superficial, without central bundle of paraphyses. Sporangia with stalks 1–1 1/2 Χ as long as capsule. [I cannot find the measurements for stipe and lamina in the original manuscript.]

* On rocks; ca. 1000 m. Hubei (Sheng nong jia).

15. Pyrrosia calvata (Baker) Ching, Bull. Chin. Bot. Soc. 1: 62. 1935.

光石韦  guang shi wei

Polypodium calvatum Baker, J. Bot. 17: 304. 1879; Cyclophorus  calvatus (Baker) C. Christensen; C. esquirollii H. Lιveillι; Niphobolus calvatus Diels; Pyrrosia pseudocalvata Ching, Boufford & K. H. Shing.

Plants 25–70 cm tall. Rhizome short or occasionally shortly elongated, 2–6.8 mm in diam., in cross section with many scattered sclerenchyma strands; phyllopodia contiguous or up to 2.5 cm apart, lateral buds on or close to phyllopodia. Scales pseudopeltate, 6.5–11 Χ 0.7–1.3 mm, base entire to ciliate; acumen dull brown, ciliate. Fronds monomorphic, stipitate; stipe 6–15 cm, (1/10–)1/5– ± 1 Χ as long as lamina; lamina widest about middle, 25–60 Χ 2–5 cm, base narrowly cuneate and long decurrent, apex long acuminate. Hydathodes distinct, superficial. Indument mostly fugacious, dimorphic, thin or occasionally dense, dirty grayish; upper layer with hairs 0.8–1.3 mm in diam., with erect-spreading, acicular rays, ± mixed with a lower layer with mainly woolly rays. Sori superficial. Sporangia with stalks 1–1/2 Χ as long as capsule.

* On tree trunks or rocks of forest understories; 400–1800 m. Fujian, Gansu, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hubei, Hunan, Shaanxi, Sichuan, Yunnan, Zhejiang.

The whole plant is used in traditional Chinese medicine as an astringent and to promote diuresis.

16. Pyrrosia heteractis (Mettenius ex Kuhn) Ching, Bull. Chin. Bot. Soc. 1: 52. 1935 [??p. 57].

纸质石韦  zhi zhi shi wei

Polypodium heteractis Mettenius ex Kuhn, Linnaea 36: 140. 1869; Cyclophorus heteractis (Mettenius ex Kuhn) C. Christensen; C. heteractis var. minor C. Christensen; Niphobolus heteractis J. Smith, [‘es’]; Pyrrosia heteractis var. minor (C. Christensen) Ching; P. lingua (Thunberg) Farwell var. heteractis (Mettenius ex Kuhn) Hovenkamp.

Plants 10–30 cm tall. Rhizome long-creeping, 1.2–3.7 mm in diam., in cross section with a few sclerenchyma strands; phyllopodia (0.5–)2–8 cm apart, lateral buds alternating with phyllopodia. Scales peltate, 5.1–9.5 Χ 0.9–1.6 mm, base entire to irregularly dentate; acumen shiny, light brown, with long, curly marginal as well as superficial cilia; short, ± ovate scales occasionally present. Fronds dimorphic, stipitate. Sterile fronds: stipe 4–14 cm; lamina widest at or below middle, 14–25 Χ 4–7.5 cm, base truncate to ± cuneate, apex acuminate or occasionally apiculate. Fertile fronds usually longer and narrower. Hydathodes distinct, ± superficial, rarely distinctly sunken or absent. Indument persistent, dimorphic, dense, whitish to grayish brown; upper layer with hairs 0.4–0.8 mm in diam., with appressed, boat-shaped rays, lower layer with woolly rays. Sori superficial, without central bundle of paraphyses. Sporangia with stalks Ύ–1 Χ as long as capsule.

On tree trunks, rocks, and rocky crevices of forest understories; 1200–2600 m. Guangxi, Hainan, Sichuan, Xizang, Yunnan [Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam].

17. Pyrrosia eberhardtii (H. Christ) Ching, Bull. Chin. Bot. Soc. 1: 59. 1935.

琼崖石韦  qiong yai shi wei

Cyclophorus eberhardtii H. Christ, J. Bot. (Morot) 21: 237, 270. 1908; Pyrrosia oblonga Ching.

Plants 6–20 cm tall. Rhizome long-creeping, 1.2–3.7 mm in diam., in cross section with a few sclerenchyma strands; phyllopodia (0.5–)2–8 cm apart, lateral buds alternating with phyllopodia. Scales peltate, 5.1–9.5 Χ 0.9–1.6 mm, base entire to irregularly dentate; acumen shiny, light brown, with long, curly marginal as well as superficial cilia. Fronds subdimorphic, stipitate. Sterile fronds: stipe 4–12 cm; lamina widest at or below middle, 4–12 Χ 2–3 cm, base cuneate, apex obtuse to rounded. Fertile fronds longer and narrower. Hydathodes distinct, ± superficial, rarely distinctly sunken or absent. Indument persistent, dimorphic, dense, whitish to grayish brown; upper layer with hairs 0.4–0.8 mm in diam., with appressed, boat-shaped rays, lower layer with woolly rays. Sori superficial, without central bundle of paraphyses. Sporangia with stalks Ύ–1 Χ as long as capsule.

On tree trunks or rocks of forest understories; 1000–1700 m. Guangdong, Hainan [Thailand, Vietnam].

18. Pyrrosia fuohaiensis Ching & K. H. Shing, J. Jap. Bot. 72: 76. 1997.

佛海石韦  fo hai shi wei

Plants ca. 5 cm tall. Rhizome long-creeping, 1.2–3.7 mm in diam., in cross section with a few sclerenchyma strands; phyllopodia (0.5–)2–8 cm apart, lateral buds alternating with phyllopodia. Scales peltate, 5.1–9.5 Χ 0.9–1.6 mm, base entire to irregularly dentate; acumen shiny, light brown, with long, curly marginal as well as superficial cilia. Fronds monomorphic, stipitate. Fertile fronds: stipe 1–3 cm, lamina widest at or below middle, 4–4.5 Χ 1.5–2 cm, base broadly cuneate, apex obtuse. Hydathodes distinct, ± superficial, rarely distinctly sunken or absent. Indument persistent, dimorphic, dense, whitish to grayish brown; upper layer with hairs 0.4–0.8 mm in diam., with appressed, boat-shaped rays, lower layer with woolly rays. Sori superficial, without central bundle of paraphyses. Sporangia with stalks Ύ–1 Χ as long as capsule.

* On tree trunks in mixed forests; ca. 1500 m. Yunnan (Menhai).

19. Pyrrosia costata (Wallich ex C. Presl) Tagawa & K. Iwatsuki, Acta Phytotax. Geobot. 22: 100. 1967.

下延石韦    xia yan shi wei

[??Niphobolus costatus Wallich ex C. Presl; Tent. Pterid. 202. 1836]; Apalophlebia costata (Wallich ex C. Presl) Wallich ex C. Presl, Epimel. Bot. 139. 1851[??p. 138, or Abh. Kφnigl. Bφhm. Ges. Wiss., ser. 5, 6: 498. 1851]; Cyclophorus beddomeanus (Giesenhagen) C. Christensen, Index Filic. 198. 1906, nom. superfl.; Niphobolus beddomeanus Giesenhagen, Niphobolus 101. 1901, nom. superfl.; N. beddomeanus f. fallax Giesenhagen; Polypodium costatum Hooker (1863), not Kunze (1834), nor Mettenius (1857); Pyrrosia beddomeana (Giesenhagen) Ching, Bull. Chin. Bot. Soc. 1: 68. 1935, nom. superfl.

Plants 20–50 cm tall. Rhizome short, up to 5 mm in diam., in cross section without sclerenchyma strands; phyllopodia close together, lateral buds basal on phyllopodia. Scales basifixed, 8–10 mm, basal margin often with glands on long teeth; acumen entire, shiny, brown. Fronds monomorphic, substipitate or estipitate; stipe 1–5 cm; lamina widest at middle, 23–50 Χ 2.5–6 cm, base very gradually narrowed, apex acuminate. Hydathodes distinct, ± superficial. Indument persistent, dense, grayish brown; dimorphic; upper layer composed of hairs 0.4–1.9 mm in diam., with appressed, narrowly boat-shaped rays, lower layer with mainly woolly rays. Sori superficial, without central bundle of paraphyses. Sporangia sessile or on short stalks to 1/4 Χ as long as capsule.

On tree trunks or rocks of forest understories; 300–2000 m. Xizang, Yunnan [Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, Vietnam].

Chinese representatives of this species have been erroneously identified as Pyrrosia stigmosa by Wu et al. (Bull. Dep. Sun Yatsen Univ. 3: 340, pl. 161. 1932), and by Ching & Wu (Fl. Xizang. 1: 327. 1983); and as P. princeps by Shing & Iwatsuki (J. Jap. Bot. 72: 76. 1997).

20. Pyrrosia flocculosa (D. Don) Ching, Bull. Chin. Bot. Soc. 1: 66. 1935.

卷毛石韦  juan mao shi wei

Polypodium flocculosum D. Don, Prodr. Fl. Nepal. 1. 1825; Apalophlebia flocculosa C. Presl; Cyclophorus  annamensis (H. Christ) C. Christensen; C. flocculosus (D. Don) C. Christensen; C. rhomboidalis Bonaparte; Niphobolus annamensis H. Christ [??not in IPNI or Tropicos]; N. flocculosus (D. Don) Sprengel; Pyrrosia mollis (Kunze) Ching f. rhomboidalis C. ChristensenTardieu [??not in Tropicos]; P. rhomboidalis (Bonaparte) Ching.

Plants 25–50 cm tall. Rhizome short, 3.4–6 mm in diam.; in cross section with 10– ca. 25 scattered sclerenchyma strands; phyllopodia close together, lateral buds basal on phyllopodia. Scales pseudopeltate, 4–5.7 Χ 0.5–1 mm, base entire to irregularly dentate; acumen dull brown to blackish, dentate, entire toward apex. Fronds monomorphic, stipitate; stipe 6–20 cm, 1/4–1 Χ as long as lamina; lamina widest around or below middle, often slightly lyrate, 9–32 Χ 1.3–7.8 cm, base cuneate to truncate, occasionally ± cordate, apex acuminate, occasionally acute. Hydathodes distinct, superficial to distinctly sunken. Indument persistent, dimorphic, thin to dense, light dirty grayish; upper layer with hairs 0.3–2.2 mm in diam., with spreading to appressed, boat-shaped to acicular rays, lower layer with mainly woolly rays. Sori superficial, without central bundle of paraphyses. Sporangia with stalks 1/3–1 Χ as long as capsule.

On tree trunks or rocks of forest understories; sea level up to 700 m. Guangxi, Yunnan [Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, Vietnam].

21. Pyrrosia subtruncata Ching, Bull. Chin. Bot. Soc. 1: 67. 1935.

截基石韦  jie ji shi wei

Rhizome short or occasionally shortly elongated, 2–6.8 mm in diam., in cross section with many scattered sclerenchyma strands; phyllopodia contiguous or up to 2.5 cm apart, lateral basal on or close to phyllopodia. Scales pseudopeltate, 6.5–11 Χ 0.7–1.3 mm, base entire to ciliate; acumen dull brown, denticulate. Fronds monomorphic, stipitate, 15–31 cm, (1/10–)1/5– ± 1 Χ as long as lamina; lamina widest near base, ca 15 Χ 3–3.5 cm, base subtruncate or cordate, apex acuminate. Hydathodes distinct, superficial. Indument persistent or fugacious, dimorphic, thin or occasionally dense, dirty grayish; upper layer with hairs 0.8–1.3 mm in diam., with erect-spreading, acicular rays, ± mixed with a lower layer with mainly woolly rays. Sori superficial, without central bundle of paraphyses. Sporangia with stalks 1– 1 1/2 Χ as long as capsule.

In shaded and wet rock crevices; ca. 1500 m. Guangxi [Vietnam].

22. Pyrrosia stigmosa (Swartz) Ching, Bull. Chin. Bot. Soc. 1: 67. 1935.

柱状石韦    zhu zhuang shi wei

Polypodium stigmosum Swartz, Schrad. J. 1800(2): 21. 1801; Apalophlebia venosa (Blume) C. Presl; Cyclophorus stigmosus (Swartz) Desvaux[??not in Tropicos or IPNI]; Niphobolus stigmosus T. Moore[??not in Tropicos or IPNI]; N. venosa Blume; Pyrrosia chinensis Mirbel.

Plants 25–65 cm tall. Rhizome shortly elongated, 4–4.5 mm in diam., in cross section without sclerenchyma strands; phyllopodia 1–2 cm apart, lateral buds basal on phyllopodia. Scales basifixed, 2.6–6 Χ 0.9–1.6 mm, base dentate; acumen brown, entire or dentate. Fronds monomorphic, stipitate; stipe 9–22 cm, (1/6–)1/4–2/3 Χ as long as lamina; lamina widest around middle, 2–5.8 Χ 18–60 cm, base cuneate, apex acute to acuminate, occasionally rounded or obtuse. Hydathodes distinct, superficial. Indument persistent, dimorphic, dense, light grayish brown; upper layer with hairs ± 0.5 mm in diam., with appressed, boat-shaped rays, lower layer with mainly woolly rays. Sori superficial, without central bundle of paraphyses. Sporangia sessile.

On tree trunks in understories of broad-leaved forests; 200–1200 m. Xizang, Yunnan [Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam].

23. Pyrrosia linearifolia (Hooker) Ching, Bull. Chin. Bot. Soc. 1: 48. 1935.

线叶石韦    xian ye shi wei

Niphobolus linearifolius Hooker, 2nd Cent. Ferns pl. 58. 1861; Cyclophorus linearifolius (Hooker) C. Christensen; Neoniphopsis linearifolia Nakai; Polypodium linearifolium (Hooker) Hooker; P. linearifolium var. heterolepis Tagawa[??not in Tropicos].

Plants 3–10 cm tall. Rhizome long-creeping, 1–1.8 mm in diam., in cross section with 5–20 scattered sclerenchyma strands; phyllopodia 0.5–1(–1.5) cm apart, lateral buds close to phyllopodia. Scales peltate, 2.2–5 Χ 0.5–1 mm, base entire or ciliate; acumen light brown, ciliate. Fronds monomorphic, sessile, 3–8 Χ 0.2–0.3 cm, base ± gradually narrowed, apex obtuse or rounded. Hydathodes ± distinct, usually in a marginal row, distinctly sunken. Indument persistent, dimorphic, loose, brown; upper layer with hairs 0.5–2.2 mm in diam., with erect-spreading, acicular rays, hairs with mainly woolly rays often present only between sori. Sori superficial, without central bundle of paraphyses. Sporangia with stalks as long as capsule.

On rocks or tree trunks of slopes, and on roofs of houses at low elevations. Jilin, Taiwan [Japan, Korea].

24. Pyrrosia similis Ching, Bull. Chin. Bot. Soc. 1: 56. 1935.

相似石韦  xiang shi shi wei

Plants 25–45 cm tall. Rhizome shortly elongated, 2–3 mm in diam., in cross section with many scattered sclerenchyma strands; phyllopodia up to 0.5 cm apart, lateral buds basal on phyllopodia. Scales pseudopeltate, ca. 2 Χ 1 mm; dentate. Fronds monomorphic, stipitate; stipe 8–22 cm; lamina widest below middle, 15–25 Χ 3.5–5 cm, base rounded-cuneate, apex attenuate to long caudate. Hydathodes distinct, superficial. Indument persistent, dimorphic, dense, light grayish brown; upper layer with sparse hairs with appressed, narrow rays, ± 0.5 mm in diam., and sparse, similar but larger and darker hairs, lower layer with dense woolly rays. Sori superficial, without central bundle of paraphyses. Sporangia stalked.

* On open calcareous rocks or in forest soils; 700–1200 m. Guangxi, Guizhou, Sichuan.

25. Pyrrosia tonkinensis (Giesenhagen) Ching, Bull. Chin. Bot. Soc. 1: 55. 1935.

中越石韦    zhong yue shi wei

Niphobolus tonkinensis Giesenhagen, Niphobolus 144. 1901; Cyclophorus tonkinensis (Giesenhagen) C. Christensen; Pyrrosia porosa (C. Presl) Hovenkamp var. tonkinensis (Giesenhagen) Hovenkamp.

Plants 10–40 cm tall. Rhizome shortly elongated, 1.6–3.1 mm in diam., in cross section with few to many sclerenchyma strands; phyllopodia 0.3–0.7 cm apart, lateral buds alternating with phyllopodia. Scales peltate 3.6–6.2 Χ 0.5–1.3 mm, base entire to dentate; acumen light brown, dentate. Fronds monomorphic, sessile or indistinctly stipitate; lamina widest above middle, 8–22 Χ 0.5–1 cm, base gradually narrowed, apex acute to acuminate. Hydathodes distinct, superficial. Indument persistent, dimorphic, dense, brown or lower layer whitish; hairs 0.2–0.8 mm in diam., with acicular rays appressed to a layer with mainly woolly rays. Sori superficial, without central bundle of paraphyses. Sporangia with stalks 1/2 to as long as capsule.

On tree trunks or rocks of forest understories; near sea level up to 1600 m. Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hainan, Yunnan [Laos, Thailand, Vietnam].

26. Pyrrosia laevis (J. Smith ex Beddome) Ching, Bull. Chin. Bot. Soc. 1: 52. 1935[??p. 57].

平滑石韦  ping hua shi wei

Niphobolus laevis J. Smith ex Beddome, Ferns Brit. India t. 161. 1868[??1866]; Cyclophorus laevis (J. Smith ex Beddome) C. Christensen; Polypodium breve J. Smith ex Baker [??ex error]; P. laeve Baker, Summ. New Ferns 89. 1892, nom. illeg., not P. laeve Mettenius ex Kuhn (1869); P. laeve Mettenius ex Kuhn; P. jaintense C. B. Clarke; Pyrrosia jaintensis (C. B. Clarke) Ching.

Plants 8–13 cm tall. Rhizome long-creeping, 0.9–1 mm in diam., in cross section with up to 10 scattered sclerenchyma strands; phyllopodia 1–3 cm apart, lateral buds close to phyllopodia. Scales peltate, 3.1–4 Χ 0.3–0.6 mm, base entire; acumen light brown, entire or occasionally with long cilia near apex; shorter, round to ovate scales regularly present. Fronds monomorphic, stipitate; stipe 0.5–2 cm, up to 1/4(–1/3) Χ as long as lamina; lamina widest below middle, 5–11 Χ 1–1.8 cm, base cuneate to narrowly cuneate, apex narrowly acute to acuminate. Hydathodes indistinct, ± superficial. Indument persistent, dimorphic, thin, light grayish brown; upper layer often fugacious, hairs 0.4–0.5 mm in diam., with appressed, boat-shaped or acicular rays, often with a distinct dorsal spine, lower layer with mainly woolly rays. Sori superficial, without central bundle of paraphyses; sporangia with stalks up to about as long as capsule.

On rocks of forest understories; ca. 1200 m. Yunnan [India, Myanmar].

27. Pyrrosia bonii (H. Christ ex Giesenhagen) Ching, Bull. Chin. Bot. Soc. 1: 67. 1935.

波氏石韦  bo shi shi wei

Niphobolus bonii H. Christ ex Giesenhagen, Niphobolus 120. 1901; Cyclophorus  bonii (H. Christ ex Giesenhagen) C. Christensen.

Plants 30–50 cm tall. Rhizome short or occasionally shortly elongated, 2–6.8 mm in diam., in cross section with many scattered sclerenchyma strands; phyllopodia contiguous or up to 2.5 cm apart, lateral buds on or close to phyllopodia. Scales pseudopeltate, 6.5–11 Χ 0.7–1.3 mm, base entire to ciliate; acumen dull brown, ciliate. Fronds monomorphic, stipitate; stipe 4–31 cm, (1/10–)1/5 to about as long as lamina; lamina widest about middle, 15–30 Χ 3.5–4.5 cm, base usually symmetric, cuneate and slightly decurrent, apex shortly acuminate. Hydathodes distinct, superficial. Indument persistent or fugacious, dimorphic, thin or occasionally dense, dirty grayish; upper layer with hairs 0.8–1.3 mm in diam., with erect-spreading, acicular rays, ± mixed with a lower layer with mainly woolly rays. Sori superficial, without central bundle of paraphyses. Sporangia with stalks 1– 1 1/2 Χ as long as capsule.

On rocks of forest understories; 300–1100 m. Guangxi, Guizhou [Vietnam].

28. Pyrrosia nummularifolia (Swartz) Ching, Bull. Chin. Bot. Soc. 1: 52. 1935 [??p. 47].

钱币石韦  qian bi shi wei

Acrostichum nummularifolium Swartz, Syn. Fil. 191, 419. 1806; A. obovatum Blume; Cyclophorus nummularifolius (Swartz) C. Christensen; C. nummularifolius var. obovatus Bonaparte[??not in Tropicos]; C. nummularifolius var. rufus Alderwerelt[??rufa]; C. obovatus (Blume) Alderwerelt; Galeoglossa nummularifolia C. Presl; G. obovata C. Presl; Gymnopteris nummularifolia C. Presl; Niphobolus nummularifolius J. Smith; N. obovatus Kunze; Polypodium nummulariifolium Mettenius; P. obovatum Mettenius; Pyrrosia nummulariifolia var. rufa Ching; P. obovata (Blume) Ching.

Plants small, 2–7 cm tall. Rhizome long-creeping, 0.6–1.6 mm in diam., in cross section sometimes with a single, central sclerenchyma strand; phyllopodia 0.5–1.5 cm apart, lateral buds between or opposite to phyllopodia. Scales peltate, 3.3–5.7 Χ 0.3–0.7 mm, base entire to ciliate; acumen light brown, ciliate; with short, ± round to ovate scales regularly present. Fronds strongly dimorphic, distinctly to indistinctly stipitate. Sterile fronds: ± sessile or up to 2 cm stipitate; lamina elliptic to ovate, 1.5–2 Χ 1.2–1.5 cm, base cordate to rounded or occasionally cuneate, apex rounded. Fertile fronds: stipe up to 2.5 cm; lamina elliptic to obovate, 5–7 Χ 0.3–1.1 cm, base cuneate to gradually attenuate. Hydathodes absent. Indument persistent, dimorphic, dense, brown, lower layer mostly whitish; upper layer composed of hairs 0.7–1.4 mm in diam., with erect-spreading, acicular rays, usually distinctly raised above a lower layer with mainly woolly rays. Sori superficial, without central bundle of paraphyses. Sporangia with stalks 1–1.5 Χ as long as capsule.

On rocks; 400–1100 m. Yunnan [Bhutan, India, Indonesia, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand].

29. Pyrrosia stenophylla (Beddome) Ching, Bull. Chin. Bot. Soc. 1: 55. 1935.

狭叶石韦  xia ye shi wei

Niphobolus fissus Blume var. stenophyllus Beddome, Handb. Ferns Brit. Ind. Suppl. 92. 1892; Cyclophorus stenophyllus (Beddome) C. Christensen; Niphobolus stenophyllus Giesenhagen; Pyrrosia linearis Ching & S. K. Wu; P. tibetica Ching; P. tibetica var. angustata Ching.

Plants 20–30 cm tall. Rhizome shortly elongated, 1.6–3.1 mm in diam., in cross section with few to many sclerenchyma strands; phyllopodia 0.3–0.7 cm apart, lateral buds alternating with phyllopodia. Scales peltate, 3.5–6.8 Χ 0.7–1.2 mm, base entire to dentate, acumen light brown, dentate; with short, ± round to ovate scales occasionally present. Fronds monomorphic, not or indistinctly to 1–3 cm stipitate; lamina widest above middle, (5–)20–40 Χ 0.5–1.5 cm, base gradually narrowed, apex acute to acuminate. Hydathodes distinct, superficial. Indument persistent, dimorphic, thin, brown or lower layer whitish; hairs 0.2–1.6 mm in diam., with erect-spreading to appressed, acicular rays, usually ± mixed with hairs with mainly woolly rays. Sori superficial, without central bundle of paraphyses. Sporangia sessile or with stalks up to 1/3 Χ as long as capsule.

On tree trunks or rocks of forest understories; 1200–1800 m. Xizang, Yunnan [Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal].

30. Pyrrosia nudicaulis Ching, Bull. Chin. Bot. Soc. 1: 52. 1935.

裸茎石韦  luo jin shi wei

Plants 15–30 cm tall. Rhizome shortly elongated, 1.6–3.1 mm in diam., in cross section with few to many sclerenchyma strands; phyllopodia 0.3–0.7 cm apart, lateral buds alternating with phyllopodia. Scales peltate, 1.4–6.8 Χ 0.5–2.1 mm, base entire to ciliate; acumen brown with a distinct lighter margin, ciliate. Fronds monomorphic, 2–10 cm stipitate; lamina widest above middle, 13–33 Χ 1.2–3.6 cm, base gradually narrowed, apex shortly acuminate. Hydathodes distinct, superficial. Indument persistent, dimorphic, sparse to dense, brown or lower layer whitish; hairs 0.2–1.6 mm in diam., with erect-spreading to appressed, acicular rays, usually ± mixed with hairs with mainly woolly rays. Sori superficial, without central bundle of paraphyses. Sporangia ± sessile or with stalks up to as long as capsule.

* On tree trunks of forest understories; 1600–3400 m. Sichuan, Xizang, Yunnan.

31. Pyrrosia porosa (C. Presl) Hovenkamp, Blumea 30: 208. 1984.

柔软石韦  rua ruo shi wei

Plants 7–25 cm tall. Rhizome shortly elongated, 1.6–3.1 mm in diam., cross section with few to many sclerenchyma strands; phyllopodia 0.3–0.7 cm apart, lateral buds alternating with phyllopodia. Scales peltate[shape??], 1.4–6.8 Χ 0.5–2.1 mm, base entire to ciliate; acumen light brown to dull blackish with a distinct lighter margin, ciliate to dentate. Fronds monomorphic, sessile or indistinctly stipitate; lamina widest above middle, 10–23 Χ 0.7–2.5 cm, base gradually narrowed, apex acute to acuminate. Hydathodes distinct, superficial. Indument persistent, dimorphic, sparse to dense, brown or lower layer whitish; hairs 0.2–1.6 mm in diam., with erect-spreading to appressed, acicular rays, usually ± mixed with hairs with mainly woolly rays. Sori superficial, without central bundle of paraphyses. Sporangia sessile or with stalks to as long as capsule.

On tree trunks or rocks of forest understories. Guangxi, Guizhou, Hainan, Sichuan, Taiwan, Xizang, Yunnan [Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam].

1a...... Scales densely covered with cilia along margins, stipes and main veins covered with stellate hairs  31a. var. porosa

1b..... Scales lanceolate and without cilia, stipes and main veins subglabrous ..............................  31b. var. mollisima

31a. Pyrrosia porosa var. porosa

柔软瓦韦 (原变种rou ruan wa wei (yuan bian zhong)

Niphobolus porosus C. Presl, Tent. Pterid. 200[??202]. 1836; Cyclophorus acrocarpus (H. Christ & Giesenhagen) C. Christensen; C. alcicornu H. Christ; C. pekinensis C. Christensen, Index Filic. 200. 1906, nom.; C. porosus (Wallich) C. Presl; C. sticticus (Kunze) C. Christensen; C. xiphioides (H. Christ) C. Christensen; N. acrocarpus H. Christ ex Giesenhagen[??ex or &]; N. sticticus Kunze; N. xiphioides H. Christ; Polypodium porosum [??Wallich ex] Mettenius, Polyp. 128. 1856; P. sticticum Mettenius; Pyrrosia scolopendrina Ching; P. mollis (Kunze) Ching f. alcicornu (H. Christ) Ching; P. stictica (Kunze) Holttum, Novit. Bot. 31 [??30]. 1968 [??1969], nom. superfl.

Rhizome scales with densely ciliate margins, stipe and main veins covered with stellate hairs.

On tree trunks or rocks of sparse forest understories. Guangxi, Guizhou, Hainan, Sichuan, Taiwan, Xizang, Yunnan [Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam].

Pyrrosia porosa has often been confused with P. mollis from Indochina and Malesia. All references to P. mollis from China refer to P. porosa.

31b. Pyrrosia porosa var. mollissima (H. Christ) K. H. Shing, Vasc. Pl. Hengduan Mount. 1: 171. 1993.

平绒石韦  ping rong shi wei

Polypodium mollissimum H. Christ, Bull. Herb. Boissier 7: 5. 1899, nom. illeg. hom., non Polypodium mollissimum Fιe (1866); Cyclophorus malacophyllus (H. Christ) C. Christensen; Pyrrosia mollis var. mollissima Ching.

Rhizome scales lanceolate and without cilia, stipe and main veins subglabrous.

* On rocks of forest understories; 900–2100 m. Guangxi, Guizhou, Sichuan, Yunnan.

32. Pyrrosia mannii (Giesenhagen) Ching, Bull. Chin. Bot. Soc. 1: 55. 1935.

蔓氏石韦  man shi shi wei

Niphobolus mannii Giesenhagen, Niphobolus 107. 1901.

Plants 10–30 cm tall. Rhizome short, 2.6–3.3 mm in diam., in cross section with few to ca. 20 scattered sclerenchyma strands; phyllopodia contiguous, lateral buds basal on phyllopodia. Scales pseudopeltate, 5–7.4 Χ 0.5–1.2 mm, base entire; acumen straw-colored, entire to dentate. Fronds monomorphic, not or indistinctly up to 3 cm stipitate; lamina widest at or above middle, 15–30 Χ 1–2 cm, base gradually narrowed, apex acute to narrowly acuminate. Hydathodes distinct, sunken to ± superficial. Indument persistent, dimorphic, dense, brown; hairs (0.5–)0.8–2 mm in diam., with erect-spreading, acicular rays, ± mixed with hairs with mainly woolly rays. Sori superficial, without central bundle of paraphyses. Sporangia sessile.

On tree trunks, rotting wood, or rocks of forest understories; 1700–2300 m. Xizang, Yunnan [Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand].

33. Pyrrosia drakeana (Franchet) Ching, Bull. Chin. Bot. Soc. 1: 65. 1935.

毡毛石韦  zhan mao shi wei

Polypodium drakeanum Franchet, Nouv. Arch. Mus., ser. 2, 7: 165. 1883; Cyclophorus drakeanus (Franchet) C. Christensen; Niphobolus drakeanus Diels; N. drakeanus f. elongata H. Christ ex Diels; Pyrrosia fengiana Ching; P. latifolia Ching & S. K. Wu; P. pseudodrakeana K. H. Shing, [??without latin descr. or type].

Plants 25–70 cm tall. Rhizome short or occasionally shortly elongated, 2–7 mm in diam., in cross-section with many scattered sclerenchyma strands; phyllopodia contiguous or up to 2.5 cm distant, lateral buds on or close to internodia. Scales pseudopeltate, 2.5–11 Χ 0.6–1.3 mm, base entire to ciliate; acumen dull brown to blackish with a straw-colored margin, dentate to ciliate. Fronds monomorphic, stipitate; stipe 10–30 cm, (1/10–)2 Χ as long as lamina; lamina widest below or at middle, 12–36 Χ 4–8(–10) cm, base truncate to ± abruptly cuneate, usually asymmetric, sometimes with an obtuse, short tooth on one side, apex obtuse, acute, or acuminate. Hydathodes distinct, superficial to slightly prominent. Indument persistent, dense, brown; dimorphic, upper layer of hairs (0.8–)1–1.6 mm in diam., with acicular rays, ± mixed with a lower layer with woolly rays. Sori superficial, without central bundle of paraphyses. Sporangia sessile or with stalks up to 1–1.5 Χ as long as capsule.

In mixed forest understories of mountain slopes, on tree trunks, on rocks or rocky cliffs, on slopes, beside streams; 1000–3600 m. Gansu, Guangxi, Guizhou, Henan, Hubei, Shaanxi, Sichuan, Xizang, Yunnan [India].

The name Pyrrosia intermedia Goy was mistakenly applied to this species by Shing (Amer. Fern J. 73(3): 78. 1983).

34. Pyrrosia subfurfuracea (Hooker) Ching, Bull. Chin. Bot. Soc. 1: 68. 1935.

绒毛石韦  ron[??] mao shi wei

Polypodium subfurfuraceum Hooker, Sp. Fil. 5: 52. 1863; Cyclophorus subfurfuraceus (Hooker) C. Christensen; Niphobolus subfurfuraceus Beddome.

Plants 40–60 cm. Rhizome short or occasionally shortly elongated, 2–6.8 mm in diam., in cross section with many scattered sclerenchyma strands; phyllopodia contiguous or up to 2.5 cm apart, lateral buds situated basal on or close to phyllopodia. Scales pseudopeltate, 6.5–11 Χ 0.7–1.3 mm, base entire to ciliate; acumen dull brown, entire. Fronds monomorphic, subsessile to stipitate; stipe up to 15 cm, (1/10–)1/5 to about as long as lamina; lamina widest about middle, 45–60 Χ 6.5–11 cm, base long decurrent, apex shortly acuminate. Hydathodes distinct, superficial. Indument persistent or fugacious, dimorphic, thin or occasionally dense, dirty grayish; upper layer with hairs 0.8–1.3 mm in diam., with erect-spreading, acicular rays, ± mixed with a lower layer with mainly woolly rays. Sori superficial, without central bundle of paraphyses. Sporangia with stalks 1/2 to as long as capsule.

[??distribution]

15. Platycerium Desvaux, Mιm. Soc. Linn. Paris 6: 213. 1827.

鹿角蕨属   lu jiao jue shu

Zhang Xianchun (张宪春)[1]; Michael G. Gilbert

Ferns epiphytic or occasionally epilithic, of very striking appearance, solitary or in clusters. Rhizome thick, shortly creeping, concealed by roots and fronds; scales large, basifixed to peltate, mostly with a thickened dark central portion, margin ciliate, concolorous or pale brown; fronds clustered, extremely dimorphic; lamina fleshy, leathery, covered with stellate hairs when young; costa none, main veins conspicuous, dichotomously branched, usually several on each lobe or branch, minor veins visible or concealed, much anastomosing with free-included veinlets. Base fronds persistent, forming a distinct basket, entire or forked several times; foliage fronds occur in pair, simple to variously dichotomously forked, erect to pendulous. Sori forming large soral patches, paraphyses many, stellate. Spores 64 per sporangium, or 8 (P. ridleyi H. Christ), monolete, smooth. x = 37.

Fifteen species: SE Asia (eight species), Africa and Madagascar (six species), one isolated species in South America. One native in China.

Platycerium bifurcatum (Cavanilles) C. Christensen and P. alcicorne [##] are often cultivated. The plants of this splendid tropical genus are much sought for horticultural purposes; the wild population of P. wallichii in Yunnan is almost extinct. It is a nationally protected plant in China.

Platycerium together with Pyrrosia forms a natural monophletic clade in Polypodiaceae which has long been recognized with morphological concordance. Recently, molecular phylogeny studies also support this relationship. The Platycerium-Pyrrosia clade in Polypodiaceae seems rather isolated from others by the characteristics of stellate hairs, and thick fleshy lamina.

1. Platycerium wallichii Hooker, Gard. Chron. 764[??765]. 1858.

鹿角蕨  lu jiao jue

Rhizome thick, fleshy, short-creeping; scales basifixed to peltate, pale with dark brown central portion, stiff, ca. 10 Χ 0.4 mm, margin entire. Basal fronds up to 40 cm or more, as wide as long, 3–5 times dichotomously lobed, lobes equal in length, obtuse or acute, margin entire; main veins and secondary veins raised on both surfaces, smaller ones hardly visible, main veins dichotomous, secondary ones forming network, smaller ones more copiously anastomosing; very thick and fleshy near base, more than 1 cm thick, thin and green at upper portion. Foliage fronds in pairs, 25–70 cm, subsessile, pendulous, lower portion divided into 3 uneven main lobes, upper portion of inner lobe repeatedly dichotomously branching, only outer small lobe not fertile; main veins distinct, dichotomous, smaller ones hardly visible, copiously anastomosing with included veinlets; thick, densely covered with stellate hairs; margin of lamina entire. Soral patches 2, large, at base of first sinus of two main lobes, mixed with stellate paraphyses. Spores 64 per sporangium, green.

Epiphytic on tree trunks and branches up to very high heights from the ground, in tropical lowland rain forests; 200–1000 m. W Yunnan (Yingjiang, at border with Myanmar) [E India, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand].



[1] Herbarium, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 20 Nanxincun, Xiangshan, Beijing 100093, People’s Republic of China.