VITTARIACEAE [FIRST DRAFT]
书带蕨科 shu dai jue ke
Zhang Xianchun (张宪春)[1];
Epiphytic or petrophytic plants. Rizhome creeping, bearing roots with very numerous water-absorbing root hairs, and clathrate scales with iridescent lamina. Fronds simple and entire, glabrous, epidermis with large elongate silicious cells. Sori ex indusiate, usually immersed in grooves, elongate along fertile veins, with abundant paraphyses. Spores transparent, trilete or monolete, mostly ellipsoidal, sometimes fusiform, or tetrahedral-globose.
Pantropical in distribution, genera 10, species not more than 100. In China, 3 genera and about 24 species. Usually epiphytic or petrophytic, limited to south of the Yangtze River.
rbcL gene analysis by Crane (1997) indicated that the traditional Antrophyum and Vittaria both are polyphyletic or paraphyletic. 10 monophyletic genera are recognized in Vittariaceae, i.e. Anathacorus, Anetium, Antrophyum, Haplopteris, Hecistopteris, Monogramma, Polytaenium, Radiovittaria, Scoliosorus and Vittaria. Only Antrophyum, Haplopteris, and Monogramma are distributed in China. All the Chinese species formerly classified in Vittaria are now treated in Haplopteris.
Key to genera
1a．Fronds broader, costa none or only at lower part; sori multiseriate along veins, in grooves along the veins on the lower surface of the lamina, rarely one row on each sides; spores monolete. 1. Antrophyum
1b．Fronds linear, costa distinct up to the apex or upper part; sori biseriate or uniseriate, in marginal or submarginal grooves, rarely superficial, or along the costa; spores trilete or monolete.
2a．Sori biseriate in marginal or submarginal grooves, rarely superficial; spores monolete. 2. Haplopteris
2b．Sori uniseriate, 1-3 along the costa or on lateral veins, immersed; spores trilete.
3． Monogramma
1. ANTROPHYUM Kaulf., Enum. Fil. 197, 282. 1824.
车前蕨属 che qian jue shu
Small to medium-sized epiphytic or epilithic ferns. Rhizome short erect or creeping, densely covered with clathrate, iridescent scales, and roots with numerous water-absorbing root hairs. Fronds simple; laminae fleshy, or leathery, shrunk when dry, broadly lanceolate or oblanceolate, sometimes linear, spathulate, obovate, or suborbicular, rarely forked at apex; mostly gradually narrowed into a petiole-like base; costa usually only present in the basal part; lateral veins abundantly reticulate, without free included veinlets. Sori coenosorus, soral lines superficial or immersed, on the lateral veins, netted or branched, less often simple; paraphyses abundant, club-shaped with a capitate head, or taeniform, or filiform. Spores trilete, tetrahedral-globose, surface low-papillate, often with scattered spherules and rodlets.
About unclear 40 species, which badly need taxonomic revision. 9 in China. The species are either epiphytes or epilithic plants. In dry periods the fronds shrivel and curl up to some extant. Like most tropical plants, the species of Antrophyum reach to their north most limits of distribution in mainland Asia, at south of the Yangzi River in central China, while along the pacific islands up to the central part of Japan archipelagoes.
Ching (1940, 1978) treats this genus in a rather strict sense, which does not include the tropical American Anetium, Polytaenium and Scoliosorus. This is also supported by the molecular studies of Crane (1995, 1997). Kramer (1990) believed that Although the genus has been divided into the Old World Antrophyum s. str., with the costa evanescing above the base and paraphyses present among the sporangia, and the New World genus Polytaenium, with percurrent costa and without paraphyses, the overall characters are basically no much different, yet another monotypic American genus, namely Anetium might be included in it.
The Asian species could be divided into three main groups according to the types of paraphyses, i.e. A. obovate group with capitate paraphyses; A. henryi group with taeniform paraphyses; and A. callifolium group with filamentous paraphyses. A. obovate group might be the most primitive group, while A. callifolium group be the most advanced one in this genus.
Key to species
1a. Paraphyses club-shaped, capitate. (A. obovatum group)
2a. Fronds 10-25cm long, broadest above middle, 2-8 cm broad.
3a. Lamina obovate, as long as stipe; margin of scales toothed.....................................
.........................................................................................1. A. obovatum Baker
3b. Lamina oblanceolate; margin of scales entire.......................2. A. castaneum H. Ito
2b. Fronds 2-8 cm long, 0.5-1.0 cm broad; lamina oblanceolate, spatulate, or elliptic; stipe
indistinct...............................................................................3. A. parvulum Blume
1b. Paraphyses taeniform, or filiform, spirally twisted.
4a. Paraphyses taeniform. (A. henryi group)
5a. Lamina oblong-lanceloate, 1.5-3.0 cm broad; stipe short or indistinct...........................
...................................................................................4. A. formosanum Hieron.
5b. Lamina linear-lanceolata, 0.5-1.8 cm broad; stipe indistinct........................................
.............................................................................................5. A. henryi Hieron.
4b. Paraphyses filiform. (A. callifolium group)
6a. Lamina broad; soral lines many.
7a. Lamina oblong-lanceolate to broadly oblanceolate, 1.5-10 cm broad; sorial lines
usually netted.
8a. Stipe 3-10 cm long.....................................................6. A. callifolium Blume
8b. Stipe indistinct...............................................7. A. sessilifolium (Cav.) Spring
7b . Lamina oblanceolate, 1-1.5 cm broad; stipe indistinct; soral lines simple, paralleled.
....................................................8. A. coriaceum (D. Don) Wall. ex T. Moore
6b. Lamina linear, 0.7-1.0 cm broad; sori usually in one row near the margin on both
sides of lamina.................................................................9. A. vittarioides Baker
1. Antrophyum obovatum Baker, Kew Bull. 233. 1898.
长柄车前蕨 chang bing che qian jue
Rhizome short erect; scales dark-brown, lanceolate, 6-10 mm long, apex long acuminate, bristle-like, margin minutely denticulate, clathrate; fronds clustered; stipes 2-15 cm long, appressed, base covered with scales like those on rhizome, upwards with sparse different sized scales, gradually glabrous; laminae thin coriaceous, obovate, 2-10 cm long, 2-8 cm broad, widest medially or above, apex long acuminate or caudate, sometimes upper part irregular lacerate at margin, base attenuate along stipe; costa none; veins abundantly reticulate. Soral lines superficial or slightly immersed, on the lateral veins, netted, fertile in middle part of lamina; paraphyses club-shaped with a capitate head. Spores trilete, tetrahedral-globose, surface papillate.
In evergreen broad-leaved forests, epiphytic on lower part of tree trunks or on rocks at 250-2400 m alt. Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hunan, Jiangxi, Sichuan, Taiwan, Xizang and Yunnan [Japan, Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar, India, Bhutan, Nepal].
This species is very similar to A. plantagineum (Cav.) Kaulf., and need more studies.
2. Antrophyum castaneum H. Ito, J. Jap. Bot. 12: 473, f. 7: 1. 1936.
栗色车前蕨 li se che qian jue
Rhizome short erect or short-creeping; scales dark-brown, linear-lanceolate, 3-8 mm long, apex long acuminate, bristle-like, margin entire, clathrate; fronds clustered; stipes 5-10 cm long, base covered with scales like those on rhizome, upwards with scales, gradually glabrous; laminae coriaceous, oblanceolate, 10-20 cm long, 1-3 cm broad, widest above medial, apex acute, base attenuate along stipe; costa none; veins abundantly reticulate. Soral lines slightly immersed, netted or parallel; paraphyses club-shaped with a capitate head. Spores trilete, tetrahedral-globose, surface papillate.
Very rare. Endemic to Taiwan.
3. Antrophyum parvulum Blume, Enum. Pl. Jav. 110. 1828, & Fl. Jav. 78, t. 34, f. 3. 1828.
小车前蕨 xiao che qian jue
Rhizome short erect; scales brown, lanceolate, margin minutely denticulate, clathrate; fronds clustered; stipes indistinct, appressed, base covered with small scales, gradually glabrous; laminae coriaceous, oblanceolate, spatulate, or oblong, 1-6 cm long, 0.5-1 cm broad, apex acuminate or rounded, often lacerate or bifurcate, base attenuate; costa indistinct or only visible at lower 1/3; veins abundantly reticulate, invisible on both surfaces. Soral lines slightly immersed, forked but not netted; paraphyses club-shaped with a capitate head. Spores trilete, tetrahedral-globose, surface papillate.
Epiphytic on tree trunks or on limestone at elevations of 400 to 800 m. Hainan, Taiwan [Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, and India].
It might be conspecific to A. immersum (Bory ex Willd.) Mett. which need further studies. From A. obovatum Baker it is quite different by its small size and stipe indistinct.
4. Antrophyum formosanum Hieron., Hedwigia 57: 210. 1916.
台湾车前蕨 tai wan che qian jue
Rhizome slender, short-creeping or ascending; scales dark-brown, lanceolate, 3-5 mm long, 0.5 mm broad at base, apex long acuminate, margin minutely denticulate, clathrate; fronds clustered; stipes with wings; laminae coriaceous, oblong-lanceolate, 10-20 cm long, 1.5-3 cm broad, widest medially or above, apex acute, base long attenuate; costa indistinct; veins abundantly reticulate. Soral lines slightly immersed, netted; paraphyses taeniform. Spores trilete, tetrahedral-globose, surface papillate.
On moist rocks by streams in forests at elevations lower than 1000 m. Taiwan [Ryukyu Islands].
This species and its relative A. henryi Hieron. both have taeniform paraphyses, but the latter is much smaller, sori lines not anastomosing.
5. Antrophyum henryi Hieron., Hedwigia 57: 208. 1916.
车前蕨 che qian jue
Rhizome slender, short-creeping or erect; scales pale-brown, linear-lanceolate, 1.5-3.5 mm long, 0.1-0.3 mm broad, margin obviously denticulate, clathrate; fronds clustered; stipes indistinct; laminae subcoriaceous, linear-lanceolate, 5-15 cm long, 0.8-1.5 cm broad, widest medially or above, apex narrowly acute, base long attenuate; costa indistinct; veins abundantly reticulate, raised above, invisible below. Soral lines 3-5, zigzag, nearly parallel, continuous or interrupted, or forming nets, lower 1/3 not fertile; paraphyses taeniform. Spores trilete, tetrahedral-globose, surface papillate.
On moist mossy rocks or epiphytic on tree trunks in valley, at 300-1600 m alt. Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, and Yunnan [N. Thailand, India (Assam, Sikkim)].
6. Antrophyum callifolium Blume, Enum. Pl. Jav. 111. 1828, & Fl. Jav. 83, t. 35. 1829.
美叶车前蕨 mei ye che qian jue
Antrophyum annamense Tardieu & C. Chr., Not. Syst. 7(1): 13. 1938 & in H. Lecomte, Fl. Gen. Indo-Chine 7: 204, f. 24: 3-4. 1940.
Rhizome short erect; scales dark-brown, linear-lanceolate, ca. 6 mm long, ca. 1 mm broad, apex long acuminate, bristle-like, margin sparsely denticulate, clathrate; fronds clustered; stipes 1-3 cm long, appressed, glabrous; laminae coriaceous, obovate-lanceolate or oblong-lanceolate, 15-40 cm long, 2-10 cm broad, widest above medial, apex acuminate or caudate, base attenuate along stipe; costa only visible at base; veins abundantly reticulate, raised above, invisible below. Soral lines continuous or interrupted, partly netted; paraphyses filiform, longer than sporangia. Spores trilete, tetrahedral-globose, surface papillate.
Epiphytic on tree trunks or on rocks, at elevations from 100 to 1600 m. Guangxi, Hainan, and Yunnan [Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, India, Sira Lanka, the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia and Australia].
A very variable species, particularly in the width of the lamina. A. annamense Tardieu & C. Chr. represents another extremely forms with large, broad lamina, which are found in Hainan and Northern Vietnam. But, intermediate forms link them all together. It might be conspecific to A. reticulatum (Forst.) Kaulf.
7. Antrophyum sessilifolium Spring, Syst. Veg. 4: 67. 1827.
无柄车前蕨 wu bing che qian jue
Antrophyum cumingii Fee, Mem. Foug. 4: 72, t. 4, f. 7. 1851-1852.
Rhizome short erect; scales linear-lanceolate, 5-6 mm long, margin minutely denticulate, clathrate; fronds clustered; stipes indistinct; laminae coriaceous, obvate-lanceolate or oblong-lanceolate, 15-30 cm long, 1.5-2.5 cm broad, widest medially or above, base attenuate; costa visible at base. Soral lines immersed; paraphyses filiform. Spores trilete, tetrahedral-globose, surface papillate.
On moist mossy rocks in dense forests. Taiwan, only known from Lanyu (Orchid Island, Botel Tobago) [Philippines].
No specimens of this species from Taiwan are available for comparison. In Kew herbarium, some specimens from Luzon determined as this species quite like A. coriaceum (D. Don) Wall. ex T. Moore.
8. Antrophyum coriaceum Wall. ex T. Moore, Ind. Fil. 5: 80. 1858.
革叶车前蕨 ge ye che qian jue
Rhizome short-creeping; scales dark-brown, subulate-lanceolate, 6-9 mm long, 0.5 mm broad at base, apex acuminate, bristle-like, margin denticulate, clathrate; fronds clustered; stipes indistinct; laminae coriaceous, oblanceolate, 15-30 cm long, 2 cm broad at middle, widest above medial, up to 3 cm broad, apex rounded, base long attenuate to the very base; costa only visible at base; veins abundantly reticulate, raised above, forming several parallel lines, invisible below. Soral lines continuous, rarely interrupted, parallel, not netted, only lower part 1/3 fertile; paraphyses filiform, longer than sporangia. Spores trilete, tetrahedral-globose, surface papillate.
Usually epiphytic on tree trunks in evergreen forests, at elevations from 1300 to 1500 m. Yunnan and Xizang [N. Myanmar, NE. India, Bhutan, Nepal].
The plants sometimes approaching the narrow-leaved forms of A. callifolium Blume, except the latter with obvious stipes. Dryed fronds are olive-green.
9. Antrophyum vittarioides Baker, J. Bot. 28: 267. 1890.
书带车前蕨 shu dai che qian jue
Antrophyum stenophyllum Baker, Kew Bull. 233, 1898, non Rovirosa 1909.
Rhizome short-creeping, apex ascending or erect; scales pale-brown, subulate-lanceolate, 4-5 mm long, 0.5-1 mm broad at base, margin dentate, base lacerate, clathrate; fronds clustered; stipes ca. 1 cm long or shorter, appressed and winged, base slightly swollen, covered with scales like those on rhizome, verrucas after deciduous; laminae coriaceous, linear, 15-20 cm long, 0.7-1 cm broads; costa obvious, infra-medial visible, evanescent upwards; veins reticulate, forming 2-3 linear areolas. Soral lines linear, submarginal, one row on each side of costa, parallel to costa, or interrupted, slightly immersed in grooves, middle part fertile; paraphyses filiform, longer than sporangia. Spores trilete, tetrahedral-globose, surface ornamentation obscure.
Epiphytic by streams in dense forests at 300-1000 m alt. Guizhou, and Yunnan [Vietnam].
This species is close to A. brookei Hook. and A. subfalcatum Brack. from tropical Asian islands in the sori lines usually in one row near the margin on both sides of fronds. Superficial like Haplopteris fudzinoi (Makino) E. H. Crane.
2. HAPLOPTERIS C. Presl, Tent. Pterid. 141.1836.
书带蕨属 shu dai jue shu
Epiphytic or petrophytic grass-like plants. Fronds simple, linear, entire, glabrous. Venation consisting of a costa and oblique unbranched veins, free except for a submarginal fertile connecting vein. Sori in one elongate marginal or submarginal groove on each side of lamina, immersed, rarely superficial; paraphyses long with a dark obconic head. Spores monolete, most ellipsoidal, sometimes fusiform, smooth, transparent.
In tropical and subtropical Asia, about 40 unclear species. 13 in China.
Most of the Old World species formally classified in Vittaria (s. l.) belong to Haplopteris as reflected in modern rbcL phylogenetic system.
Key to species
1a. Soral line submarginal.
2a. Sori line superficial; margin of lamina straight or revolute.
3b. Scales dark-brown, small, straight, areola wall thick; sori line submarginal, covered by revolute margin of lamina. ........ ........ ........ ....... ............................... 1. H. amboinensis
3b. Scales yellow-brown, large, soft, twisted, areola wall thin; sori line with a broad area between margins of lamina.
4a. Lamina broad over 6 mm; scales large, broad, up to 10-20 mm long; sori line with a broad area between costa.
5a. Stipe short, thick; lamina 10-30 mm broad; scales up to 20 mm long. ............ 2. H. doniana
5b. Stipe none, or slender; lamina 5-12 mm broad; scales ca. 10 mm long.
6a. Lamina 6-12 mm broad; sori line 1-1.5 mm away from the margins of lamina. ................... ................ ................ ................ ................ ........ 3. H. taeniophylla
6b. Lamina 5-6 mm broad; sori line ca. 1 mm away from the margins of lamina. .......... ...................... ...................... ...................................... 4. H. himalayensis
4b. Lamina 2-3 mm broad; scales small, ca. 0.5 mm long; sori line close to costa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . .. 5. H. mediosora
2b. Sori line immersed in groove between costa and margins of lamina; margins of lamina revolute.
7a. Scales yellow-brown, soft, twisted, areola wall thin.
8a. Lamina 5-10 mm broad, or more.
9a. Costa not raised above, with a narrow concave line above. .............. .............. .............. ............. .............. ............. 6. H. plurisulcata
9b. Costa raised above, lamina with a broad concave line on each side of costa on upper surface. ....... ................. ................. ................. ............................ 7. H. fudzinoi
8b. Lamina 2-4 mm braod; costa flattened below, with a narrow concave line above; sori line fully occupy the area between costa and margins of lamina when mature. ...... 8. H. linearifolia
7b. Scales straight, dark-brown or yellow-brown, areola wall thick.
10a. Scales dark-brown, linear-lanceolate, 5-10 mm long; lamina with a convex line close to the margins. ...... .......... .......... .......... .......... . .......... ................ 9. H. hainanensis
10b. Scales yellow-brown, subulate-lanceolate or lanceolate, 2-3 mm long; lamina without a convex line close to the margins, only with a narrow concave line above.
11a. Costa flattened below, wide; sori line covered by the costa. .......... 10. H. sikkimensis
11b. Costa raised below, narrow; sori line with a broad area between costa. ... 11. H. flexuosa
1b. Soral line marginal, immersed in groove, open outwards.
12a. Lamina up to 100 cm long or longer, ca. 10 mm broad; stipe long, slender; scales dark-brown. ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ............... 12. H. elongata
12b. Lamina 8-30 cm long, 2-4 mm broad; stipe short; scales yellow-brown. ... .......... .......... .......... .... ..... .......... .......... ......... 13. H. anguste-elongata
1. Haplopteris amboinensis (Fιe) X. C. Zhang, Ann. Bot. Fennici 40: 460. 2003.
剑叶书带蕨 jian ye shu dai jue
Vittaria amboinensis Fιe, Mιm. Foug. 3: 14, t. 1, f. 1. 1851-52; V. ensata Christ, Journ. Bot. 21: 240. 1908; V. latifolia Ching, non Benedit; V. lauana Ching; V. chingii B.S. Wang
Rhizome thick, long-creeping, bearing roots with very numerous water-absorbing root hairs; scales dark-brown, obscure iridescent, subulate-lanceolate, 3-5 mm long, 0.5 mm broad at base, apex acuminate, margin prominent denticulate, apical areola not transparent, wall thick, obviously verrucate, dark coloured; fronds clustered; stipes 2-4 mm distant, 4-10 cm long, slender, appressed, base covered with scales; laminae hard papyraceous, or subcoriaceous, brown colour when dry, lanceolate, 20-40 cm long, 10-25 mm broad, gradually narrowed to both ends, apex long acuminate, base long attenuated along stipe, margin slightly revolute when dry; costa invisible above, narrowly concave above, raised below, flattened, veins evident. Soral line submarginal, superficial, or slightly immersed, infra-medial and apical part sterile; parpahyses many, long, with an obconic head, width about half of length of the head. Spores monolete, oblong in outline, surface papillate.
Epiphytic or petrophytic in evergreen forests. Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, Hongkong, and Yunnan [N. India, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malay, Indonesia].
2. Haplopteris doniana (Mett. ex Hieron.) E. H. Crane, Syst. Bot. 22: 514. 1997.
带状书带蕨 dai zhuang shu dai jue
Vittaria doniana Mett. ex Hieron., Hedwigia 57: 204. 1916; V. forrestiana Ching
Rhizome thick, short-creeping; scales yellow-brown, bright iridescent, soft, twisted, linear-lanceolate, 10-20 mm long, 1-2.5 mm broad, lower margin subentire, upper part minutely denticulate, apex long acuminate, areola wall thin; fronds clustered; stipes thick, short, 1-2 cm long; laminae thick coriaceous, shrink when dry, ribbon-like, 15-35 cm long or longer, 10-30 mm broad, widest medially or above, apex long attenuate or caudate, base long attenuate and winged on stipe, margin cartilaginous; costa thick, slightly raised above, carinate below. Soral line 1-2 mm to the margin, superficial; parpahyses long, with an obconic head, length longer than width of the head. Spores monolete, oblong in outline, surface rugate.
Epiphytic or petrophytic, alt. 1650-3300 m. Guangxi, Guizhou, Yunnan and Xizang [N Myanmar and N India].
Vittaria forrestiana Ching perhaps represent a thin frond form of this species, which was found mainly from NW Yunnan. The report of it from Thailand, Indo-Chine and Japan are all misidentifications of Haplopteris amboinensis (Fιe ) X.C. Zhang (V. amboinensis Fιe).
3. Haplopteris taeniophylla (Copel.) E. H. Crane, Syst. Bot. 22: 514.1997.
广叶书带蕨 guang ye shu dai jue
Vittaria taeniophylla Copel., Philip. J. Sci. Suppl. 1: 157. 1906.
Rhizome short-creeping; scales pale-brown, bright iridescent, lanceolate, ca.10 mm long, ca.0.5 mm broad; fronds clustered; stipes none; laminae subcoriaceous, ribbon-like, 30-60 cm long or longer, 6-12 mm broad, widest medially or above, apex acute, base long attenuate; costa distinct. Soral line 1-1.3 mm to the margin, superficial or slightly immersed.
Epiphytic on base of tree trunk. Taiwan [Philippines].
4. Haplopteris himalayensis (Ching) E. H. Crane, Syst. Bot. 22: 514. 1997.
喜马拉雅书带蕨 xi ma la ya shu dai jue
Vittaria himalayaensis Ching, Sinensia 1(12): 190, f. 5B: 1-2. 1931.
Rhizome short-creeping, 3-5 mm thick; scales dark-brown, bright iridescent, linear-lanceolate, ca. 10 mm long, ca. 1 mm broad, apex bristle-like, margin obviously denticulate; fronds clustered; stipes slender, short or long; laminae thin herbaceous, linear, 30-60 cm long, 5-6 mm broad, broad usually near the middle, narrowed gradually to both ends, base attenuate to the very base; costa invisible above, raised below, flattened. Soral line ca. 1 mm to the margin, superficial; parpahyses long, with an obconic head, length longer than width of the head. Spores monolete, oblong in outline, surface papillate.
Epiphytic or petrophytic, alt. 1700-2900 m. Yunnan W & NW, and S Xizang [N India, Sikkim, Bhutan, Nepal].
5. Haplopteris mediosora (Hayata) X. C. Zhang, Ann. Bot. Fennici 40: 460. 2003.
中囊书带蕨 zhong nang shu dai jue
Vittaria mediosora Hayata, Icon. Pl. Formos. 5: 346, f. 149: g-i. 1915; V. stenophylla Copel.; V. tibetica Ching et S. K. Wu
Rhizome short-creeping or ascending; scales brown, bright iridescent, linear-lanceolate, 3-7 mm long, ca. 0.2 mm broad, margin minutely denticulate, apex bristle-like; fronds clustered; stipes slender, ca. 1 mm thick, 4-5 cm long; laminae herbaceous, linear, 10-25 cm long, 2-3 mm broad, margin straight or slightly revolute, apex gradually narrowed, base attenuate; costa invisible above, raised below, flattened, slender. Soral line superficial, between close and margin of lamina; parpahyses long, with an obconic head, length and width equal of the head. Spores monolete, elliptic in outline, surface ornamentation obscure.
Epiphytic or petrophytic, alt. 2700-3500 m. W Sichuan, C Taiwan, C Yunnan to W & NW,and S & SE Xiznag [E Himalaya, and the Philippines].
6. Haplopteris plurisulcata (Ching) X. C. Zhang, Ann. Bot. Fennici 40: 461. 2003.
曲鳞书带蕨 qu lin shu dai jue
Vittaria plurisulcata Ching, Sinensia 1: 186, pl. 4, f. 1-3. 1931.
Rhizome short-creeping; scales light brown, lanceolate, 5-8 mm long, ca. 1 mm broad at base, areola wall thin, soft, twisted, margin entire, apex bristle-like; fronds clustered; stipes short; laminae herbaceous, lanceolate, 30-40 cm long, 5-8 mm broad, gradually narrowed to both ends, margin slightly revolute; costa invisible above, slightly raised below, slender. Soral line immersed in groove, close to the revolute margin, ca. 2 mm to the costa, lower 1/3 not fertile; parpahyses long, with an obconic head, width about half of the length of the head. Spores monolete, elliptic in outline, surface ornamentation obscure.
Epiphytic or petrophytic, alt. 1850-2900 m. W Sichuan, C Taiwan, C Yunnan to W & NW, S & SE Xiznag [N Vietnam].
7. Haplopteris fudzinoi (Makino) E. H. Crane, Syst. Bot. 22: 514. 1997.
平肋书带蕨 pin le shu dai jue
Vittaria fudzinoi Makino, Bot. Mag. Tokyo 12: 28. 1898; V.centrochinensis Ching ex J.F. Cheng
Rhizome short-creeping, or asscending; scales yellow-brown, bright iridescent, soft, twisted, small ones ca. 5 mm long, ca. 1 mm broad, subulate-triangular, margin denticulate, large ones ca. 8 mm long, 01.-0.2 mm broad, linear-lanceolate, apex bristle-like, margin sub-entire; fronds clustered; stipes dark, 1-6 cm long, or nearly none; laminae thick coriaceous, linear or narrow ribbon-like, 15-55 cm long, 5 mm broad, sometimes up to 8-10 mm broad, narrowed gradually to both ends, base long attenuate; costa raised above, upper surface with two parallel long grooves beside the costa, also raised below, broadened, flattened. Soral line close to the margin, immersed in groove or more or less superficial; parpahyses long, with an obconic head, length longer than width of the head. Spores monolete, oblong in outline, surface with obscure papillate.
Epiphytic or petrophytic, alt. 1300-2800 m. Anhui, Chongqing, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Hubei, Hunan, Guizhou, Jiangxi, Sichuan,Yunnan [Japan].
The broad frond form, with sori line more or less superficial, scales more brown in color are found mainly from Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Hunan, Guangdong and Guangxi, which has been published as Vittaria centrochinensis J.F. Chen. It approaches the Philippine Vittaria taeniophylla Copel.
8. Haplopteris linearifolia (Ching) X. C. Zhang, Ann. Bot. Fennici 40: 460. 2003.
线叶书带蕨 xian ye shu dai jue
Vittaria linearifolia Ching, Sinensia 1(12): 183, pl. 1, f. 1-3. 1931.
Rhizome short-creeping; scales light brown, bright iridescent, lanceolate, ca. 10 mm long, ca. 1.5 mm broad at base, twisted, margin denticulate; fronds clustered; stipes shorter, slender, glabrous, light brown at base; laminae thick coriaceous, linear, 20-50 cm long, 2-4 mm broad, margin strongly revolute; costa invisible above, raised below, flattened, very broad, up to half of the width of lamina. Soral line deeply immersed in groove, very close to the costa; parpahyses long, with an obconic head, length slightly shorter than width or equal of the head. Spores monolete, oblong in outline, surface ornamentation obscure.
Epiphytic or petrophytic, alt. 1700-3400 m. W & NW Yunnan, SE Xiznag [India (Assam), N. Myanmar].
9. Haplopteris hainanensis (C. Chr. ex Ching) E. H. Crane, Syst. Bot. 22: 514. 1997. 海南书带蕨 hai nan shu dai jue
Vittaria hainanensis C. Chr. ex Ching, Sinensia 1(12): 182, pl. 1, f. 1-4. 1931.
Rhizome short-creeping, ca. 2 mm thick; scales dark-brown, bright iridescent, linear-lanceolate, 5-10 mm long, 0.5 mm broad at base, apex bristle-like, marginal one row areola thin-walled, middle areola wall thick, dark coloured; fronds clustered; stipes none; laminae very coriaceous, linear or lanceolate, 10-30 cm long, 2-4 mm broad, rarely 5-11 mm broad, broad usually near the middle, narrowed gradually to both ends, flattened to the very base, margin strongly revolute; costa visible below, sometimes above, not raised; veins usually not evident. Soral line submarginal, immersed in deep groove, thus raised above; parpahyses long, with an obconic head, width and length of the head about equal. Spores monolete, oval in outline, surface obscure papillate.
On palm tree, alt. 100-950 m. Hainan, SYunnan [N Vietnam].
It is conspecific toV. ensiformis Sw. or not is still a problem.
10. Haplopteris sikkimensis (Kuhn) E. H. Crane, Syst. Bot. 22: 514. 1997.
锡金书带蕨 xi jin shu dai jue
Vittaria sikkimensis Kuhn, Linnaea 36: 66. 1869.
Plants very small. Rhizome very slender, short-creeping or ascending; scales pale-brown, bright iridescent, subulate-lanceolate, 2-4 mm long, ca. 0.25-0.5 mm broad, marginal one row areola thin-walled, middle areola wall thick, dark colored; margin minutely denticulate, apex long bristle-like; fronds clustered; stipes short, slender, appressed; laminae thin herbaceous, linear, 1.5-12 cm long, 0.5-1.5 mm broad, normally 4-6 cm by 1 mm, margin slightly revolute, apex acute or rounded, base long attenuate; costa invisible above, raised below, wide, flattened. Soral line deeply immersed in groove, covered by the costa, occupy the area between costa and margin when mature; parpahyses long, with an obconic head, length longer than width of the head. Spores monolete, elliptic in outline, surface sparsely papillate.
Epiphytic or petrophytic in evergreen broad-leaved forests, mixed with Lecuobryum, alt. 1400-2200 m. S, SE & W Yunnan, SE Xiznag [N India, Sikkim, Myanmar, N Thailand, N Vietnam].
11. Haplopteris flexuosa (Fιe) E. H. Crane, Syst. Bot. 22: 514. 1997.
书带蕨 shu dai jue
Vittaria flexuosa Fιe, Mιm. Foug. 3: 16. 1851-52; V. caricina Christ; V. filipes Christ; V. modesta Hand.-Mazz.; V. nana Ching; V. ophiopogonoides Ching; V. costularis Ching
Rhizome short-creeping, fronds very close, scales deciduous; rhizome scales yellow-brown, bright, iridescent, subulate-lanceolate, (2-)5-6 mm long, ca. 0.2-0.5 mm broad at base, apex bristle-like, margin denticulate, areola wall thick, dark coloured; fronds clustered; stipes slender, short, base pale-brown, with small fibrous scales; laminae herbaceous, linear, 15-40 cm long or longer, 4-6 mm broad, small ones 6-12 cm long, 1-2.5 mm broad, narrowed gradually to both ends, base long attenuate; costa narrowly concave above, raised below, slender, veins invisible, margin of lamina revolute and partly cover the sori. Soral line submarginal, immersed in groove, with a broad area between costa, but in marrow frons plants, occupy the whole area when mature, fertile medially; parpahyses many, long, with an obconic head, length and width about equal of the head. Spores monolete, oblong in outline, surface with obscure papillate.
Epiphytic or petrophytic, alt. 100-3200 m. Anhui, Chongqing, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, Hongkong, Hubei, Hunan, Guizhou, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Sichuan, Taiwan, Xizang, Yunnan and Zhejiang [Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar, India, Sikkim, Bhutan, Nepal, Japan, Korea Peninsular].
The narrow frond form, with sori line full the area between costa, growing in crevices of rocks in dry conditions or on wet cliffs of caves, are forms called V. caricina Christ, Vittaria nana Ching and V. modesta Hand.-Mazz.; the epiphytic long frond form from humid evergreen monsoon forests in East Himalaya is called V. ophiopogonoides Ching; while intermediate forms named as V. filipes Christ or V. costularia Ching before. This species is wide spread in East Asia very variable in size but constant in scales and papraphyese characters, margin of lamina always revolute to cover partly the sori line.
12. Haplopteris elongata (Sw.) E. H. Crane, Syst. Bot. 22: 514. 1997.
唇边书带蕨 chun bian shu dai jue
Vittaria elongata Sw., Syn. Fil. 109, 302. 1806; V. pauciariolata Ching
Rhizome rather long, creeping, much branched, bearing roots with very numerous water-absorbing root hairs; scales dark-brown, bright iridescent, subulate-lanceolate, 4-5 mm long, 0.5-1 mm broad at base, apex bristle-like, margin prominent denticulate, areola wall thick, dark coloured; fronds clustered, drooping; stipes ca. 0.5 mm distant; laminae subcoriaceous, linear or ribbon like, up to 100 cm long, 5-20 mm broad, apex rounded or obtuse, base gradually narrowed; costa slender, not prominent, veins evident. Soral line marginal, immersed in deep groove, open outwards, fertile throughout; parpahyses many, long, with an obconic head, length longer than width of the head. Spores monolete, narrow oblong in outline, surface ornamentation obscure.
Epiphytic or petrophytic, alt. 190-1350 m. Fujian, Hainan, Guangdong, Guangxi, SE Xizang, S Yunnan [Indo-China, Thailand, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Malay, Indonesia, Phillipnes, Australia, Madagascar, S Japan].
This species always grow with other epiphytic ferns, notably with Pseudodrynaria coronans ( Wall. ex Mett.) Ching, and species of Asplenium nidus group, and Asplenium laserpitifolium groups. It is a polymorphic species, with different size, and colour of scales changes in different habitat. All the Chinese specimens identified as Vittaria zosterifolia (Borry) Willd. And V. merrillii Christ belong to this species.
13. Haplopteris anguste-elongata (Hayata) E. H. Crane, Syst. Bot. 22: 514. 1997.
姬书带蕨 ji shu dai jue
Vittaria anguste-elongata Hayata, Icon. Pl. Form. 6: 161. 1916.
Rhizome slender, long-creeping, ascending; scales yellow-brown, bright iridescent, linear-lanceolate, 5-7 mm long, 02.-0.3 mm broad at base, apex bristle-like, often with a glandular like head, margin subentire, margin areola wall thin, dark-brown; fronds clustered; stipes indistinct, slender, appressed, glabrous; laminae thin herbaceous, brown colour when dry, linear, 8-30 cm long, 2-4 mm broad, gradually narrowed to both ends, apex short acuminate or caudate; costa slender, slightly raised above, indistinct below, veins not evident. Soral line marginal, immersed in deep groove, open outwards, fertile throughout; parpahyses many, long, with an obconic head, width about half of length of the head. Spores monolete, oblong in outline, surface ornamentation obscure.
Epiphytic or petrophytic. Fujian, Hainan, and Taiwan [Ryukyu and the Philippines].
3．MONOGRAMMA Commerson ex Schkuhr, Krypt. Gewδchse 1: 82. 1809.
一条线蕨属 yi tiao xian jue shu
Vaginularia Fιe, Congr. Sci. France, Dix. Sess. 1: 178. 1843.
Fronds very small, simple, linear, entire, glabrous. Venation consisting of a costa and at most a few almost parallel fertile veins. Sori born in a single groove along the costa or on fertile veins, continuous or interrupted; paraphyses without a head, short. Spores trilete, smooth, transparent.
About 9 species, from tropical Asia to Australia, and the Pacific Islands. 2 in China (Hainan and Taiwan Islands).
Vaginularia Fιe and Monogramma Commerson ex Schkuhr are both diminutive derivate small plants resemble each other and can not be distinguished properly.
Key to species
1a. Only 1 sorus per frond, on groove of costa. . 1. Monogramma paradoxa
1b. 1-2 sori per frond, on lateral veins. . 2. Monogramma trichoidea
3.1 Monogramma paradoxa (Fιe) Bedd., Ferns Brit. India Suppl. 24. 1876.
连孢一条线蕨 lian bao yi tiao xian jue
Pleurogramma ? paradoxa Fιe, Mem. Foug. 3: 38, t. 4, f. 4. 1851-52.
Small grass like plants, fronds filiform. Rhizome less than 1 mm thick, creeping, stipes about 1 mm apart. Scales dark-brown, clathrate, lanceolate, 0.8-1.25 mm long, 0.25-0.5 mm broad, margin denticulate; fronds clustered; laminae 3-12 cn long, 0.5-1 mm broad, filiform, apex acute, base long attenuate, without lateral vein. Sorus only one in groove of costa, elongate, not interrupt, covered by raised margins of costa, fertile medially, swollen when mature; paraphyses filiform, without a head. Spores trilete, surface ornamentation obscure.
Very rare. Epiphytic or petrophytic. Taiwan [Sri Lanka, Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia, Polynesia, Micronesia, and Hawaii].
3.2 Monogramma trichoidea (Fιe) Hook., Sp. Fil. 5: 123. 1864.
针叶蕨 zhen ye jue
Vaginularia trichoidea Fιe, Mιm. Foug. 3: 34. 1851-52.
Small grass like plants, fronds filiform. Rhizome less than 1 mm thick, creeping, stipes about 1 mm apart. Scales brown, subulate-lanceolate, ca.0.5 mm long, clathrate; fronds clustered; laminae filiform, 5-12 cm long, ca. 0.5 mm broad at sterile part; costa throughout, with 1-2 lateral veins. Sorus 1-2 per frond, on lateral veins, covered by costa and outer side of raised lateral vein; paraphyses without a head, many. Spores trilete, surface ornamentation obscure.
Petrophytic on shaded wet rocks in dense forests in valley, alt. 700-1400 m. Hainan, and Taiwan [Sumatra, Thailand, and the Philippines].
[1] Herbarium, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 20 Nanxincun, Xiangshan, Beijing 100093, Peoples Republic of China.