Elaphoglossum alan-smithii
Description
Rhizomes moderately creeping, ca. 2 mm diam.; rhizome scales dense to sparse, ovate-lanceolate, tan to orange with varying degrees of dark, lustrous, sclerotic streaking, 2–4 mm long (deeply cordate, appearing peltate), entire or with occasional small, irregular teeth; fronds 2–10 mm apart, (4–)9–22(–41) X 0.9–2.6 cm; phyllopodia distinct; stipes 1⁄6–1⁄3 the frond length, with sparse tan ovate scales, at least at the bases; blades narrowly elliptic, coriaceous, apices acuminate, bases cuneate; veins obscure, free, simple or once-forked, ca. 1 mm apart, at 60–70° angle to costa; hydathodes absent; adaxial blade surfaces essentially glabrous; abaxial surfaces with linear scales with hastate or stellate bases, or scales deeply stellate; fertile fronds similar to the sterile in blade size and shape but usually somewhat longer, intersporangial scales absent.A
A. Mickel, J. T. & Smith, A. R. 2004: The Pteridophytes of Mexico Vol. 88
Discussion
This species closely resembles E. affine in the dark streaking of the rhizome scales and blade size and shape but is noticeably more scaly, and the blade apices are distinctly acuminate. The type collection consists of plants about the size of specimens of E. affine (4–22 cm long), but Mickel 3735, from the same locality, has longer fronds (28–41 cm).B
B. Mickel, J. T. & Smith, A. R. 2004: The Pteridophytes of Mexico Vol. 88
Distribution
México (Country) endemicC
Specimen
Chis (Breedlove 22732, DS, 40809, DS, 53377, CAS). Oax (Mickel 3735, NY).D
D. Mickel, J. T. & Smith, A. R. 2004: The Pteridophytes of Mexico Vol. 88
Synonymy
Elaphoglossum alan-smithii, Brittonia 32: 334. 1980