Elaphoglossum pallidum
Description
Rhizomes short-creeping, 5–8 mm diam.; rhizome scales linear, dark reddish brown, lustrous, 6–12 mm long, each with a flexuous tip; phyllopodia absent; fronds clumped, 24–55 X 4.1–5.6 cm; stipes 1⁄3–1⁄2 the frond length, with scales subulate, spreading, sparse or absent, and with a few minute, erect, glandular hairs; blades elliptic, chartaceous, apices caudate, bases usually rounded (less commonly broadly cuneate); veins evident, free, once- or twice-forked, 1.5–2 mm apart, at 70–80° angle to costa; hydathodes absent; blade scales black, subulate, mostly along the margin, generally early-deciduous, mature specimens with only a few scales or scales totally absent, blades also with minute, black, stellate hairs; fertile fronds much shorter than the sterile (1⁄2–2⁄3), intersporangial scales absent.A
A. Mickel, J. T. & Smith, A. R. 2004: The Pteridophytes of Mexico Vol. 88
Discussion
Elaphoglossum pallidum is very close to E. erinaceum but can be distinguished by the former having nearly glabrous blade margins and narrow, dark brown rhizome scales with flexuous tips, and lanceolate (vs. elliptic) blades. It was treated previously (Mickel & Beitel, 1988) as a synonym of E. tambillense (Hook.) T. Moore, which occurs from Costa Rica to Ecuador. Antillean material seems to lack marginal subulate scales entirely, whereas Mexican material is variable, either lacking scales or with a few scales.B
B. Mickel, J. T. & Smith, A. R. 2004: The Pteridophytes of Mexico Vol. 88
Specimen
Chis (Breedlove 22804, DS, NY, 32046, NY). Gro (Velásquez 257, FCME). Mich (Arsène s.n., 13 Dec 1910, MICH). Mor (Lyonnet 1359, MEXU, 2863, UC, US). Oax (Lorence 4214, NY; Mickel 3772, 7040, NY; Somers 371, NY).D
D. Mickel, J. T. & Smith, A. R. 2004: The Pteridophytes of Mexico Vol. 88