Tectaria incisa Cav., Descr. Pl.

Kessler, Michael & Smith, Alan R., 2018, Prodromus of a fern flora for Bolivia. XXXVIII. Tectariaceae, Phytotaxa 334 (3), pp. 248-254 : 251

Tectaria incisa Cav., Descr. Pl. 249. 1802.

Range: —Antilles; central Mexico to Bolivia (BE, CO, LP, PA, SC) and Brazil.

Ecology: —Very common; terrestrial in humid forests, often among rocks and on wet, shady cliffs, in drier habitats along streams; mostly below 1200 m but reaching 2100 m.

Notes: —The most common and most variable species of Tectaria in Bolivia; almost certainly several species are involved (H. Tuomisto, pers. comm.). However, the systematics of T. incisa and its allies (in Bolivia: T. jimenezii , T. pilosa , and T. poeppigii ) are complex, involving polyploidy and hybridization, and require detailed study throughout the geographical range of the species.

Individuals of Tectaria incisa bearing one or several proliferous buds adaxially on the blades at pinna bases have been recognized as f. vivipara (Jenm.) C.V.Morton (Tryon & Stolze 1991) . This form is uncommon in Bolivia (e.g., Fay & Fay 2799, UC, from BE), usually close to and often intermixed with individuals lacking buds. Jermy & Walker (1985) described the diploid species Tectaria vivipara Jermy & T.Walker from Trinidad as distinct from tetraploid T. incisa , but it is uncertain if these ploidy levels apply throughout the range of the forms, and therefore the applicability of this name to Bolivian specimens is uncertain. A form with proliferous buds, stalked pinnae, and lacking or reduced basiscopic lobes on the proximal pinnae has been called Tectaria andina , type from Ecuador, but we retain the name T. incisa f. vivipara for now.

Tectaria transiens (C.V.Morton) A.R.Sm. from Mexico to southern Peru may occur in Bolivia. It differs from T. incisa and T. pilosa by its serrately lobed pinnae, 2–3 basiscopic lobes on the basal pinnae, and broad (1–2.5 mm wide), ciliate rhizome scales.