Asplenium theciferum (Kunth) Mett., Ann. Sci. Nat. Bot.

Kessler, Michael & Smith, Alan R., 2018, Prodromus of a fern flora for Bolivia. XXIX. Aspleniaceae, Phytotaxa 344 (3), pp. 259-280 : 259-280

Asplenium theciferum (Kunth) Mett., Ann. Sci. Nat. Bot. , sér. 5, 2: 227. 1864.

= Loxoscaphe thecifera (Kunth) T.Moore, Index Filic. 302. 1861.

Range:— Hispaniola; mountains from southern Mexico to Bolivia (SC), Brazil; Africa, Madagascar, La Réunion.

Ecology:— Rare; epiphytic in semihumid forests, often on exposed branches; 1250 m (900–1900 m elsewhere).

Notes:— Because of the distinctive sori, in marginal cups or pouches (rounded at bases), this species is often placed in the genus Loxoscaphe , with four or five species, only one of which occurs in the Neotropics. See Moran & Smith (2001) for comments on the difference between African ( var. concinnum (Schrad.) Schelpe ) and neotropical plants. Chromosome counts indicate that this group may have a different base number than most of Asplenium , x = 35. Molecular studies have shown that Loxoscaphe nests within Asplenium ( Schneider et al. 2004) .