Classification
Class
Polypodiopsida
Subclass
Polypodiidae
Order
Polypodiales Link
Family
Pteridaceae E.D.M.Kirchn.
Genus
Myriopteris Fée
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Myriopteris lendigera (Cav.) Fée., Mém. Foug., 5. Gen. Filic. 149 (1852) – as lentigera
Synonymy:
  • ≡ Pteris lendigera Cav., Descr. Pl. 1, 268 (1801)
  • ≡ Cheilanthes lendigera (Cav.) Sw., Syn. Fil. 128 (1806)
  • ≡ Hemionitis lendigera (Cav.) Christenh. in Christenhusz et al., Global Flora, GLOVAP Nomenclature 1, 4, 16 (2018)
Syntypes: Ecuador, Guaranda, Née s.n.; Mexico, Hidalgo, Ixmiquilpan, Née s.n., MA (see Mickel & Smith 2004).
Etymology:
From the Latin lens, lendis (nit) and -gerus (bearing), a reference to the appearance of the ultimate segments.
 Recognition

In New Zealand, Myriopteris lendigera has glossy, dark red-brown stipes, rachises and costae. The fronds are up to 260 mm long and 75 mm wide, with the stipe longer than the lamina. The laminae are 3-pinnate to 3-pinnate-pinnatifid, with the stipes, rachises, costae and abaxial surfaces covered in very long, pale orange hairs or hair-like scales. The tertiary pinnae are small, rounded segments about 1 mm long. The sori are formed at vein endings and are covered by the lamina margins, which are highly modified into rather broad, false indusia that almost cover the abaxial segment surfaces.

 Distribution

North Island: Volcanic Plateau.

Altitudinal range: c. 300 m.

Known from two localities near Rotorua.

Occurs naturally in the Neotropics from southern USA to Ecuador (Mickel & Smith 2004).

Myriopteris lendigera distribution map based on databased records at AK, CHR & WELT. Image: K.Boardman © Landcare Research 2020 CC BY 4.0
Myriopteris lendigera distribution map based on databased records at AK, CHR & WELT. Image: K.Boardman © Landcare Research 2020 CC BY 4.0
 Habitat

Recorded from a crevice in pumice rock on a north-facing slope.

 Biostatus
Exotic
 First Record

Heenan et al. (2004). Voucher AK 284224, 2003.

 Images
Myriopteris lendigera. Close up of AK 284224, showing red-brown rachis and costae covered in orange-brown hairs, and small, rounded, tertiary lamina segments. Image: Auckland Museum © Auckland Museum All rights reserved
Myriopteris lendigera. Close up of AK 284224, showing red-brown rachis and costae covered in orange-brown hairs, and small, rounded, tertiary lamina segments. Image: Auckland Museum © Auckland Museum All rights reserved
 Bibliography
Brownsey, P.J.; Perrie, L.R. 2021: Pteridaceae. In: Breitwieser, I. (ed.) Flora of New Zealand — Ferns and Lycophytes. Fascicle 30. Manaaki Whenua Press, Lincoln.
Cavanilles, A.J. 1801: Descripción de las plantas. Part 1. Madrid.
Christenhusz, M.J.M; Fay, M.F.; Byng, J.W. (ed.) 2018: Special Edition, GLOVAP Nomenclature Part 1. Vol. 4. Plant Gateway Ltd., Bradford, United Kingdom.
Fée, A.L.A. 1852: Mémoires sur les familles des fougères. 5. Genera Filicum. Baillière, Paris.
Heenan, P.B.; de Lange, P.J.; Cameron, E.K.; Ogle, C.C.; Champion, P.D. 2004: Checklist of dicotyledons, gymnosperms, and pteridophytes naturalised or casual in New Zealand: additional records 2001–2003. New Zealand Journal of Botany 42: 797–814.
Mickel, J.T.; Smith, A.R. 2004: The Pteridophytes of Mexico. Memoirs of the New York Botanical Garden 88: 1–1054.
Swartz, O.P. 1806: Synopsis Filicum, earum genera et species systematicae complectens. Kiel.