Class
Subclass
Order
Family
Genus
Classification
Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Blechnum punctulatum Sw., J. Bot. (Schrader) 1800(2): 74 (1801)
Synonymy:
- ≡ Lomaria punctulata (Sw.) Kunze, Linnaea 10: 507 (1836)
- ≡ Mesothema punctulatum (Sw.) C.Presl, Epimel. Bot. 113 (1851)
- ≡ Struthiopteris punctulata (Sw.) Trev., Atti Reale Ist. Veneto Sci. Lett. Arti III, 14: 570 (1869)
- ≡ Spicanta punctulata (Sw.) Kuntze, Revis. Gen. Pl. 2, 822 (1891)
Holotype: Cap. b. Spei [Cape of Good Hope], C.P. Thunberg, S P-2120 (!online)
Etymology:
Recognition
Blechnum punctulatum has an erect rhizome with dimorphic fronds up to 380 mm long and 70 mm wide. The sterile pinnae are narrowly triangular with acuminate apices, glabrous, up to 38 mm long and 6 mm wide, but expanded at the base. The proximal pinnae reduce abruptly to several pairs of tiny flanges. The fertile pinnae are of similar length but only 2–3 mm wide, sometimes with a narrow wing of green lamina tissue outside the two rows of sori and indusia either side of the costa.
Distribution
North Island: Auckland.
Altitudinal range: c. 20 m.
Collected from one site in Auckland City.
Occurs naturally in eastern and southern Africa and Madagascar.
Habitat
Recorded as a cultivation escape occurring sporadically on basalt retaining walls in Auckland City.
Biostatus
Exotic
First Record
de Lange et al. (2005, pp. 131–132 – as Blechnum nudum; see Heenan et al. 2008). Voucher AK 291065, 2005.
Bibliography
Brownsey, P.J.; Perrie, L.R. 2021: Blechnaceae. In: Breitwieser, I. (ed.) Flora of New Zealand — Ferns and Lycophytes. Fascicle 29. Manaaki Whenua Press, Lincoln.
de Lange, P.J.; de Lange, T.J.P.; de Lange, F.J.T. 2005: New exotic plant records, and range extensions for naturalised plants, in the northern North Island, New Zealand. Auckland Botanical Society Journal 60: 130–147.
Heenan, P.B.; de Lange, P.J.; Cameron, E.K.; Parris, B.S. 2008: Checklist of dicotyledons, gymnosperms, and pteridophytes naturalised or casual in New Zealand: additional records 2004–06. New Zealand Journal of Botany 46: 257–283.
Kuntze, C.E.O. 1891: Revisio Generum Plantarum. Vol. 2. Arthur Felix, Leipzig.
Kunze, G. 1836: Plantarum acotyledonearum Africae australis recensio nova. Linnaea 10: 480–570.
Presl, C.B. 1851: Epimeliae botanicae. Haase, Prague.
Swartz, O.P. 1801: Genera et species filicum ordine systematico redactarum. Journal für die Botanik (Schrader) 1800(2): 1–120.
Trevisan de Saint-Léon, V. 1869: Sopra el felci denominate Struthiopteris e delle loro piu’strette affini. Atti del Reale Istituto Veneto di Scienze, Lettere ed Arti, Ser. 3, 14: 553–572.
