Family

Polypodiaceae

Nomenclature

Drynaria propinqua (Wall. ex Mett.) J.Sm. ex Bedd., Ferns Brit. India: t. 160. 1866; Bedd., Handb. Ferns Brit. India: 339, f. 189. 1883; C.Chr., Contr. U.S. Natl. Herb. 26: 334. 1931; Tardieu & C.Chr., Fl. Indo-Chine 7(2): 521. 1941; Holttum, Dansk Bot. Ark. 20: 20. 1961; Tagawa, J. Jap. Bot. 38: 329.1963; Tagawa & K.Iwats., SouthE. Asian Stud. 5: 59. 1967; Tagawa & K.Iwats., Fl. Thailand 3: 547. 1989; Boonkerd & Pollawatn, Pterid. Thailand: 250, 269. 2000; Newman et al., Checkl. Vasc. Pl. Lao PDR: 29. 2007. – Polypodium propinquum Wall. ex Mett., Abh. Senck. Naturf. Ges. 2: 120, t. 3, f. 50. 1857. – Type: Wallich 293, Nepal (K-W, US).

Description

Rhizome long creeping, up to 1 cm diam., very densely scaly throughout; scales persistent, narrowing from round peltate base to long-tailed apex, about 8 by 1.5 mm, pale brown with dark centre, the margin bearing long white downy hairs. Nest-leaves sessile, ovate, about 20 cm in both length and width, deeply lobed more than half-way to midribs; lobes narrowly subtriangular, acute at apex, entire, up to 7 by 2.5 cm, small scales with downy hairs more or less dense on main axes. Foliage-leaves: stipes stramineous, up to 15 cm long, narrowly winged at least on the upper part; laminae oblong to oblong-lanceolate, up to 40 by 25 cm, deeply lobed almost to rachis, remaining wings of rachis less than 2 mm in breadth; lobes 8–12(–16) pairs, lanceolate, acute to acuminate at apex, slightly narrowing towards base, more or less ascending, up to 15 by 2.5 cm, entire; veins distinct on both surfaces, anastomosing, 2–4 rows of anastomosis between main veins, with included free veinlets; papyraceous, light green. Sori round, one row along each side and close to costa, one between adjacent main veins, a little raised on upper surface.

Distribution in Thailand

NORTHERN: Chiang Mai.

Distribution in Laos

Luang Phrabang, Xieng Khouang.

Wider Distribution

Himalayas, S China, Burma, Laos, N Vietnam.

Ecology

On mossy tree trunks in dense evergreen forests at 1200– 1700 m alt., locally abundant.

Proposed IUCN Conservation Assessment

Least Concern (LC). This species is widespread and not under any known threat.

Voucher specimens - Thailand

Middleton et al. 4992, Chiang Mai, Doi Chiang Dao Wildlife Sanctuary (E).