Pyrrosia
Distribution
Africa to Pacific Islands present, Asia-Tropical: Sumatera (Sumatera present), Paleotropic present, Pitcairn present
Paleotropic, Africa to Pacific Islands (Pitcairn). Throughout Malesia. Most diverse in Sumatra.
Taxonomy
Pyrrosia is here treated as including Drymoglossum, which has been kept separate by, e.g., Copeland (1947) and Holttum (1954). The Malesian species of Pyrrosia can be assigned to seven distinct groups (Hovenkamp 1986); the P. costata-group (P. stigmosa, P. princeps, P. splendens); the P. porosa-group (in Malesia only P. porosa); the P. lingua-group (P. abbreviata, P. christii, P. sphaerosticha); the P. albicans-group (P. kinabaluensis, P. nummularifolia, P. rasamalae, P. albicans, P. asterosora, P. distichocarpa); the P. angustata-group (P. angustata, P. samarensis, P. novo-guineae), the P. lanceolata-group (P. lanceolata, P. longifolia, P. foveolata, P. fallax), and the P. piloselloides group (P. piloselloides). Pyrrosia penangiana is an isolated species, without closely related species. This classification is based on shape and structure of the rhizome scales, structure of the indument, shape and structure of the lamina, shape and structure of the sori, and spore sculpture. Other classifications, based mainly on a single character complex (e.g., the traditional recognition of Drymoglossum based on frond dimorphy, or the elaborate classification by Shing based on details of indument) are not satisfactory.
Pyrrosia is a distinct genus. The ‘drymoglossoid’ species (those with highly dimorphic fronds and coenosori) have been separated as Drymoglossum, otherwise it has been used in the current circumscription by most 20th century authors. Uniting characters are primarily the peculiar stellate hairs, but the sclerenchyma sheath in the rhizome and absence of pinnate divisions of the fronds also contribute to the distinctness of the genus. Its closest relative is Platycerium, which shares these characters.
Pyrrosia is a distinct genus. The ‘drymoglossoid’ species (those with highly dimorphic fronds and coenosori) have been separated as Drymoglossum, otherwise it has been used in the current circumscription by most 20th century authors. Uniting characters are primarily the peculiar stellate hairs, but the sclerenchyma sheath in the rhizome and absence of pinnate divisions of the fronds also contribute to the distinctness of the genus. Its closest relative is Platycerium, which shares these characters.
Citation
Giesenh. 1901: Niphobolus
C. Chr. 1906: Index Filic. xlvi, 246
Desv. 1960: Fern Fl. Philipp. p 475
Holttum 1955 – In: Revis. Fl. Malaya. p 141
Mirb. 1803 – In: Hist. Nat. Vég. p 91
Hovenkamp 1986 – In: Leiden Bot. Ser.
Farwell 1931 – In: Amer. Midl. Nat. p 245
Copel. 1947: Gen. Fil. p 192
C. Presl 1929 – In: Dansk Bot. Ark. p 83
Maxon 1903 – In: Contr. U.S. Nat. Herb. p 486
Backer & Posth. 1939: Varenfl. Java. p 237
Kaulf. 1829: Fl. Javae Fil. p 48
Copel. 1960: Fern Fl. Philipp. p 469
Alderw. 1908: Malayan Ferns. p 678
C. Chr. 1906: Index Filic. p 197
Ravensberg & Hennipman 1986 – In: Leiden Bot. Ser. p 281
Ching 1935 – In: Bull. Chin. Bot. Soc. p 36
Blume 1828: Enum. Pl. Javae. p 102
Copel. 1947: Gen. Fil. p 194
Holttum 1955 – In: Revis. Fl. Malaya. p 149
Hennipman et al. 1990 – In: Kramer & Green, Fam. & Genera Vasc. Pl. 1. p 211