Family

Polypodiaceae

Nomenclature

Lepisorus bicolor (Takeda) Ching, Bull. Fan Mem. Inst. Biol. 4: 66. 1933; Tagawa & K.Iwats., Fl. Thailand 3: 510, f. 51.7. 1989; Boonkerd & Pollawatn, Pterid. Thailand: 273. 2000. – Polypodium excavatum var. bicolor Takeda, Notes Roy. Bot. Gard. Edinburgh 8: 279. 1915. – Pleopeltis bicolor (Takeda) Sledge, Bull. Brit. Mus. (Nat. Hist.) Bot. 2: 138. 1960; Tagawa & K.Iwats. Tagawa & K.Iwats., Acta Phytotax. Geobot. 23: 48. 1968.

Polypodium excavatum Bory ex Willd., Sp. Pl. 5: 158. 1810; C.Chr., Contr.U.S. Nat. Herb. 26: 334. 1931.

Description

Rhizome creeping, bearing sparsely spaced fronds, glaucous on surface, densely scaly; scales ovate with long attenuate apex, bi-coloured with dark brown central portion and paler margin, up to 3 by 1 mm, minutely toothed at margin. Stipes indistinct, winged nearly to the base, stramineous, scaly at base. Laminae linear-lanceolate, gradually narrowing towards both ends, broadest usually at middle portion, up to 32 by 3.5 cm; midrib raised on both surfaces; papyraceous; veins forming fine areoles with included veinlets. Sori medial or close to midrib, round, up to 3 mm diam., olive-yellow to pale brown. Spores monolete .

Distribution in Thailand

NORTHERN: Chiang Mai; SOUTH-EASTERN: Chanthaburi.

Wider Distribution

Himalayas and SW China.

Ecology

On mossy tree trunks at ridge in evergreen forests, not so abundant at high altitudes in the North.

Proposed IUCN Conservation Assessment

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

Voucher specimens - Thailand

Middleton et al. 4887, Chiang Mai, Doi Inthanon National Park (E); Suksathan 1088, Chanthaburi (QBG).