Didymoglossum hildebrandtii (Kuhn) Ebihara & Dubuisson

Didymoglossum hildebrandtii (Kuhn) Ebihara & Dubuisson in Ebihara et al., Blumea 51: 236 (2006). –

Trichomanes hildebrandtii Kuhn, Von der Decken’s Reisen in Ost­Afrika in 1859 bis 1861 3(3) Botanik: 70 (1879). – Type: ‘Johanna Isl.’, s. loc., s.d., J.M. Hildebrandt 1856 (holo-: K000435634!; iso-: P00139629!).

Short description

Epiphytic; long-creeping filiform rhizomes, rootless and densely covered by dense black trichomes, bearing widely separated fronds; fronds sessile and peltate, up to 6 cm long, mostly round and entire, with false veins parallel to true veins and palmate venation; sori numerous, pantotactic, cylindrical with a truncated mouth.

Global distribution

Comoros, Madagascar.

Distribution in Comoros

Anjouan, Mayotte, Mohéli.

Additional specimens examined

COMOROS: ANJOUAN, s. loc., 1905, Lavanchie s.n. (P00139628). MAYOTTE, Massif de Mtsapéré, Maison de la Convalescence, 10 Nov. 2002, F.Rakotondrainibe et al. 6669 (P00311382). MOHÉLI, Kidogobassi, 2 Nov. 2008, M.Pignal et al. 3456 (P02439793); Au-dessus de Drondroni, 26 Mar. 2011, C.Loup et al. 590 (P02439783); Au-dessus de Drondroni, 27 Mar. 2011, E.Bidault et al. 81 (P02439772).

Note

Didymoglossum hildebrandtii is clearly distinct with round and sessile peltate fronds which seem tightly appressed against the substrate (Fig. 3C). These features, unique for the family in the region, are shared with the Pacific and Asiatic D. tahitense (Nadeaud) Ebihara & K.Iwats. to which it is evolutionary closely related (Ebihara et al. 2007).