Blechnum

Smith, Alan R. & Kessler, Michael, 2018, Prodromus of a fern flora for Bolivia. XXXIII. Blechnaceae, Phytotaxa 334 (2), pp. 99-117 : 102

Blechnum L., Sp. Pl. 2: 1077. 1753.

= Blechnum L. sect. Blechnum of authors

Blechnum (sensu stricto) is characterized by monomorphic to slightly dimorphic leaves, entire pinna margins, and stoloniferous rhizomes ( Rolleri et al. 2012). It contains about 25 species in the Neotropics and southern Africa, of which 13 are here recognized for Bolivia. Putative hybrids, i.e., infrequent plants with intermediate morphology, are particularly common in this group. This genus is in need of monographic study and the species delimitations used here are preliminary. The constituent species are common in mostly low to mid-elevation forests.

Nearly all species thus far counted are based on x = 31, which appears to be a unique, or nearly unique, number in the family. Several tetraploids are known, e.g., B. appendiculatum , B. asplenioides , and B. occidentale , all occurring in Bolivia.