Dryopteris manniana (Hook.) Christensen (1905: 276)

Fischer, Eberhard & Lobin, Wolfram, 2023, Synoptic Revision of the exindusiate species of Dryopteris (Dryopteridaceae) from Central Africa (Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Burundi) with description of Dryopteris schizopaleata sp. nov. from Rwanda, Phytotaxa 587 (2), pp. 136-148 : 142

Dryopteris manniana (Hook.) Christensen (1905: 276) ( Figs. 5–6 ).

Aspidium mannianum Hook. ( Hooker 1863: 253)

Type :— EQUATORIAL GUINEA. Bioko: “Fernando Po, on the peak, 2000 ft, 1860”, G. Mann 351 (holotype K000675774 , digital image!) .

Specimens seen:—D. R. CONGO. Ituri Distr, Mongbwalu Mine Site , Crack Site Pt 082 to pt 083, 25 October 2010, Q . Luke 14598 ( BR0000017859837 ) . RWANDA. Western Province: Nyungwe National Park, Territoire de Shangugu (= Rusizi), Forêt de Montagne , 14 February 1985, G . Michel 5133 ( BR0000017859936 ); Nyungwe National Park, Cyamudongo Forest , forest floor along stream, 1941 m, 2°32`26.89`` S, 28°59`20.46`` E, December 2021, E . Fischer & B . Dumbo s.n. ( KOBL) . Southern Province: Nyungwe National Park, Préfecture de Gikongoro, Commune Kivu , Savane de Rubyiro-Mubuga , dans la vallée de la Tsava, 17 August 1999, C. E. N . Ewango 2200 ( BR0000017859943 ) . BURUNDI. Bururi Province: Nella foresta riparia umida della vallata del torrente Siguvyaye vicino al ponte sul torrente, 1700 m, 18 December 1966, R. E. G . Pichi Sermolli 6974 ( FI067885 digital image) .

First recorded for Central Africa:— Pichi Sermolli (1985: 163).

Distribution in Central Africa:—D.R. Congo (Ituri Distr.), Rwanda (Nyungwe NP), Burundi (Bururi).

Distribution in Africa:—Disjunct distribution, occurring in Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, Cameroon, Bioko, S„o Tomé, Equatorial Guinea, D.R. Congo, Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Madagascar. Roux (2012) does not list the species for D.R. Congo. As all specimens listed by Mangambu Mokoso et al. (2013) are wrongly identified (see note below), the specimen Luke 14598 is probably the first record for this country.

Habitat:—Lower montane rainforest, elev. 1190–2140 m.

Note:— Dryopteris manniana is easily recognized by the scaly proliferous buds borne adaxially on the rachises, mostly near the lamina apices, the denticulate scales, and the exindusiate sori ( Roux 2012).

The following specimens from D.R. Congo at BR were originally identified as Dryopteris manniana , but they have well developed indusia and lack gemmae: Kisantu, Kisungu, Callens 2385, (BR0000017859820!); Parc National de Kahuzi Biéga, Mangambu Mokoso 3149, (BR0000017859912!); ibid. Mangambu Mokoso 3021 (BR0000017859851!, BR0000017859868!); ibid. Mangambu Mokoso 3025 (BR0000017859875!); ibid. Mangambu Mokoso 2756 (BR0000005279920!); ibid. Mangambu Mokoso 3124 (BR0000017859899!, BR0000017859882!); ibid. Mangambu Mokoso 2754 (BR0000005277506!); ibid. Mangambu Mokoso 3149 (BR0000017859905!); ibid. Mangambu Mokoso 2456 (BR0000017859844!); ibid. Mangambu Mokoso 2749 (BR0000005277308!). They all represent taxa of the Dryopteris pentheri -group sensu Roux (2009) and will be dealt with in a separate paper. Therefore, the new record of D. manniana for the D.R. Congo ( Mangambu Mokoso et al. 2013) is most probably erroneous.

A specimen lacking indusia, but also gemmae, has been collected in Haut-Katanga:PN Kundelungu, Nkonko-chutes Kaloba (pied), 1e halte: rivière Kibila, 19 May 1985, Bodenghien, Goetghebeur. & Malaisse 982 (BR0000017859929!). It cannot be identified due to the scarcity of the material.

Figures

FIGURE 5. Dryopteris manniana—A–D. Fronds.—A, C. Frond showing gemma (arrow). Photographs: E.Fischer & B.Dumbo, Cyamudongo. Scale bars: A–D: 5 cm.

FIGURE 6. Dryopteris manniana—A, B. Fronds.—C. Rhizome with base of stipes showing scales.—D. Pinnules.—E. Young plant developed from an apical pinna. Photographs: E.Fischer & B.Dumbo, Cyamudongo. Scale bars: A–C. 5 cm; D. 2 cm; E. 1 cm.