Megalastrum peruvianum R.C.Moran, J.Prado & Sundue, Amer. Fern J.

Kessler, Michael, Moran, Robbin C., Mickel, John T., Matos, Fernando B. & Smith, Alan R., 2018, Prodromus of a fern flora for Bolivia. XXXV. Dryopteridaceae, Phytotaxa 353 (1), pp. 448-450 : 448-450

Megalastrum peruvianum R.C.Moran, J.Prado & Sundue, Amer. Fern J. 104(4): 181, f. 31A–H, 32C, 33C. 2014.

Range: —Southern Peru, Bolivia (CO, LP).

Ecology: —Rare (two specimens cited by Moran et al. 2014b); terrestrial in evergreen forests; 1800–2400 m.

Notes: —Previously, specimens of this were determined as M. aff. subincisum , which does not occur in Bolivia according to Moran et al. (2014b). The key presented by Moran et al. (2014a) is unworkable for this species, because the costae abaxially are densely pubescent, the hairs ca. 0.2–0.3 mm long and tortuous, both on the type, two other Peruvian specimens seen, and one of the two Bolivian specimens cited (Kessler 7033, UC). Moreover, there are numerous adpressed hairs between the veins adaxially, some to 0.5 mm long, others shorter. A feature of this species is the numerous, broadly based, lanceolate, shiny scales to 3 mm long along the costae and costules.

Megalastrum praetermissum R.C.Moran, J.Prado & Sundue, Amer. Fern J. 104(4): 189, f. 13A, 32D, 35F–M. 2014. Range:— Colombia to Bolivia (BE, CO, LP, SC). Ecology: —Locally common; terrestrial in humid forests; 300–1300(–2500?) m. Notes: — Núñez 760 (UC) was considered by Moran et al. (2014b) as “atypical by pinna rachises pubescent abaxially and higher elevation”. It may represent a different taxon but more collections are needed to confirm this.