Cyathea dejecta (Baker) Christenh., 2009

Christenhusz, Maarten J. M., 2009, New combinations and an overview of Cyathea subg. Hymenophyllopsis (Cyatheaceae), Phytotaxa 1, pp. 37-42 : 39

Cyathea dejecta (Baker) Christenh. , comb. nov.

Hymenophyllum dejectum Baker (1886: 17 , t. 1610). Hymenophyllopsis dejecta (Baker) K.I. Goebel (1929: 3) . Asplenium dejectum (Baker) Pittier (1945: 46) . Type: GUYANA, Mount Roraima, Im Thurn 318 (lectotype designated here: K!, duplicate US).

Distribution: Venezuela (Amazonas, Bolívar), Guyana, Brazil (Roraima), lithophytic on sandstone crevices and bluffs, 2300–2800 m.

Characteristics: Cyathea dejecta has slightly toothed, 2–5 mm long, dull scales, distinguishing it from C. steyermarkii that has entire, 1.5–2 mm long scales. It is also similar to C. hymenophylloides but the leaves are larger and more robust than in that species.

Note: Lellinger (1984) discussed that Goebel (1929) did not make a new combination but described Hymenophyllopsis dejecta as a new species. He however proposes it as a new genus, and discusses Hymenophyllum dejectum in the protologue, stating that it is close if not the same species. I think it is therefore best treated as a combination based on Baker (1886).