Asplenium loxoscaphoides Baker (1887: 354)

Fischer, Eberhard & Lobin, Wolfram, 2023, Synoptic Revision of Aspleniaceae (Asplenium, Hymenasplenium) of Rwanda, Phytotaxa 608 (1), pp. 1-65 : 19-21

Asplenium loxoscaphoides Baker (1887: 354) ( Fig. 6 ).

Holotype: — TANZANIA. Kilimanjaro: Kilimanjaro Expedition, H.H.Johnston 43, 1884 (K000424002 [digital image!]).

Specimens seen:— Western Province: Nyungwe NP (Rugege Wald), Rukarara, häufiger Epiphyt, c. 1900 m, August 1907, J.Mildbraed 943 (B 20 0017486!).

First recorded for Rwanda: — Brause & Hieronymus (1910: 12).

Habitat: —Montane forest, elev. c. 1900 m.

Distribution in Rwanda:—Western Province: Nyungwe NP.

General distribution: —D.R. Congo, Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi.

Note: — Brause & Hieronymus (1910: 12) cite under Asplenium loxoscaphoides three collections: Mildbraed 943 (not 973 as indicated in the publication), Mildbraed 1399 and Mildbraed 2543. While the first (Mildbraed 943) indeed belong to this species, the two other collections, both from Eastern Congo, are A. sertularioides (see note under this species).

The specimens from Burundi in the Herbarium Meise, determined as Asplenium loxoscaphoides (Bugarama, 26 February 1971, M.Reekmans 165, BR0000008733825; Rwegura, prov. Ngori, February 1968, E.Bonte 2, BR0000008733818; Bubanza, Rwegura, 14 October 1973, M.Reekmans 2843, BR0000008735829; Mukarumbi, 29 May 1926, W.Robyns 2382, BR0000008736154), all belong to Asplenium centrafricanum .

Figures

FIGURE 6. Asplenium loxoscaphoides.—A–D. Detail of frond.—E. Habit.—F. Apex of frond.—G. Rhizome. Photographs: D. Schellenberg Costa. Kilimanjaro. Scale bars: A–C, G. 5 cm; D. 2 cm; E, F. 10 cm. Reproduced with permission from African plants – A Photo Guide www.africanplants.senckenberg.de (D. Schellenberg Costa).