Terpsichore stella (Copel.) Moguel & M.Kessler, 2009

Velázquez, Ana Laura Moguel & Kessler, Michael, 2009, Taxonomic notes on the fern species group around Terpsichore lanigera (Polypodiaceae), including the descriptions of three new species and one new variety, Phytotaxa 2, pp. 35-45 : 36

Terpsichore stella (Copel.) Moguel & M.Kessler , comb. nov.

Basionym:— Ctenopteris stella Copeland (1955 [1956]: 452).

Type:— PERU: Cuzco: Valley of Río Urubamba, Bues 32 (holotype, US).

Terpsichore stella is a common species that has mostly been identified as T. lanigera , from which it can be differentiated by lacking lime dots on the hydathodes and by the darker indument of the abaxial rhachis surfaces. Terpsichore stella ranges from Costa ica to Bolivia and is extremely plastic in its habit as well as indument. We recognise two distinct forms, one corresponding to the type of the species which we call Terpsichore stella var. stella , and the other which we here describe as a new variety.