On the Genus Ceterachopsis (J. Sm.) Ching

Ching Ren-Chang, Wu Shiew-Hung

(Institute of Botany, Academia Sinica, Beijing)
(South China Institute of Botany, Academia Sinica, Guang-zhou)

Received:1900-01-01 Revised:1900-01-01 Online:1984-10-18 Published:1984-10-18
Contact: Ching Ren-Chang

Abstract:

eterachopsis was proposed by the senior author as an independent genus of

the family Aspleniaceae in 1940 with 2 species. Since then much study on its morpho-

logy, anatomy, gametophyte and palynology has been carried out by Nayar, Bir, Chan-

dra & Nayar and Chang et al., and they are of the opinion that the genus like Ceterach,

is a comparatively primitive element in the family Aspleniaceae. The queer zigzag pa-

tern of cutting of lanceolate fronds appears extraordinary in the family Aspleniaceae,

and also suggests its antiquity in evolution. So far only 3 species (C. dalhousiae, C.

paucivenosa and C. magnifica) are recognized, the former from W. Himalayas, also

known from Africa, while the latter two from W. S. China (Yunnan). However, in

the past forty years the Chinese botanists have discovered 2 more species as new in N.

W. Yunnan, thus bringing the total known species of the genus up to 5. The present

paper is a brief summary on the genus Ceterachopsis, which will be published in detail

in the Flora Sinica vol. 4.

Pteridologists are also divided in their views regarding the generic status of Cete-

rachopsis with 5 well-defined species in Yunnan and the East Himalayas. We prefer

to mintain it as a genus separate from Asplenium on account of its distinct morpholo-

gical features. It is to be hoped that more species may come to light in the mountains

in N. W. Yunnan through further exploration now under way.

Key words: Ceterachopsis, C.dalhousiae, C.paucivenosa, C.magnifica, C.latibasis, C.qiujiangensis

Ching Ren-Chang, Wu Shiew-Hung. On the Genus Ceterachopsis (J. Sm.) Ching[J]. .

Knowledge