Compilation
Acrostichum dichotomum

Scales of the rhizome with a broad thick black shining central stripe and narrow light chestnut edges. Fertile and sterile fronds similar, after their death becoming dry and having the lamina reflexed downward owing to an abrupt bend in its basal part, and forming with the stipe a narrow V-shaped angle or even adherent to it. Fertile fronds (5–) 12–18(–26) cm long with stipe 3–5 times as long as the lamina, more scaly in the upper part than elsewhere. Lamina flabellate with edges forming an angle of 150–180°, or sometimes very broadly flabellate with edges forming an angle of up to 270°, cut into two symmetrical halves by a clearly evident median deep notch, and consisting of a 5–6 times dichotomous branch system. Branches of the first dichotomy equal (1.8 mm), forming an angle of about 90°; branches of the second dichotomy unequal, the inner (3.5 mm) longer than the outer (± 2 mm); the last dichotomy being in the upper half of the frond. Segments of the blade 32–48, linear, slightly and gradually broadening upwards, with apex divided into 2–6 hardened acute points. Basal part of the lamina and adjacent upper part of the stipe covered with short rounded pluricellular small hairs above and with abundant persistent scales beneath. Scales light fulvous sometimes with a short black stripe in the upper part, strongly falcate to tortuous, ovate-lanceolate, irregularly lobate to coarsely dentate at the bases, tapering upwards and ending in a long hair. Fig. 1/5–6.