Frequently merged with Pleopeltis e.g. by Copeland (1947) and Pichi Sermolli (1977) but differing in the receptacular appendages, leaf-indumentum, rhizome-scales etc. although it must be admitted these characters seem rather feeble.Since this account was first written in 1991, M. Zink has revised the African species and recognizes 9 species, of which 6 are recorded from the limits of F.T.E.A. (key on pp. 34–35 of his thesis). I have been unable to key out satisfactorily many of the East African specimens and have decided to continue to maintain a very variable L. excavatus. Zink records L. rotundus, L. bampsii, L. phlebodes (= L. corradii ) and L. vesiculari-paleaceus from the Flora area. The stipitation and length and shape of the apex of the fronds, the shape of the costal and laminal scales, shape and colour of the rhizome scales are the main key characters and collectors should the variability of these in populations they find.