Entry From
Flora of Tropical East Africa, page 1, (2005) Author: B. S. Parris
Names
Zygophlebia devoluta (Baker) Parris [family GRAMMITIDACEAE], in K.B. 57, 2: 432 (2002). Type: Madagascar, Pool s.n. (K!, holo.)
Polypodium devolutum Baker [family POLYPODIACEAE], in J.L.S. 15: 419 (1876)
Ctenopteris devoluta (Baker) Tardieu [family ], in Notul. Syst. (Paris) 15(4): 445 (1959)
Xiphopteris villosissima [family GRAMMITIDACEAE], [sensu Schelpe in Contr. Bolus Herb. 1: 8 (1969) pro parte, non (Hook.) Alston]
Xiphopteris flabelliformis [family GRAMMITIDACEAE], [sensu Schippers in Fern Gaz. 14(5): 192 (1993), non (Poir) Schelpe]
Distribution
Tanzania Lushoto District W Usambaras, Shagayu Forest Reserve, 20 Oct. 1986, Schippers T 1583!;Tanzania Morogoro District Uluguru Mts, road from Morningside to Bondwa summit, 3 April 1974, Faden 74/392!;Tanzania Rungwe District Kyimbila, Lukeke, 23 Sept. 1911, Stolz 883!
Notes
A small sterile plant from the West Usambaras (NW on crest of Kisimba above Mazumbai, April 1926, Peter 16491 (B)) probably belongs here. It has identical rhizome scales, but rather sparse laminar indumentum which may reflect the aged nature of the fronds. Zygophlebia devoluta is the East African and Madagascan vicariant of Z. villosissima, which differs in broader rachis wing and shorter proportionately broader pinnae. Stolz 883 is more densely hairy than the other two Tanzanian collections, while the type from Madagascar has slightly shorter lamina hairs than Tanzanian material. The spores of Faden 74/392 (K) are very sparse and largely aborted; the young sporangia appear to be empty in K and MO collections. Likewise the spores of Stolz 883 (B, K) are largely misshapen.