Actinostachysminuta, a new species of grass fern from Mindanao, Philippines

Victor B Amoroso; Fulgent P Coritico; Peter W Fritsch

doi:10.3897/phytokeys.151.53100

Actinostachysminuta, a new species of grass fern from Mindanao, Philippines

PhytoKeys. 2020 Jun 12:151:59-66. doi: 10.3897/phytokeys.151.53100. eCollection 2020.

Authors

Victor B Amoroso^{1

2}, Fulgent P Coritico^{1

2}, Peter W Fritsch³

Affiliations

¹ Center for Biodiversity Research and Extension in Mindanao (CEBREM), Central Mindanao University, Musuan, Bukidnon 8710, Philippines.
² Department of Biology, College of Arts and Sciences, Central Mindanao University, Musuan, Bukidnon 8710, Philippines.
³ Botanical Research Institute of Texas, 1700 University Drive, Fort Worth, Texas 76107-3400, USA.

Abstract

Actinostachysminuta Amoroso & Coritico (Schizaeaceae), from Mindanao, Philippines, is described herein as a new species. This species is distinguished from all other species of Actinostachys (grass ferns) by its notably short and narrow fronds, distinct triangular stipe, and bifid apex of the sorophore lamina with profuse white long hairs. This species is distinct from the other known Philippine species of Actinostachys by its diminutive epiphytic habit and a habitat restricted to the trunks of the tree fern Sphaeropterispolypoda (Baker) R.M.Tryon. A taxonomic key to the species of Philippine Schizaeaceae that incorporates the new species is provided.

Keywords: Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary; Schizaeaceae; ferns; lowland tropical rainforest.

Victor B. Amoroso, Fulgent P. Coritico, Peter W. Fritsch.