Cyrtomium
Cyrtomium C. Presl
Cyrtomium is a taxonomically difficult genus in which species delimitation is often controversial. Christensen (1930) only recognised nine species whereas Shing (1965) accepted 59 species! Currently, Cyrtomium is estimated to accommodate ca. 35 species, mostly native to eastern Asia. Even the generic circumscription of Cyrtomium is debated. Inclusion within Polystichum is sometimes suggested (see for instance Mabberley 2008) but this is not confirmed by molecular data (Lu & al. 2007). At least three species of Cyrtomium are cultivated in Europe. In addition to the two species treated below, Page & Bennell (1986) also cite Cyrtomium caryotideum (Wallich) C. Presl.
- Fronds leathery-coriaceous, very glossy when fresh. Margins of the fronds entire, with a thick, white cartilagineous border. Median pinnae broad (L/w usually less than 2,5), very oblique at base and often rather abruptly acuminate at apex. Number of pinnae (in mature fronds) usually less than 20 === Cyrtomium falcatum
- Fronds herbaceous, dull when fresh. Margins of the fronds serrate at apex, without or with a narrow cartilagineous border. Median pinnae narrower (L/w more than 3), less oblique at base and long acuminate at apex. Number of pinnae (in mature fronds) often more than 20 === Cyrtomium fortunei
Literature
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Mei-Lu J. & Cheng X. (2003) Distributional study of the genus Cyrtomium C. Presl (Dryopteridaceae). In: Chandra S. & Srivastava M. (eds.), Pteridology in the New Millenium. Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht-Boston-London: 133-141.
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