Pteris vittata

Linnaeus

Sp. Pl. 2: 1074. 1753, not Schkuhr. 1809.

Common names: Ladder brake Chinese brake Chinese ladder brake
IntroducedIllustrated
Synonyms: Pycnodoria vittata (Linnaeus) Small
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 2.

Stems stout, short-creeping, densely scaly; scales pale brown. Leaves clustered, 1–10 dm. Petiole green to pale brown, 1–30 cm, densely scaly; scales dense proximally, extending to and along rachis. Blade oblanceolate, 1-pinnate, (15–)25–50(–80) × (6–)13–25 cm; rachis not winged. Pinnae numerous, separated proximally, closely spaced to barely overlapping distally, not remaining green through winter, not decurrent on rachis, not articulate to rachis, linear-lanceolate to linear-attenuate, simple, 2–18 cm × 4–9 mm; base asymmetrically cordate to widened or truncate; margins serrulate, prominently so near apex; apex acuminate, attenuate, or acute; scales of rachis grading into uniseriate hairs on abaxial costae, or hairs absent on abaxial costae; proximal pinnae not divided or lobed. Veins free, forked. Sori narrow, blade tissue exposed abaxially. 2n = 116.


Habitat: Roadsides and other disturbed habitats, coastal plain
Elevation: 0–50 m

Distribution

V2 557-distribution-map.gif

Introduced; Ala., Calif., D.C., Fla., Ga., La., Miss., S.C., West Indies, South America, native to Asia.

Discussion

Pteris vittata has escaped from cultivation. It is found on almost any calcareous substrate, such as old masonry, sidewalks, building crevices, and nearly every habitat in southern Florida with exposed limestone, notably pinelands. It is scattered throughout Florida and is sporadic, becoming less frequent to rare northward in the coastal plain.

Pteris vittata varies exceedingly in size, density of scales on the rachis, presence or absence of hairs on the abaxial costae, and overall color and aspect of the leaf. As a result, it may occasionally bear a resemblance to forms of P. × delchampsii W. H. Wagner & Nauman, the hybrid between P. bahamensis and P. vittata.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.
... more about "Pteris vittata"
Clifton E. Nauman +
Linnaeus +
Ladder brake +, Chinese brake +  and Chinese ladder brake +
Ala. +, Calif. +, D.C. +, Fla. +, Ga. +, La. +, Miss. +, S.C. +, West Indies +, South America +  and native to Asia. +
0–50 m +
Roadsides and other disturbed habitats, coastal plain +
Introduced +  and Illustrated +
Pycnodoria vittata +
Pteris vittata +
species +