Joseph M. Beitel

Generic Classification of Modern North American Lycopodiaceae

Generic classification of North American Lycopodiaceae is analyzed in terms of the general factors that govern the recognition of the rank of genus, the character states that determine affinities, the hypothetical common ancestral groundplan, a tree based on these data, and a translation of this information into a classification scheme. The genera segregated here are based primarily on numerous characters of anatomy, chromosomes, spores, and gametophytes. Those groups that are recognized as genera have many distinguishing features, strong gaps separating them from other groups, monophylesis, uniquely derived states, inability to hybridize, and a level of segregation consistent and comparable with generic division in other pteridophytes (...)

Complex Venation Patterns in the Leaves of Selaginella: Megaphyll-Like Leaves in Lycophytes

Venation patterns of the leaves of two lycophytes, Selagiella adunca and Selaginella schaffneri, do not fit the definition of microphylls as having a single, unbranched vein. Although S. adunca has a simple pattern, S. schaffneri has a complexity matching that of many megaphylls, with numerous branching veins. The veins of S. schaffneri undergo an average of 13 branchings (range, 8 to 21), and reticulation between veins is frequent. The discovery of this radical departure from the familiar microphylls of lycophytes indicates that complex venation patterns in leaves do not necessarily arise from fusion of whole branches. The microphyll may not be as structurally stable as formerly believed.

Pacific Firmoss (Huperzia miyoshiana) (Lycopodiaceae) in Eastern North America at Gros Morne National Park, Newfoundland

The Pacific Firmoss (Huperzia miyoshiana (Makino) Ching) is an amphi-Pacific element of the Huperzia selago complex (Huperzia selago (L.) Bernh. ssp. miyoshiana (Makino) Calder & Taylor (Beitel, 1986)). It grows on exposed, rocky subalpine slopes with a cool, humid, high precipitation maritime climate (Calder & Taylor, 1968). It is distributed along the coast of eastern Asia northward from Japan and across the Aleutians into southeastern Alaska; from there it ranges south along the coast to Washington state (Fig. 1). An exception to this coastal distribution is the isolated population in the Selkirk Mountains of eastern British Columbia which have a wet, maritimelike climate.

Notes on XPleopodium and Pleopeltis in Tropical America

Interpretation of the polypodioid ferns has been a classic problem for pteridologists. The groupings are, with some exceptions, fairly clear, but whether they should be treated as subgenera of Polypodium or as distinct genera is a matter of considerable disagreement. There seems to be growing acceptance of their recognition as distinct genera (Smith 1981, 1985; Tryon & Tryon, 1982; Lellinger, 1985; Mickel & Beitel, in press), although some authors continue to recognize Polypodium in a broad sense (Proctor, 1977, 1985; Stolze, 1981). Some of the splinter genera in America (e.g., Campyloneurum, Niphidium) stand well apart from Polypodium s.s., but others are apparently very closely allied to Polypodium. This is especially so in regard to Pleopeltis, some members of which hybridize with species of Polypodium s.s. The best known example of this is Polypodium x leucosporum (=Polypodium lanceolatum x P. thyssanolepis), which was pointed out by Vareschi (1969) and described in detail by Wagner and Wagner (1975), who treated it and its parents within Polypodium. Recently, Anthony and Schelpe (1985) described a similar case in southern Africa, in which Pleopeltis macrocarpa (Bory ex Willd.) Kaulf. (=Polypodium lanceolatum) crosses with Polypodium polypodioides var. ecklonii (Kunze) Schelpe. The authors gave a hybrid intergeneric name to their hybrid species, x Pleopodium simianum Anthony & Schelpe. In our studies on the ferns of Oaxaca, Mexico (in press), we have seen specimens from various parts of Mexico that involve several members of these two genera. Most of the hybrids have binomials under Polypodium. The purpose of this paper is to make several new combinations under x Pleopodium and Pleopeltis, and to clarify the putative parentage of the hybrids.