| Abstract: | eterachopsis was proposed by the senior author as an independent genus of
the family Aspleniaceae in 1940 with 2 species. Since then much study on its morphology, anatomy, gametophyte and palynology has been carried out by Nayar, Bir, Chandra & Nayar and Chang et al., and they are of the opinion that the genus like Ceterach,
is a comparatively primitive element in the family Aspleniaceae. The queer zigzag patern of cutting of lanceolate fronds appears extraordinary in the family Aspleniaceae,
and also suggests its antiquity in evolution. So far only 3 species (C. dalhousiae, C.
paucivenosa and C. magnifica) are recognized, the former from W. Himalayas, also
known from Africa, while the latter two from W. S. China (Yunnan). However, in
the past forty years the Chinese botanists have discovered 2 more species as new in N.
W. Yunnan, thus bringing the total known species of the genus up to 5. The present
paper is a brief summary on the genus Ceterachopsis, which will be published in detail
in the Flora Sinica vol. 4.
Pteridologists are also divided in their views regarding the generic status of Ceterachopsis with 5 well-defined species in Yunnan and the East Himalayas. We prefer
to mintain it as a genus separate from Asplenium on account of its distinct morphological features. It is to be hoped that more species may come to light in the mountainsin N. W. Yunnan through further exploration now under way. |
