Cystopteris fragilis (L.) Bernh.

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Synonyms: Polypodium fragile L.
Common names:
Frequency:
Status: Native
Description:
Rhizome shortly creeping or ± erect, c. 2 mm in diameter; rhizome scales lanceolate in outline, 3 x 0.6 mm, reddish to dark brown, glabrous, sometimes with marginal glands. Fronds monomorphic, ± tufted or closely spaced, membranous. Stipe usually shorter than the lamina, 3–22 cm long, straw-coloured to dark brown, with lanceolate scales at the base but glabrous at maturity. Lamina narrowly elliptic, lanceolate to ovate-lanceolate, 5–37 x 1.5–15 cm, 1–3-pinnate and 3(–4)-pinnatifid, basal pinnae not or slightly reduced; pinnae in 4–20 pairs, ovate to ovate-lanceolate, 2-8 x 1–4 cm, basal secondary pinnae shortly petiolate, remainder adnate; pinnules pinnatifid into obtuse to acute, oblong lobes; texture very thin and membranous; both surfaces glabrous; marginscrenate or with acute teeth; veins directed into teeth or sinuses; rhachis strawcoloured, glabrous. Sori round, discreet to overlapping at maturity, 0.7-1 mm in diameter; indusia bladder-like, ovate to oblong or cup-shaped, dentate to lacerate, often disappearing with age.
Type location:
Notes:
Derivation of specific name: fragilis: fragile, delicate; referring to the fronds.
Habitat: Among grass and herbs in fairly open places; shady and moist positions on rocks and cliffs; in the spray of waterfalls; in cool, montane wet forest community.
Altitude range: (metres)
Worldwide distribution: Throughout the Northern Hemisphere and in tropical Africa, South Africa and Madagascar.
Botanical divisions:
Growth form(s): Terrestrial.
Endemic status:
Red data list status:
Insects associated with this species:
Spot characters: Display spot characters for this species
Literature:

Other sources of information about Cystopteris fragilis:

External websites:

African Plants: A Photo Guide (Senckenberg): Cystopteris fragilis
African Plant Database: Cystopteris fragilis
BHL (Biodiversity Heritage Library): Cystopteris fragilis
EOL (Encyclopedia of Life): Cystopteris fragilis
GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility): Cystopteris fragilis
Google: Web - Images - Scholar
iNaturalist: Cystopteris fragilis
IPNI (International Plant Names Index): Cystopteris fragilis
JSTOR Plant Science: Cystopteris fragilis
Mansfeld World Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Crops: Cystopteris fragilis
Plants of the World Online: Cystopteris fragilis
Tropicos: Cystopteris fragilis
Wikipedia: Cystopteris fragilis


Copyright: The DRC flora team, 2024-26

The DRC flora team (2026). Flora of the Democratic Republic of the Congo: Species information: Cystopteris fragilis.
https://www.drcongoflora.com/speciesdata/species.php?species_id=260860, retrieved 21 May 2026

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