ABSTRACT
In the present communication, based on morphological characters, a new species of fern genus Microlepia C. Presl (Dennstaedtiaceae) is described from India. The described species is closely allied to Microlepia hispida C.Chr. from Vietnam, but differs in size and shape of lamina, stipe lamina ratio (stipe is shorter than lamina), basal pinnae and shape of pinnules, degree of hairiness, colour and thickness of hairs, and presence of dense thick hairs on upper surface.
Acknowledgements
The authors are grateful to the Director of the Botanical Survey of India, Kolkata and the Head of Office, BSI, Eastern Regional Centre, Shillong for encouragement. Thanks are due to Dr Ramesh Kumar Scientist-C.B.S.I., Arid Zone Regional Centre, Jodhpur and officials of the Forest Department of Mizoram for the support during explorations. Thanks are also due to Mr C.R. Fraser-Jenkins, Prof. Yue-Hong Yan of CAS, China, Prof. M. Kato and Mr Akiko Shimizu of TI Japan and the officials of BM, K, P, UC, PE, TI, G, B, H, C and E for providing the images of various species of Microlepia including types housed in respective herbaria. The authors would also like to acknowledge the learned editors of the journal for the improvement of the manuscript.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.