Fwd: Pteris cretica?/ABDEC22

[Ashwini Bhatia]

FYI

Begin forwarded message:

From: Chris Fraser-Jenkins <chriso...@yahoo.co.uk>

Subject: Re: Fwd: Pteris cretica?/ABDEC22

Date: 10 December 2014 11:03:44 am IST

To: Ashwini Bhatia <ash...@ashwinibhatia.com>

Reply-To: Chris Fraser-Jenkins <chriso...@yahoo.co.uk>

Hello Ashwini,

        Yes, this is P. cretica - which has two slightly different and cytologically different subspecies, recognisable from the teeth on the sterile fronds.  My general impression is that this might perhaps be subsp. laeta, the triploid, which would be interesting as subsp. cretica (diploid) is supposed to be more common in the west.  But I'm not very confident in this case, as some parts show the more regular teeth of subsp. cretica.  If only one of Dr. Khullar's students at Panjab Univ. could get a chromosome count of this plant (unfortunately they don't do mititoic counts from root-tips), it would be helpful to me to adjust taxonomic concepts of the frond-morphology of the two subspecies.

      The wavy edges are like subsp. laeta - but on second thoughts I think those marginal teeth are too regular, so perhaps subsp. cretica is more likely after all!  Difficult!  If I had it in hand I might be able to get a better impression.  Both subspecies are common.

     Cheers,

            Chris F.-J.

---

From: Ashwini Bhatia <ash...@ashwinibhatia.com>
To: Chris Fraser-Jenkins <chriso...@yahoo.co.uk>
Sent: Tuesday, 9 December 2014, 21:32
Subject: Fwd: Pteris cretica?/ABDEC22

Begin forwarded message:

From: Ashwini Bhatia <ash...@ashwinibhatia.com>

Subject: Pteris cretica?/ABDEC22

Date: 9 December 2014 5:43:17 pm IST

To: efloraofindia <indian...@googlegroups.com>

This simple and common fern grows in clusters. Stipes are dark at base and lighter green above. They are grooved on upper surface.

I am not sure if it is Pteris cretica.

Mcleodganj, Dharamshala, HP

07-08 December 2014

Thanks.

Ashwini

Most have three pair of simple pinnae with the bottom pair extra-winged. The longest pinna is at the apex. The edges are sharply serrated and parallel/forked veins are clearly defined around a protruding costa on underside.

[Ashwini Bhatia]

Thank you Dr Chris. Is there anything I can do in the absence of a chromosome count to get a clearer picture?

Regards,

Ashwini

On 10-Dec-2014, at 11:03 am, Chris Fraser-Jenkins <chriso...@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:

Hello Ashwini,

        Yes, this is P. cretica - which has two slightly different and cytologically different subspecies, recognisable from the teeth on the sterile fronds.  My general impression is that this might perhaps be subsp. laeta, the triploid, which would be interesting as subsp. cretica (diploid) is supposed to be more common in the west.  But I'm not very confident in this case, as some parts show the more regular teeth of subsp. cretica.  If only one of Dr. Khullar's students at Panjab Univ. could get a chromosome count of this plant (unfortunately they don't do mititoic counts from root-tips), it would be helpful to me to adjust taxonomic concepts of the frond-morphology of the two subspecies.

      The wavy edges are like subsp. laeta - but on second thoughts I think those marginal teeth are too regular, so perhaps subsp. cretica is more likely after all!  Difficult!  If I had it in hand I might be able to get a better impression.  Both subspecies are common.

     Cheers,

            Chris F.-J.

---

From: Ashwini Bhatia <ash...@ashwinibhatia.com>
To: Chris Fraser-Jenkins <chriso...@yahoo.co.uk>
Sent: Tuesday, 9 December 2014, 21:32
Subject: Fwd: Pteris cretica?/ABDEC22

Begin forwarded message:

From: Ashwini Bhatia <ash...@ashwinibhatia.com>

Subject: Pteris cretica?/ABDEC22

Date: 9 December 2014 5:43:17 pm IST

To: efloraofindia <indian...@googlegroups.com>

This simple and common fern grows in clusters. Stipes are dark at base and lighter green above. They are grooved on upper surface.

I am not sure if it is Pteris cretica.

Mcleodganj, Dharamshala, HP

07-08 December 2014

Thanks.

Ashwini

<IMG_1348_09Dec14.jpg><IMG_1487_09Dec14.jpg><IMG_1491_09Dec14.jpg>

Most have three pair of simple pinnae with the bottom pair extra-winged. The longest pinna is at the apex. The edges are sharply serrated and parallel/forked veins are clearly defined around a protruding costa on underside.

<IMG_1474_09Dec14.jpg><IMG_1488_09Dec14.jpg>

<IMG_1482_09Dec14.jpg>

<IMG_1491_09Dec14.jpg><IMG_1474_09Dec14.jpg><IMG_1348_09Dec14.jpg><IMG_1487_09Dec14.jpg><IMG_1488_09Dec14.jpg><IMG_1482_09Dec14.jpg>