My camera battery died when I was taking photos of this species, which is a shame, because it is pretty interesting. It belongs to a small group that was studied by Weatherby (1931) — it also includes Asplenium gilliesii and Asplenium lorentzii. Weatherby noted that Asplenium peruvianum likely belongs to this group, but was uncertain of its identity. They all have long petioles, green leaf axes, proliferous buds near the base of the lamina, and black spores.  It appears that they are all restricted to high elevations in the Andes. The group definitely is in need of further study!

 

 

 

Collection Data (W. Testo 1409)

Classification & Common Names

General Collection Data
  • Date: 15-VIII-2017
  • Primary Collector & #: W. Testo 1409
  • Collection Party: David Sanín, William Bravo Pedraza, Lia Esperanza Alarcón, Gabriel Peñaloza.
  • Det. History: Weston Testo, March 2021
  • Habitat: Elfin woodland
  • Habit: Terrestrial
  • Specimen Locations: BRIT, HUA, UC, VT
Additional Comments

Terrestrial in protected area of elfin forest at limit of paramo.

Collection Location