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Vittaria lineata

(L.) Sm.

Appalachian Gametophyte

G4Apparently Secure Found in 1 roadless area NatureServe Explorer →
G4Apparently SecureGlobal Rank
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.136080
Element CodePPVIT04030
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
KingdomPlantae
PhylumFilicinophyta
ClassFilicopsida
OrderFilicales
FamilyPteridaceae
GenusVittaria
Other Common Names
Dixie Shoestring Fern (EN) shoestring fern (EN)
Concept Reference
Kartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. 2nd edition. 2 vols. Timber Press, Portland, OR.
Conservation Status
Review Date1984-04-16
Change Date1984-04-16
Range Extent>2,500,000 square km (greater than 1,000,000 square miles)
Rank Reasons
It is widespread in the American continents.
Range Extent Comments
Florida, Georgia, U.S.A.; Mexico; West Indies; Central America; South America. In the U.S., Vittaria lineata is known outside of Florida only in Camden County, in southeastern Georgia (FNAEC, 1993).
Ecology & Habitat

Diagnostic Characteristics

Vittaria lineata is the only species with known sporophyte generation in North America (FNAEC, 1993).

Habitat

This species is found in moist woods and especially along streams at elevations of 0-100 m, most commonly on trunks of palms (Sabal palmetto) (FNAEC, 1993).

Ecology

Gametophytes commonly form the dominant cover on moist logs and tree trunks, especiallY the bases of Sabal Palmetto palms, withing the range of the sporophyte. Such populations usually contain numerous small, sexually produced sporophytes (FNAEC, 1993).
Other Nations (1)
United StatesN3
ProvinceRankNative
GeorgiaS1Yes
FloridaS4Yes
Plant Characteristics
Economic Value (Genus)No
Roadless Areas (1)
Florida (1)
AreaForestAcres
Alexander Springs CreekOcala National Forest2,954
References (6)
  1. Farrar, D.R. 1978. Problems in the identity and origin of the Appalachian Vittaria gametophyte, a sporophyteless fern of the eastern United states. Amer. J. Bot. 65(1):1-12.
  2. Farrar, D.R., and J.T. Mickel. 1991. Vittaria appalachiana: a name for the "Appalachian Gametophyte". American Fern J. 81(3): 69-75.
  3. Flora of North America Editorial Committee (FNA). 1993a. Flora of North America north of Mexico. Vol. 2. Pteridophytes and gymnosperms. Oxford Univ. Press, New York. xvi + 475 pp.
  4. Flora of North America Editorial Committee (FNA). 1993b. Flora of North America north of Mexico. Vol. 1. Introduction. Oxford Univ. Press, New York. xxi + 372 pp.
  5. Kartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. 2nd edition. 2 vols. Timber Press, Portland, OR.
  6. Radford, A.E., H.E. Ahles, and C.R. Bell. 1968. Manual of the vascular flora of the Carolinas. Univ. North Carolina Press, Chapel Hill, NC. 1183 pp.