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Shoestring Fern
Vittaria lineata
(vit-TAIR-i-a lin-e-AY-ta)
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General:
This native epiphytic
(air plant) fern is also known Old man’s beard and Florida Ribbon
fern. This native epiphytic (air plant) fern is also known Old
man’s beard and Florida Ribbon fern
Fruiting Parts:
The spores occur in a
line along the turned under margin of each frond. In Dade and
Collier counties Shoestring Fern may be confused with Narrow Strap Fern
Campyloneurum angustifolium, the spores of the latter form several
distinct sori along the midrib of the frond
Leaves/Stems:
The dark green fronds
hang in dense drooping clumps on Cabbage Palm trunks. The hard,
leathery, rush-like fronds are like flattened ribbons about 3mm. (1/8
in.) wide and 15-45cm. (6-18 in.) long.
Distribution:
Fairly common in wet hammocks of central and south Florida. Found throughout the West Indies, to Peru, and east to Asia.
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