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Blechnopsis orientalis (Linnaeus) C. Presl (1753) is a fern used both as food and medicine. It is found primarily in southern China and Southeast Asia, thriving in warm, humid shrublands or sparse forest. The total length of the chloroplast genome is 155,211 bp, including a large single-copy region (LSC, 81,877 bp), a small single-copy region (SSC, 21,500 bp), and two inverted repeat regions (IRs, 25,917 bp). The GC content is 41.3%. A total of 131 genes were annotated, including 88 protein-coding genes, eight rRNA genes, and 35 tRNA genes. The phylogenetic analysis using the maximum-likelihood method showed that B. orientalis and Oceaniopteris gibba were closely related. This study provides genomic resources for phylogenetic genetics and resource exploitation of B. orientalis.

Blechnopsis orientalis (Linnaeus) C. Presl (1753) is a fern used both as food and medicine. It is found primarily in southern China and Southeast Asia, thriving in warm, humid shrublands or sparse forest. The total length of the chloroplast genome is 155,211 bp, including a large single-copy region (LSC, 81,877 bp), a small single-copy region (SSC, 21,500 bp), and two inverted repeat regions (IRs, 25,917 bp). The GC content is 41.3%. A total of 131 genes were annotated, including 88 protein-coding genes, eight rRNA genes, and 35 tRNA genes. The phylogenetic analysis using the maximum-likelihood method showed that B. orientalis and Oceaniopteris gibba were closely related. This study provides genomic resources for phylogenetic genetics and resource exploitation of B. orientalis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spicantopsis hancockii (Blechnaceae) was once thought to be endemic to Taiwan, and later known to occur in the Tokara Islands in southern Japan. Because of its high morphological similarity to S. niponica endemic to Japan, the identification of the Tokara Archipelago populations has been controversial. MIG-seq analysis using 2324 SNPs revealed that S. niponica and the samples of S. hancockii from Taiwan formed two distinct clusters, while the population of S. hancockii in the Tokara Islands was included in the cluster of S. niponica. Micromorphological traits of sporangia observed in the Tokara populations coincide with those of S. niponica reported by the previous study. Therefore, it is appropriate to treat the Tokara populations of "S. hancockii" as the southernmost range of S. niponica, not as S. hancockii. As a result, S. hancockii is resurrected as an endemic species to Taiwan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Premise of research. From a purely palynological perspective, lowest Danian fern-dominated assemblages of the Williston Basin (North Dakota and southwestern Saskatchewan) and the Raton Basin (northeastern New Mexico and southeastern Colorado) appear indistinguishable, although this perspective has yet to be corroborated by macrofloral studies across this same region. No ferns have been collected from the lowest Danian barren series of the Raton Formation in more than a century, and this section remains sparsely sampled. Methodology. New collections of fossil ferns from the basal portion of the barren series or informal middle member of the Raton Formation, which directly overlies the K/Pg boundary, are compared with contemporaneous assemblages in other North American depositional basins. Pivotal results. Dennastra sorimarginata McIver and Basinger (Dennstaedtiaceae Lotsy) and Woodwardia arctica (Heer) Brown (Blechnaceae Newman) that produce Cyathidites diaphana (Wilson and Webster) Nichols and JL Brown and Laevigatosporites haardtii (Potonié and Venitz) Thomson and Pflug, respectively, are recognized as characteristic ferns in the basal portion of the barren series, in addition to Osmunda macrophylla Penhallow. Conclusions. In accordance with palynological perspectives, lowest Danian fern macrofossil assemblages from the Raton Basin support the concept of a geographically widespread "postdisaster" pteridophyte flora represented predominantly by Dennstaedtiaceae and Blechnaceae, with other minor components of more northern assemblages. The enigmatic hypothesis of a landscape dominated by anemiaceous or schizaeaceous ferns is rejected on the basis of this new evidence, which suggests that Cyathidites diaphana –producing dennstaedtiaceous ferns were the K/Pg boundary "disaster taxon" and among those that flourished in the Raton Basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT We describe a new species of Blechnum from Mato Grosso, Brazil: Blechnum rivulorum sp. nov. This new species was discovered as a result of visits to the herbaria BM, K, P, PR, and S, as part of the Reflora Project, by the first author. We also indicate its position in a new Blechnum phylogeny. Additionally, we confirm the occurrence of Blechnum meridense Klotzsch in Brazil and provide an updated key to all species of Blechnum in the country.

Telmatoblechnum, with the species Telmatoblechnum serrulatum (Blechnaceae), is recorded for the first time for the Uruguayan flora. The species, so far known from southern Brazil and Northeastern Argentina as its southernmost distribution limit, was collected for the first time in crevices between rocks of basalt and sandstone in a small hill in Uruguay (Rivera). Its morphological characteristics and the novel habitat for the species are included; photographs, a map with the location of the new record, as well as a key to the genera of Blechnaceae in Uruguay are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blechnopsis orientalis (Linnaeus) C. Presl (1753) is a fern used both as food and medicine. It is found primarily in southern China and Southeast Asia, thriving in warm, humid shrublands or sparse forest. The total length of the chloroplast genome is 155,211 bp, including a large single-copy region (LSC, 81,877 bp), a small single-copy region (SSC, 21,500 bp), and two inverted repeat regions (IRs, 25,917 bp). The GC content is 41.3%. A total of 131 genes were annotated, including 88 protein-coding genes, eight rRNA genes, and 35 tRNA genes. The phylogenetic analysis using the maximum-likelihood method showed that B. orientalis and Oceaniopteris gibba were closely related. This study provides genomic resources for phylogenetic genetics and resource exploitation of B. orientalis ., Competing Interests: No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s)., (© 2024 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.)

We reviewed the fern family Blechnaceae in Santa Catarina, southern Brazil, in order to update the work done by Sehnem in Flora Ilustrada Catarinense. Ten genera and 21 species in the family have been recognized. In this work, descriptions and identification keys for the species are presented, as well as comments and a comparative list of Sehnem's nomenclature and the current state-of-theart in Blechnaceae nomenclature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cranfillia opaca is a fern species present in New Caledonia, for which a great variation in morphology is reported. Some other species such as Blechnum deplanchei have been proposed, but those were later synonymized with C. opaca. In this work, we have studied this taxon at both the morphological and the anatomical level, as well as its ecology and geographical distribution. We found differences between C. opaca s.s. and B. deplanchei in the morphology of the sterile and fertile fronds, in several morphoanatomical features such as trichome shape, length, and distribution, and length and/or shape of different structures of sporangia and spores. The distribution of both taxa was also different, but they are sympatric at some localities. The differences identified in this study support the recognition of both taxa, and the combination of Cranfillia deplanchei (Baker) Vázquez Ferreira & Gabriel y Galán, which we propose here. A new taxonomic description is provided for both species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parablechnum is the most diverse genus of Blechnaceae (ca. 65 species), with a pantropical distribution and two centers of diversity, in America and in the Austro-Pacific region. The species are dimorphic, with often erect rhizomes and rhizomatic scales, 1-pinnate fronds, with truncate blade at base, conform apex and stalked pinnae. This group presents many taxonomic problems, needing more detailed studies to resolve these conflicts of separation between species. This work deals with the American complex of P. cordatum in which the species P. cordatum, P. schiedeanum, P. chilense, P. falciforme and Blechnum varians are included. A biometric analysis of sporangia and spores, important taxonomic structures in the distinction of ferns, has been carried out. The data were subjected to an ANOVA and a discriminant analysis. In addition, the spores were observed under a scanning electron microscope to study their ornamentation. Of the characters we have studied thickness of the arcus, number of cells in the arcus, number of cells in the hypostome and major equatorial diameter of the spore have statistically supported taxonomic significance and are therefore useful for species separation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study on the diversity and distribution of terrestrial and epiphytic fern in Kuantan, Pahang was conducted from January to November 2017. Fourteen species of both terrestrial and epiphytic ferns, respectively have been collected and examined from five districts of Kuantan namely Kuala Kuantan, Ulu Kuantan, Penor, Ulu Lepar and Sungai Karang. This study was carried out to examine and evaluate the distribution and to assess the abudance of epiphytic fern in Kuantan, Pahang. The materials obtained for this study were collected from sampling sites and prepared as herbarium voucher. Morphological characteristics were studied, observed and annotated. Based on this study, the terrestrial and epiphytic fern families namely Nephrolepidaceae, Gleicheniaceae, Lygodiaceae, Lindsaeceae, Woodiaceae and Thelypteridaceae, Polypodiaceae, Pteridaceae, Davalliaceae, Aspleniaceae, Blechnaceae and Cyatheaceae were recorded. It mostly can be found in the rainforest area. An updated checklist of terrestrial and epiphytic ferns has been prepared for comparison and future reference.

Brainea insignis (Hooker) J. Smith, a member of Blechnaceae, is a rare and endangered species in tropical Asia. Here we assembled and annotated the complete chloroplast (cp) genome. It is 149,730 bp in length and encodes 88 protein-coding genes, 36 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes and eight ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes. This chloroplast genome sequencing offers a useful resource for future conservation genetics and phylogenetic studies.

The spores of 11 species of Lomariocycas that grow in America were studied: Lomariocycas aurata , L. columbiensis , L. cycadifolia , L. insularis , L. magellanica , L. moritziana , L. rufa, L. schomburgkii, L. shaferi , L. underwoodiana and L. werckleana. The study was performed with light microscope (LM), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The spores are monolete of 61–100 μm in equatorial diameter and 40–79 μm in polar diameter. The exospore is 1.5–4.8 μm thick and in section is two-layered. The perispore is folded, two types of folds were observed in the different species analyzed and also they could be fused in different ways. In section, it is 0.5–13.8 μm thick and is two-layered. The outer layer is single stratified and the inner layer is three-stratified. The spores of some species are illustrated and described for the first time. Moreover, the sporoderm ultrastructure of L. underwodiana was not studied until now. The differences found in perispore morphology and ultrastructure could be valuable characters for systematic and phylogenetic purposes. • The spores of Lomariocycas from America are folded. • Two types of folds are defined: (1) narrow and high, (2) wide and robust. • The two types of folds could be partially or totally fused. • The spores of some species are illustrated and described for the first time. • In the species analyzed the sporoderm ultrastructure is similar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The species included in the Blechnum vulcanicum group are all characterised by the presence of unique, minute, surface outgrowths on various aerial parts of a plant; these have previously in error been described as short hairs. However, these so-called 'hairs' are distinctive and consist of about 4 to 7 cells in a linear arrangement. The species of Blechnum that have this feature are here recognised as a new Section, Blechnum sect. Pilosa T.C.Chambers. The species Blechnum vulcanicum (Blume) Kuhn has been widely cited in taxonomic, floristic and ecological studies for Malesia, Australasia and Oceania, but shows much variation across this wide geographic range. The present study rejects this broad view and recognises a total of 13 species in this group. This includes three new species (Blechnum aequabile T.C.Chambers, B. humile T.C.Chambers and B. megavulcanicum T.C.Chambers), and three new combinations (Blechnum deltoides (Colenso) T.C.Chambers, B. feani (E.D.Br.) T.C.Chambers, and B. tovii (E.D.Br.) T.C.Chambers). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Premise of research. In the recent past, nine to 12 genera of Blechnaceae have been generally recognized. Nowadays, 24 are accepted on the basis of recent molecular phylogenetic studies, and these genera are classified into three subfamilies. The purpose of this article is to optimize spore characteristics of the exine and perine on a phylogenetic tree, infer their evolution within the Blechnaceae, and determine whether the characters define any of the genera or subfamilies.Methodology. With an SEM, we imaged spores of four outgroup species and 88 species of Blechnaceae. On the basis of the images, we recognized and scored four characters: perine overall architecture (three states), perine microstructure (10 states), number of perine layers (three states), and exine surface (three states). Using maximum parsimony, we optimized these characters on a phylogenetic tree created from accessions in GenBank for the species we imaged.Pivotal results. Ancestral for the Blechnaceae is a smooth exine, three-layered perine, loose perine structure (i.e., the perine is not adnate to the exine), and the presence of broadly rounded perine folds. The exine evolved from the smooth (ancestral) state to low verrucate in Lomariocycas and from smooth to contoured (with tubercles or short ridges aligned nearly parallel to each other) in subfam. Stenochlaenoideae. Also in subfam. Stenochlaenoideae, the perine was reduced to only one layer, and spherical deposits were present on the outer surface of the perine. These spherical deposits were found in no other genus in the family. A contoured exine also evolved in Diploblechnum. Parablechnum has the unique perine character of tortuous filaments. The perine of Lomaridium is distinctive by the combination of narrow folds creating wide intramural areas and the presence of granulate deposits. Sadleria was the only genus in the family that has a fibrillose or foliaceous perine. The spores of Austroblechnum were distinctive by a nonfolded perine that was smooth or with granulate deposits. Throughout the Blechnaceae, when the middle layer of the perine is present, it contains many small lacunae imparting a spongy appearance, thus distinguishing the layer from the inner and outer layers.Conclusions. Characters of the exine and perine vary within the Blechnaceae and are useful in defining clades within the family. The most distinctive spores belong to subfam. Stenochlaenoideae, which have a tuberculate or short-ridged exine, a perine reduced to a single thin layer appressed to the exine, and the presence of spherical deposits. Many genera of Blechnaceae are characterized by a combination of perine characters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stenochlaena palustris is an edible fern, belonging to the Blechnaceae family and is called kelakai in South Kalimantan, Indonesia. The effects of fractions of S. palustris stems and isolated constituents on termite mortality and paper disc consumption by Coptotermes curvignathus have been studied. Treatment of the ethyl acetate (EtOAc) fraction on paper discs greatly induced death of C. curvignathus within 6 days. Our phytochemical investigation of S. palustris stems led to the isolation of major constituents and 20-hydroxyecdysone exerted the highest termiticidal activity, followed by stenopalustroside A and ajugasterone C. Moreover, the structureactivity relationships (SAR) of synthetic derivatives from 20-hydroxyecdysone and ajugasterone C suggested that a 2,3-diol has considerable effect on their antitermite properties against C. curvignathus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blechnaceae is a worldwide family of leptosporangiate ferns composed of about 250 species. Most of the species in the family were recognised under a single large genus Blechnum until recently, when a new classification proposed the recognition of 24 genera. Given this new systematics of Blechnaceae, which largely resolves the genus-level relationships in the family, there is a need for phylogenetic research to investigate relationships within the majority of the newly proposed genera. In this paper, we unravel the phylogenetic relationships and the historical biogeography of the species of Lomaridium, a genus including most of the hemiepiphytic species in the Blechnaceae. Our sampling includes 11 species, which represents 85% of the diversity in the genus and which covers the entire geographic distribution of the group. We constructed two datasets with three plastid markers: one for phylogenetic analyses (maximum likelihood, Bayesian inference) with four outgroups from phylogenetically close genera (Brainea, Lomaria, Sadleria, Woodwardi); and a second for molecular dating and historical biogeographic analyses that included a larger set of outgroups so that we could accurately reconstruct ancestral events at the base of Lomaridium, under different models. We are able to recognize four highly supported lineages: L. contiguum and the L. schottii, L. attenuatum, and L. fragile clades. Our results date the origin of Lomaridium at some point during the Paleocene epoch, and the most likely geographic area for its origin is Australia plus tropical Central and South America. Several dispersal events are inferred, all of which are most likely long-distance dispersal events. From Australia, we infer a first dispersal event that brought the ancestor of the extant species L. contiguum to New Caledonia. In Central and South America, Lomaridium continued to diversify and colonized additional areas, including the Caribbean (L. binervatum), some Pacific islands (L. schottii), and Africa and Madagascar. While our goal in the current study was not to estimate the biogeographic or diversification history of all Blechnaceae, our analyses do suggest that the early history of the family was complex biogeographically, with extensive long-distance dispersal events. Lomaridium exemplifies this high dispersal capacity, as a genus with only a modest number of species that have reached far-flung regions of the globe via numerous long-distance dispersal events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the Eocene, a mixed paleoflora containing austral-gondwanan and neotropical elements was established in northern Patagonia. Fossils preserving these assemblages have been recovered from the Huitrera Formation, at well-known localities as Laguna del Hunco, Pichileufu, Confluencia, Pampa de Jones and Arroyo Chacay, and show a diverse assemblage of angiosperms and conifers. The pteridophytic element, while present, is less known for these fossil floras. In this contribution, seven fern taxa based on fertile and sterile leaf compressions are described from the Huitrera Formation in the Arroyo Chacay locality. Several fern families are identified, as Osmundaceae (cf. Osmunda and Todea amissa M. Carvalho), a putative Thyrsopteridaceae ("Dicksonia" patagonica Berry), Blechnaceae (cf. Parablechnum), and Aspleniaceae (cf. Asplenium). Additionally, a taxon of unknown affinities, referred to the fossil genus Cladophlebis , is also recorded. These elements add to the total known diversity of ferns in the locality, previously represented by the Eupolypod Tapelrayen helgae M.A.Machado, E.I.Vera, Passalia et Ponce and Eupolypod incertae sedis, and the thelypteridaceous Cyclosorus sp. cf. C. interruptus. It is worth mentioning that two of the recorded taxa, T. amissa and " Dicksonia" patagonica , have been previously identified in the Huitrera Formation at other localities (Laguna del Hunco and Pichileufu, respectively), while the remaining identified taxa are new for the unit. Using the nearest living relative approach to infer ecological requirements of the recovered fossil ferns and evaluate climatic conditions supports a temperate to warm and humid regime in northern Patagonia during the Eocene, as previously postulated. • Ferns preserved as sterile and fertile compressions are described. • Fossils were collected from the Eocene Huitrera Fm (north-western Patagonia). • Osmundaceae, Thyrsopteridaceae, Blechnaceae and Aspleniaceae are recognized. • The second record for Todea amissa M. Carvalho is described. • Climatic conditions are proposed based on ecological requirements of nearest living taxa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blechnum spicant var. fallax Lange is a fern taxon endemic to Iceland where it occurs in the vicinity of hot springs on geothermally heated soils. The taxon was first described by a Danish botanist Johan Martin Christian Lange in 1880 on the basis of plant material collected by Christian Grønlund in Iceland. Because its holotype was not designated in the protologue, we examined the extant original material including illustrations from Flora Danica and a single plant on sheet C10021769 (deposited in C) that was the basis for the respective plate. We select this specimen as the lectotype of Blechnum spicant var. fallax.

Introduction: Stenochlaena palustris (Burm.f.) Bedd. is an edible fern from Blechnaceae family, native to India through Southeast Asia to Polynesia and Australia. The study was conducted to evaluate the cytotoxic effect and antioxidant activity of fractions obtained from Stenochlaena palustris leaf extracts. Methods: Stenochlaena palustris (Burm.f.) Bedd. was tested for its antioxidant activity using DPPH assay and in vitro cytotoxic effect against HeLa cancer cell line using MTT assay. Major fractions were obtained from ethanol and ethyl acetate leaves extract of Stenochlaena palustris (Burm.f.) Bedd. through gravity column chromatography and the secondary metabolites were screened using qualitative phytochemical analysis. Results: In DPPH assay, the highest radical scavenging activity was exhibited by fraction 11 of ethanol extract and fraction 4 of ethyl acetate extract at 98.47±0.002% (ED50=0.120 mg/mL), and 81.38±0.018% (ED50=0.650 mg/mL), respectively. Meanwhile, ascorbic acid and kaempferol exhibited radical scavenging of 80.95±0.002% (ED50=0.014 mg/mL) and 98.67±0.006% (ED50=0.011 mg/mL). As for MTT assay, the percentages of cell viability of both cell lines decreased as the concentration increased. Fraction 7 of ethanol extract and fraction 1 of ethyl acetate extract exhibited the lowest IC50 value of 4.58 µg/mL and 8.60 µg/ml, respectively. Doxorubicin hydrochloride showed lowest IC50 value of 2.21 µg/mL against HeLa cells. Conclusion: The fractions isolated from ethanol and ethyl acetate leaves extract of Stenochlaena palustris (Burm.f.) Bedd. exhibited higher cytotoxic effect against HeLa cells, and higher radical scavenging activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blechnaceae, a leptosporangiate fern family nested within eupolypods II, comprises 200-250 species, typically divided among seven to nine genera. Despite recent molecular studies of the family, it still lacks a modern taxonomic update based on broad sampling from the two centres of diversity-the Neotropics and Australasia/Oceania. To test generic circumscriptions, we have assembled the broadest dataset thus far, from three plastid regions ( rbcL, rps4- trnS, trnL -trnF) and with taxonomic sampling focused on both major diversity centres. Our sampling includes 156 taxa and 178 newly generated sequences. We recognize three subfamilies, each corresponding to a highly supported clade across all analyses (maximum parsimony, Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood). The genera Salpichlaena, Stenochlaena and Telmatoblechnum are monophyletic, while Blechnum is polyphyletic, because Brainea, Doodia and Sadleria all nest within it. We outline and explain a plan to resolve the polyphyly of Blechnum by recognizing additional, monophyletic, segregate genera. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Blechnum orientale Linn. (Blechnaceae), a fern, is traditionally used in the treatment of various ailments, such as skin diseases, stomach pain, urinary bladder complaints, and also as a female contraceptive. Previously, we reported a strong radical scavenging activity, antibacterial activity and cytotoxicity against HT29 colon cancer cells by aqueous extract of B. orientale. Objective: In this study, we attempted to isolate and identify the active compound from the aqueous extract of B. orientale. Materials and Methods: Aqueous extract of B. orientale was subjected to repeated MCI gel chromatography, Sephadex-LH-20, Chromatorex C18 and semi-preparative high performance liquid chromatography and was characterized using nuclear magnetic resonance and electrospray ionization mass-spectrometry spectroscopic methods. Antioxidant activity was determined using 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging assay. Antibacterial assays were conducted using disc diffusion whereas the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration were determined using the broth microdilution assay. Cytotoxicity was assessed using thiazolylblue tetrazoliumbromide. Results: A polymeric proanthocyanidin consisting of 2-12 epicatechin extension units and epigallocathecin terminal units linked at C4-C8 was elucidated. Bioactivity studies showed strong radical scavenging activity (IC50 = 5.6 ± 0.1 μg/mL), antibacterial activity (MIC = 31.3-62.5 μg/mL) against five gram-positive bacteria and selective cytotoxicity against HT29 colon cancer cells (IC50 = 7.0 ± 0.3 μg/mL). Conclusion: According to our results, the proanthocyanidin of B. orientale demonstrated its potential as a natural source of antioxidant with antibacterial and anti-cancer properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the Brainea insignis (Hook.) J. Sm., a plant species in the genus Brainea, family of Blechnaceae. It discusses the characteristics of the plant which is a monotypic genus of false tree ferns. The plant is a native to Southeast Asia. According to a study, B. insignis is one of the rare ferns of India.

Specimens of B. tabulare and B. magellanicum from their whole geographical area were studied, and taxa were treated as different species. The following characters were analyzed: rhizomes, rhizomatic scales, stipes, division of dimorphic laminae, outline, texture, size, margins, indument, venation, epidermal patterns, stomata (size and density), mesophyll of pinnae in transversal section, mucilaginiferous unicellular glands of axes and laminae, and spores. Habit of plants, type of rhizome, rhizomatic scales, mucilage glands, and type of ornamentation of the perispore are characters shared by the two species, while the other traits vary at the specific level, allowing them to be identified as two separate taxa. Blechnum tabulare is distributed in the tropics and subtropics of South America, África, and Islands of the Atlantic and Indic Oceans, while B. magellanicum is a subantarctic, more restricted species, that grows in humid areas of Argentina and Chile, South America. New descriptions of both species are given, along with comments on their affinities with other arborescent species of the genus.

This study of the Aspleniaceae and Blechnaceae of the Caxiuanã National Forest (FLONA), is part of a series on the floristic, taxonomic and ecological studies of the Lycophyte and Monilophyte flora of the ecosystems of the Brazilian state of Pará. The FLONA is situated in the municipalities of Melgaço and Portel (1º37’S / 51º19’W and 1º54’S / 51º58’W and limits south of 2º15’S / 51º15’W and 2º15’S / 51º56’W) in the micro-region of Furos, in the bay of Caxiuanã, between the Xingu a Tocantins rivers, and occupies about 200.000 ha. The FLONA includes several vegetation types, including non-flooded (terra firme forest with islands of savanna-like and secondary forest) and flooded forest (várzea and igapó), well as abundant aquatic vegetation, the terra firme forest being the predominant type. Taxonomic identification was made following theusual methods and using the specialist literature. Representative specimens were deposited in the “João Murça Pires” (MG) herbarium of the Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi and duplicates sent to other Brazilian herbaria. A key to the families of Lycophyta and Monilophyta (Pteridophyta) which occur in the area and a taxonomic treatment of the Aspleniaceae and Blechnaceae which occur in the FLONA are presented, with descriptions of the species and genera, illustrations, key to species and genera together with commentaries about the taxa. In the study area the family Aspleniaceae is represented by Asplenium angustum Sw., A. juglandifolium Lam. and A. serratum L. and the family Blechnaceae by Blechnum serrulatumRich. and Salpichlaena hookeriana (Kuntze) Alston.

Estão em desenvolvimento estudos florísticos, taxonômicos e ecológicos sobre as monilófitas ocorrentes nos vários ecossistemas paraenses. Considerando a grande carência de trabalhos científicos sobre a flora de pteridófitas da Amazônia, este trabalho foi desenvolvido como uma contribuição ao conhecimento de duas famílias ocorrentes na área selecionada para estudo, localizada nos municípios de Melgaço e Portel. A Floresta Nacional (FLONA) está posicionada geograficamente a 1º37’S / 51º19’W e 1º54’S / 51º58’W e limites sul de 2º15’S / 51º15’W e 2º15’S / 51º56’W, na microrregião dos Furos, nas proximidades da baía de Caxiuanã, entre os rios Xingu e Tocantins, com cerca de 200.000 ha. A FLONA é composta por florestas não inundáveis (floresta de terra firme, manchas de vegetação savanóide e capoeira) e florestas inundáveis (várzea e igapó), com predomínio da floresta de terra firme, além de abundante vegetação aquática. Para a identificação taxonômica dos espécimes coletados, foram utilizadas técnicas usuais e literaturas especializadas. Exsicatas representativas foram depositadas no Herbário “João Murça Pires” (MG), do Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi, com duplicatas doadas para vários herbários do país. O estudo apresenta uma chave para identificação das famílias de Lycophyta e Monilophyta (Pteridophyta) ocorrentes na área e o tratamento taxonômico das famílias Aspleniaceae e Blechnaceae ocorrentes na FLONA de Caxiuanã. São apresentadas descrições das espécies e dos gêneros, ilustrações, chave para as espécies e gêneros, bem como comentários sobre todos os táxons. Na área de estudos, a família Aspleniaceae está representada por Asplenium angustum Sw., A. juglandifolium Lam. e A. serratum L., e a família Blechnaceae por Blechnum serrulatum Rich. e Salpichlaena hookeriana (Kuntze) Alston.

The nomenclatural history of five Linnaean fern names based on Osbeck's collections from China is discussed. The type status of Osbeck's specimens is discussed and types are selected for the names Blechnum orientale (Blechnaceae), Adiantum flabellulatum (Pteridaceae), Polypodium barometz ( Cibotium barometz, Dicksoniaceae), Polypodium varium ( Dryopteris varia, Dryopteridaceae) and Trichomanes chinense ( Odontosoria chinensis, Lindsaeaceae). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A critical checklist of the Mesoamerican and South American species and hybrids of Blechnum is presented. For each entry the place of original publication, types, authors, and pertinent synonyms are included. Most of the synonyms are cited with their nomenclatural types. Information on geographical distribution and altitudinal range, ecology, as well as morphological and nomenclatural comments pertinent to the treated taxa are also included. Hybrids that have been cytologically and nomeclaturally studied are treated independently, while not formally described hybrids are cited under their putative parents.

Stenochlaena palustris fronds are popular as a vegetable in Southeast Asia. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the anticholinesterase properties and phytochemical profiles of the young and mature fronds of this plant. Both types of fronds were found to have selective inhibitory effect against butyrylcholinesterase compared with acetylcholinesterase. However, different sets of compounds were responsible for their activity. In young fronds, an antibutyrylcholinesterase effect was observed in the hexane extract, which was comprised of a variety of aliphatic hydrocarbons, fatty acids, and phytosterols. In the mature fronds, inhibitory activity was observed in the methanol extract, which contained a series of kaempferol glycosides. Our results provided novel information concerning the ability of S. palustris to inhibit cholinesterase and its phytochemical profile. Further research to investigate the potential use of this plant against Alzheimer's disease is warranted, however, young and mature fronds should be distinguished due to their phytochemical differences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stenochlaena riauensis, a new fern species from Riau, Indonesia is described and illustrated. This species can be distinguished from its most closely related species S. palustris by the position of fertile and sterile pinnae. In the new species, both fertile and sterile pinnae are located on the same frond, the lower part of lamina consisted of sterile pinnae that gradually narrower towards apex forming linear fertile pinnae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Se presenta un manuscrito inédito del naturalista Gualterio Looser (1886-1982), sobre los helechos medicinales de Chile y sus nombres vulgares. Se agregan nombres científicos actuales, se detallan las citas bibliográficas y se actualiza la ortografía. El documento original se encuentra archivado en la biblioteca del Departamento de Botánica, Universidad de Concepción.This paper presents a previously unpublished manuscript by the naturalist Gualterio Looser (1886-1982), on Chilean medicinal ferns and their popular names. Current scientific names are added, bibliographic references are given in full, and spelling modernized. The original document is archived in the library of the Department of Botany, Universidad de Concepción.