Microlepia speluncae (L.) Moore

speluncae: from spelunca, a cave, referring to the sporangia sheltered in the cup-shaped indusium or less likely to the deeply shaded habitat of this fern.

Rhizome widely creeping, 5-10 mm diameter; rhizome hairs few, pale, up to 4 mm long. Fronds widely spaced, membranous. Stipe up to 1 m long, brown, glabrous at maturity. Lamina 1.5 × 1 m, 4-pinnatifid to 4-pinnate, triangular in outline. Ultimate segments oblong-lanceolate, with rounded apex and lobed margins, both surfaces and costules with few, soft hairs. Sori circular, 1 mm diameter, situated at the end of the veins, which also bear a clear gland on the upper surface; indusium cup-shaped and facing outwards.

Rare

Widespread in Africa, also in the Madagascan region, pantropical.