Thelypteris × altissima (Holttum) Vorster (1977:260)

Taxonomy & Nomenclature

Synonym/s: Christella × altissima Holttum in J. S. African Bot. 40: 141 (1974); Cyclosorus × altissimus (Holttum) Mazumdar & R.Mukhop. in J. Bot. Soc. Bengal 67: 44 (2013)

This species is of hybrid origin (Hassler, 2004-2023; POWO, 2023), which had been suspected for many years (see von Staden & Burrows, 2007).

Conservation Status

Missing (von Staden & Burrows, 2007) or Extinct (POWO, 2023; Christenhusz & Govaerts, 2024)

Last record (disputed): 100+ years ago; 1990 (Christenhusz & Govaerts, 2024; but see von Staden & Burrows, 2007)

Possibly rediscovered in 1990, but confirmation is lacking (see von Staden & Burrows, 2007). This 1990 record is accepted by (Christenhusz & Govaerts, 2024).

Distribution

KwaZulu-Natal & Limpopo Province, South Africa

Biology & Ecology

Hypodigm

Media

References

Burrows, J. E. (1990). Southern African ferns and fern allies. Frandsen Publishers, Sandton.

Christenhusz, Maarten J. M. and Govaerts, Rafaël. (2023). Uitgestorven. Op plantenjacht rond de wereld: 1-511. Sterck & De Vreese.

Christenhusz, Maarten J. M. and Govaerts, Rafaël. (2024). Plant extinction in the Anthropocene. Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society. https://doi.org/10.1093/botlinnean/boae045 [Appendix S1]

Crouch, N. R., Klopper, R. R., Burrows, J. E. and Burrows, S. M. (2011). Ferns of Southern Africa, A comprehensive guide. Struik Nature. [pp. 682-683]

Hall, A. V., De Winter, M., De Winter, B. and Van Oosterhout, S. A. M. (1980). Threatened plants of southern Africa. South African National Scienctific Programmes Report 45. CSIR, Pretoria.

Hassler, Michael. (2004-2023). World Ferns. Synonymic Checklist and Distribution of Ferns and Lycophytes of the World. Version 17.2; last update Oct. 20th, 2023. Available at: https://www.worldplants.de/ferns/ [Accessed 4 November 2023]

Hilton-Taylor, Craig. (1996). Red data list of southern African plants. Strelitzia 4. South African National Botanical Institute, Pretoria.

Jacobsen, W. B. G. (1983). The ferns and fern allies of southern Africa. Durban & Pretoria: Butterworths.

POWO. (2023). Thelypteris × altissima (Holttum) Vorster. Plants of the World Online (online resource). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, United Kingdom. Available at: https://powo.science.kew.org/ [Accessed 29 October 2023]

Raimondo, D., von Staden, L., Foden, W., Victor, J. E., Helme, N. A., Turner, R. C., Kamundi, D. A. and Manyama, P. A. (2009). Red List of South African Plants. Strelitzia 25. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria.

Roux, J. P. (2001). Conspectus of southern African Pteridophyta. Southern African Botanical Network Report 13:1-223. SABONET, Pretoria.

Roux, J. P. (2009). Synopsis of the Lycopodiophyta and Pteridophyta of Africa, Madagascar and neighbouring islands. Strelitzia 23, South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria. [p. 202]

Schelpe, E. A. C. L. E. and Anthony, N. C. (1986). Pteridophyta. In: O.A. Leistner (ed). Flora of southern Africa:1-292. National Botanical Institute, Pretoria.

Scott-Shaw, C. R. (1999). Rare and threatened plants of KwaZulu-Natal and neighbouring regions. KwaZulu-Natal Nature Conservation Service, Pietermaritzburg.

von Staden, L. and Burrows, J. E. (2007). Christella altissima Holttum. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2017.1. Accessed on 2017/06/03.

Walter, Kerry S. and Gillett, Harriet J. (eds.). (1998). 1997 IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants. Compiled by the World Conservation Monitoring Centre. Gland, Switzerland & Cambridge, UK: IUCN – The World Conservation Union. lxiv + 862 pp.

https://www.fernsofafrica.com/blank-species.php?species_id=108290

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