顶育蕨 ding yu jue

Acrostichum acuminatum Willdenow, Sp. Pl., ed. 4, 5: 116. 1810; Aglaomorpha acuminata (Willdenow) Hovenkamp; A. speciosa (Blume) M. C. Roos; Lomaria speciosa Blume; Photinopteris speciosa (Blume) C. Presl; Polypodium speciosum (Blume) Christ (1897), not Blume (1828), nor Meyen (1834).

Rhizome glaucous, long creeping, 7-20 mm in diam.; scales brown, linear-lanceolate, 3-10 × 0.2-1.2 mm, base auriculate, margin dentate to ciliate, apex narrowly acuminate to filiform-subulate. Fronds internally dimorphic, stalked; stipe 10-35 cm, with 2 rows of rudimentary pinnae; lamina pinnate, (30-)45-90 × 13-30 cm, leathery, glabrous or with sparse hairs up to 3 mm, apical pinna present, nectaries on small extensions of pinna base at basiscopic side, sometimes also at acroscopic side; sterile pinnae ovate, 7-30 × 3.5-10 cm, base cuneate, apex acuminate to caudate, stalks up to 1 cm; fertile pinnae in upper 2/3 of frond, few to several pairs, strongly narrowed, linear, 10-27 cm × 4-7 mm. Sori (coenosori) linear, covering whole abaxial surface of fertile pinnae except for costa and near margin. Spores with small globules.

Epilithic, climbing on limestone cliffs in exposed or shaded places in tropical rain forests, forming large populations, but uncommon and local; 1300-1400 m. S Yunnan [Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam].