17. Polystichum sect. Basigemmifera (W. M. Chu & Z. R. He) Li Bing Zhang
[stat. nov.]
小芽胞耳蕨组 xiao ya bao er jue zu
Basionym: Polystichum ser. Basigemmifera W. M. Chu & Z. R. He, Fl. Reipubl. Popularis Sin. 5(2): 223. 2001.
Plants small, summer-green or evergreen. Lamina 1-pinnate to 3-pinnate. Rachis with proliferous bulbils at either base or near apex or at both positions. Indusia erose or lacerate.
About five species: Asia; five species (four endemic) in China.
Polystichum sect. Basigemmifera has been accommodated in P. sect. Micropolystichum (FRPS 5(2): 154. 2001) as P. ser. Basigemmifera. However, the type of P. sect. Micropolystichum, P. thomsonii, and its relatives (e.g., P. costularisorum, P. jiucaipingense, P. longidens, P. zayuense) lack bulbils on the rachis and are members of P. subg. Polystichum, while members of P. sect. Basigemmifera have bulbils on the rachis and are members of P. subg. Haplopolystichum.
Polystichum sect. Basigemmifera and P. sect. Mastigopteris are possibly paraphyletic in relation to P. sect. Platylepia.