Characteristics of Lomariopsis
All species share the following characteristics:
• Elongated vascular bundle in the rhizome
• 1-pinnate leaves (only one species with simple leaves: L. palustris, of Africa )
Characteristic rhizome cross-section of Lomariopsis . Note the elongated vascular bundle (bottom) that gives rise to the roots. This bundle has a slight indentation or notch on its upper surface—a characteristic absent in other lomariopsid ferns (e.g., Bolbitis, Lomagramma). (Photo by R. C. Moran)
Pinnae articulate to the rachis are characteristic of Lomariopsis, but the articulations are often faint and hard to see. They are just visible here as faint dark lines. In all species they appear to be non-functional; the pinnae do not drop cleanly from the rachis with age. (Photo by R. C. Moran)
All species of Lomariopsis have creeping rhizomes. They usually begin growth on the base of a narrow diameter trunk, then climb upward, as shown here for L. vestita . (Photo R. Moran, Costa Rica )
Free veins (ones that don't anastomose to form a net or mesh) are characteristic all species of Lomariopsis . (Photo by R. Moran, L. japurensis , Costa Rica)
All species of Lomariopsis have acrostichoid sori, which can be seen here in the dark fertile leaf in the center (B). In acrostichoid sori the sporangia are spread over the lower surface of the blade, not in discrete lines or dots as in most other ferns. Lomariopsis japurensis (drawing by H. Fukuda)
