206 Underwood : The Genus riiANERoriiLEBiA 



The genus PluDicropJilcbia (Presl, Tent. Pteridogr. 84. 1836) 

 was established by Presl together wuth the genus Aniblia (Presl, 



+ 



Tent. Pteridogr. 184. 1836) the former founded on P. nobilis^ and 

 the latter on P. juglaudifolia^ the genera differing only in the sup- 

 posed absence of indusia in the latter genus. It represents a 

 somewhat natural group of plants of the Aspidicac witli once pin- 

 nate leaves, coriaceous or herbaceous habit and 3— 4-forkcd veins 

 Avhich in some species unite more or less copiously in the outer 

 portions of the pinnae and in others remain free. , In the species 

 with normall}' free veins, however, accidental areolae sometimes 

 appear. John Smith (in his later writings) and Moore united this 

 genus with Cyrtouiiuvi whose type is the common C. falcatum of 

 cultivation, but in that species and its allies a widely different type 

 of venation occurs which in our judgment is sufficient for generic 

 distinction. The relations of this genus to other generic groups 

 which have been united under Aspidiuni^ Nephrodiinn^ and other 

 names will be discussed later in this series of papers. 



The genus PJiancropJdcbia has a limited distribution, ranging 

 from the northern coast of South America to Arizona and New 

 Mexico. There are at least eight species which may be easily 



■ 



separated as follows : 



Veins regularly and copiotisly anastomosing. 



Pinnae 5-ii» 4-5 ^^i- wide ; inner line of sori near the midrib. 



I. /*. fiiglaudifolia. 

 Pinnae 16-20, 2-3 cm. or less wide; inner line of sori 3-5 mm. from the midrib. 



3 . P, rcmotispora. 

 Veins free or exceptionally anastomosing at rare intervals. 



Pinnae 3-5, cordate at base. 2. P. puniila. 



Pinnae IO-30, acute or obliquely obtuse at base. 



Pinnae 7-^5 ^^''^- ^^ng, normally set at an angle of 50-75° with rachis. 

 Pinnae mostly auricled on the upper side of the base. 



6, P, aiincitlafa. 

 Pinnae obtuse or acute at base, not auricled. 



Inner line of sori near the midrib ; rachises smooth. 



4. P. J I obi lis. 

 Inner line of sori 4 mm. from midrib ; rachises scaly. 



5. /*. lunhonata. 



* While diis genus is nominally founded on P, nobilis, the description and figure of 

 the venation show a plant with anastomosing venis and it is more than juoljable that P. 

 remotispora^ a species not separated until over thirty years later, was the ]-i'ant Presl 

 had in hand. This point, which does not affect the establishment and validity of the 

 genus, can probably be settled by an examination of Presl' s plant at Prag. 



