Analysis of the leaf characters in the brazilian Grammitidaceae

Abstract

In the present paper, the author studies several leaf characters in connection with the taxonomy of the family Grammitidaceae in Brazil. Nineteen species belonging to the genera Grammitis, Cochlidium, Xiphopteris and Ctenopteris, are comparatively analysed. For each species the following characters are examined: texture and shape of the blade, venation patterns and sori supplies, hairs, stomata (structure, distribution, density), upper and lower epidermis patterns. According to these data, the author estimates it is possible to establish differences at the specific level. This paper represents a preliminary work for the whole revision of the family Grammitidaceae in Brazil.