Open AccessRejection of Pteridium aquilinum subspecies atlanticum (C. N. Page)
Author(s) -
ASHCROFT C. J.,
SHEFFIELD E.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
botanical journal of the linnean society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.872
H-Index - 68
eISSN - 1095-8339
pISSN - 0024-4074
DOI - 10.1111/j.1095-8339.1999.tb00516.x
Subject(s) - pteridium aquilinum , bracken , subspecies , taxon , edaphic , biology , botany , zoology , ecology , fern , soil water
A new subspecies of bracken, Pteridium aquilinum subspecies atlanticum , was first described in 1989. The taxon was recognized on the basis of frond morphology, phenology and edaphic preferences. Morphological and edaphic studies were conducted at the locus classicus in Scotland, and at a site held to contain the taxon in Wales. Morphological inconsistency between the published description, recent collections from the locus classicus and the type material, a lack of evidence for edaphic distinctions, and complete isozymic identity with common bracken (subspecies aquilinum var. aquilinum) are presented. These findings support the proposal that there are currently no grounds to support recognition of this taxon. Environmental variables which may account for the appearance of certain bracken plants in line with the original description are suggested.