Recircumscription and distribution of elements of the ‘Ceterach cordatum’ complex (Asplenium: Aspleniaceae) in southern Africa

Abstract

Ceterachoid aspleniums in southern Africa have long been treated as a single widespread and variable taxon, Asplenium cordatum (Thunb.) Sw. (= Ceterach cordatum Thunb.). In addition to A. cordatum, a further two ceterachoid taxa are now recognized as occurring in the Flora of southern Africa (FSA) region, namely A. capense (Kunze) Bir, Fraser-Jenk. & Lovis and A. phillipsianum (Kümmerle) Bir, Fraser-Jenk. & Lovis. We provide full descriptions and distributions of these three taxa.