A NEW PELLAEA FROM SOUTH AFRICA* ALICE F. TRYON PELLAEA rufa sp. nov,, A. F. Tryon. Rhizoma gracile repens dichotomum paleis concoloribus rufis elongato-lanceolato-triangularibus acumine filiformi basi cordata. Folia 12-30 cm. longa stipite rufo rachide rufa apicem versus flexuosa. Laminae elongato-triangulares bi-tripinnatae segmentis ellipticis vel ovatis vel nonnullis ternatis coriaceis nervis immersis. Sporangia brevissime stipitata. Sporae pallide luteolo-fuscae triplantae laeves. Typus: Compton 16402 (US). Rhizome slender, cord-like, dichotomously branched, long creeping. Scales of the rhizome and stipe-base concolorous, ruddy-tan, elongate lanceolate-triangular, sparsely dentate, the tip filiform, the base cordate, scales surrounding the meristem pinkish or red. Fronds 12-30 cm. long, approximate, the buds paleaceous. Stipe and rachis convex or plane on the upper surface, nearly glabrous, ruddy-tan to red becoming darker and gray with age, the upper portion of the rachis usually flexuous. Blade 10 cm. long and 2 cm. broad to 25 cm. long and 5 cm. broad, bi-tripinnate, elongate-triangular, the pinnae ascending at a broad angle to the rachis, the rachises somewhat flexuous. Segments 3 mm. long and 2 mm. broad to 10 mm. long and 6 mm. broad, elliptical or oval (some ternate), retuse, coriaceous, the veins im-mersed and obscure, the margin reflexed or revolute, border lutescent, crenulate, the young segments reddisic Sporangia with short stalks less than one-fourth the capsule length. Spores 64 per sporangium, tetrahedral, pale yellowish-brown, esentially smooth. Specimens examined: CAPE PROVINCE: Rock crevices, Ngaap Kop, Laingsburg Dist., Nov. 6, 1944, R. H. Compton 1640o (US); Same locality, Dec. 1, 1941, R. H. Compton 12619 (US); Foothills of Witteberg, April 19, 1925, R. H. Compton 2961 (K); Rocky hillaides anmog tscculents, The Great Karoo, near Matjiesfontein, Jan. 24, 1948, Robert J. Rodin 3342 (UC, K, MO); Karoo, Groote Fontein, Mr. Dickson, Lady Barkly recd. 5/75 (K); Locis rupestribus montosi, ici in dumetris, Kendo, alt. 3000-4000, 1838, Dr�ge (BM, K, MO, P). Additional localities from the Cape Province have been cited by Compton1 fro -Whehill Ridge; Klipbank, Beaufort West Div.; and by Alton and Schlepe from-Sutherland: Klein Roggeveld, Schietfontein. This fera of the South African Karroo has had a elusive record for some hun-dred years. It is iot surprising for te species is strang among African ferashaving its closest ally, Pellaea myrtillifoli in the xermorphic fora of central Chile.These and two species in the southwestrn United States form an alliance so close STrans. Roy. Soc. South Afric 19:270. 1931. SJour. South African Botany 18:170. 1952. * This paper was prepared in connection with a grant from the Sa�he Faund of ih NatiAcdemy of Sciences for the study of desrt fers. Issued Mard 24, �. (s0 (101)
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