We present the new combination Pleopeltis minima (Bory) J. Prado & R. Y. Hirai and we selected a lectotype for Marginaria minima described by Bory, based on material from southern Brazil. This taxon has a wide range in the southern part of South America and it has been recognized in the rank of species and/or variety by several previous authors, but its correct name has been misleading. Recently it has been treated as a member of Pleopeltis, but with a wrong epithet. The nomenclatural mistake involving this species arose because there are different interpretations of some nomenclatural rules defined in the IBCN. A similar misunderstanding of the same rule is also discussed for a species in Lindsaea.

We describe Adiantum camptorachis from the Tucumano-Boliviano forests of southern Bolivia and northwestern and central Argentina. This species was previously confused with A. glanduliferum, which is found on the Pacific side of Andes from southern Peru to central Chile. Adiantum camptorachis differs by having rhizome scales with distally ciliate margins, erose pinna margins, and by having a flexuous rachis. We also provide a detailed description for A. rufopunctatum, which had previously been treated as a synonym of A. raddianum by several authors. A key to similar South American species is presented. It includes all species with decompound non-conform laminae and orbicular to reniform or lunate sori in the Southern Cone, including Argentina Chile, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay.

The aim of this paper was to study spore germination and growth of young sporophytes of four ferns from Atlantic Forest (Brazil). Blechnum brasiliense is a subarborescent fern, Saccoloma inaequale is an herbaceous species, while Cyathea corcovadensis and Cyathea delgadii are tree ferns. The percentages of spore germination under experimental conditions were 65.3 ± 3.6% (Blechnum brasiliense), 31.7 ± 2.5% (C. corcovadensis), 77.5 ± 5.2% (C. delgadii) and 60.5 ± 2.0 (Saccoloma inaequale). The highest percentage of sporophytes produced from spore germination was 91.5 ± 2.5% for B. brasiliense and the lowest was 35.8 ± 16.2% for C. corcovadensis. The relative growth rate (RGR) ranged from 0.17 ± 0.02 cm cm⁻¹ month⁻¹ (C. corcovadensis) to 0.25 ± 0.06 cm cm⁻¹ month⁻¹ (S. inaequale). Spores stored at 7 ± 1 °C for 6 to 8 months were able to germinate and to produce mature gametophyte and sporophytes. The herbaceous species showed greater RGR than the tree species.

In order to understand sexual reproductive characteristics of an arsenic hyperaccumulator, Pteris vittata L., in soil culture and provide valuable suggestions for its commercial production, two experiments were performed focused on how storage time of spores, collection time, substrate sterilization methods, and culture conditions affect sexual reproductive efficiency. Results demonstrate that spores of P. vittata remain at high viability after several month storage, can live through hot water and spores collected in winter have a higher viability than those collected in spring. Furthermore, light is indispensable for gametophyte growth of P. vittata. During the gametophyte phase and the early sporophyte phase, P. vittata demonstrated a wide adaptability to differing light intensities, but grew best under 40% shade. Additionally, it grew in sand though it prefers fertile substrates. A proper combination of light, substrate, and densities of spores and gametophytes promises efficient reproduction.

The dwarf maidenhair fern of the Pacific Northwest coast is here recognized as a variety of the western maidenhair fern; that is, as Adiantum aleuticum var. subpumilum. Reasons are given for this treatment.