Since the 1970s, an apomictic tetraploid beech fern (genus Phegopteris (C. Presl) Fée) has been known in northeastern North America. Previously published isozyme data suggest that this lineage is of allopolyploid origin involving long beech fern (P. connectilis (Michx.) Watt.) but not broad beech fern (P. hexagonoptera (Michx.) Fée), as originally hypothesized. Its second progenitor remains unknown. We performed a principal components analysis of the apomict and its North American congeners to elucidate morphological differences between them. We recognize the apomictic tetraploid at specific rank as P. excelsior N. R. Patel & A. V. Gilman and provide an illustration, a range map, a list of exsiccatae, and a key to Phegopteris species of North America.
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4 November 2019
Phegopteris excelsior (Thelypteridaceae): A New Species of North American Tetraploid Beech Fern
Nikisha R. Patel,
Susan Fawcett,
Arthur V. Gilman
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Allopolyploid
apogamy
Apomixis
cryptic species
hybrid speciation
Phegopteris
Thelypteridaceae