The first register of the weed fern Pteris cretica var. laeta (Pteridaceae) in central Argentina

Abstract

Pteris cretica L. var. laeta is recorded for the first time in the Comechingones biogeographic province in central Argentina. This is the first record of P. cretica in central Argentina, and P. cretica var. laeta for the country. Until now Pteris cretica has only been known to occur, in America, in North America (Florida), Central America and South America in Neotropical biomes from Peru, Chile, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and northern Argentina as established in the Yungas biogeographic province, and as ruderal in Buenos Aires. An updated description is provided, along with pictures, differences with P. cretica var. cretica, and characteristic of the novel habitat of the species.

Keywords

• Central Pampean Ranges
• Comechingones province
• Exotic species
• Polypodiopsida
• Pteridoideae