Diplazium zanzibaricum (Bak.) C. Chr.

zanzibaricum: of Zanzibar, where this fern was first collected.

Rhizome erect, with a short caudex up to 60 × 15 cm; rhizome scales dark brown, linear-lanceolate, up to 9mm long, margins entire. Fronds large, tufted, arching, firmly herbaceous. Stipe up to 1m long, pale brown, smooth except for a numerous, dark brown, ciliate, hair-like scales, up to 15 mm long, near the base. Lamina 3-pinnatifid to 3-pinnate, up to 1.5m × 1.2m, broadly ovate in outline. Pinnules 15-20 pairs, ovate-lanceolate, apex pointed, base shortly petiolate, truncate to cordate, cut to the costules into oblong, slightly falcate lobes with rounded apices, margins serrate, glabrous on both surfaces, but costae and costules with scattered, minute scales, veins free. Rhachis pale brown, subglabrous. Sori oblong to linear-oval, 0.7-2 mm long, often acroscopic sori arranged back to back; indusium erose.

Rare

Widespread in tropical africa, S. Africa, Madagascar, Comoro islands.