Leucostegia amplissima, the third species of the genus (Hypodematiaceae)

<p><span><i>Leucostegia</i> has been long recognized as a small fern genus with only two species, <i>L</i>. <i>immersa </i>and <i>L. pallida</i>. Here we elevate a variety of <i>L</i>. <i>immersa</i> to species level and make the new combination <b><i>Leucostegia</i> <i>amplissima</i></b> based on morphological and molecular phylogenetic evidence. Morphologically, <i>Leucostegia amplissima<b> </b></i>differs from <i>L. immersa</i> by having larger evergreen fronds, smaller indusia, and glandular hairs on the basal stipes. The study of Taiwanese populations further suggested an ecological divergence between <i>L. immersa</i> and <i>L. amplissima</i>.</span></p>