Eupodium
Introduction '''''Eupodium''''' is a genus of ferns in the family Marattiaceae native to the Neotropics. Traditionally, many taxonomists have included ''Eupodium'' within the genus ''Marattia'' (along with ''Ptisana''). However, molecular phylogenetic studies and morphological studies of extant and fossil taxa support the recognition of ''Eupodium'' as a lineage distinct from ''Marattia''. Morphologically, ''Eupodium'' was thought to be distinct among the Marattiaceae in only having one frond at a time (occasionally two), bearing awns along veins, and having stalked synangia (clusters of sporangia that have become fused in development). However, recent phylogenetic work found that an additional species native to Brazil, ''Eupodium cicutifolium'', which lacks these characters, is also genetically in ''Eupodium'', making the genus challenging to distinguish morphologically. ''Eupodium cicutifolium'' does occasionally have short-stalked synangia, and has spinulose spores like the other ''Eupodium'' species, but is otherwise easily mistaken for a ''Marattia'' or ''Ptisana''. The genus currently has four recognized species.The basal chromosome number for this genus is unknown. The type species is ''Eupodium kaulfussii''.
Phylogeny Phylogeny of ''Eupodium''The genus includes the following species: * ''Eupodium cicutifolium'' (Kaulf.) Lehtonen (Brazil, northern Argentina)* ''Eupodium kaulfussii'' (J.Sm.) J.Sm. (Brazil)* ''Eupodium laeve'' (Sm.) Murdock (Cuba, Hispaniola, Puerto Rico)* ''Eupodium pittieri'' (Maxon) Christenh. (Central America, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Venezuela, Trinidad)
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