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NZ Plants


Asplenium appendiculatum subsp. maritimum - coastal spleenwort

Spleenwort family: Aspleniaceae

Asplenium appendiculatum subspecies maritimum is a terrestrial fern with a short erect stem and thick, dark green and fleshy fronds.
Formerly Asplenium terrestre.

Found in coastal regions throughout New Zealand.

 

Vegetative characteristics

Fertile frond and sporangia

Plant form: short, erect rhizome with fronds up to 450 mm in length Frond appearance: similar to sterile frond
Frond stalk,midrib: scales narrowly triangular with filamentous tips
Sporangium location: on lower frond surface
Frond shape: elliptic Sporangium position: close to leaflet margin
Frond blade: 2-3-pinnate (divided up to 3x into leaflets or pinnae) Sporangia distribution: in groups (sori)

Frond surface: dull, leathery

Sorus shape: linear
Leaflets: elliptic to ovate with long undivided tips Sorus covering: linear covering (indusium) opening toward midrib