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NZ Plants


Hymenophyllum scabrum - rough filmy fern

Hymenophyllaceae

Hymenophyllum scabrum is terrestrial or epiphytic filmy fern with long-creeping stems (rhizomes) distinctive large, olive-green fronds with a bristly stem (stipe) and midrib (rachis) and sparsley hairy leaflets with smooth margins .
An endemic species found throughout New Zealand.
 

Vegetative characteristics

Fertile frond and sporangia

Plant form: creeping rhizome with fronds up to 50 cm

Frond appearance: similar to sterile frond

Frond stalk, midrib: stalk wiry, densely covered with bristly hairs; midrib with hairs, narrowly- winged in upper part

Sporangium location: on terminal ends of leaflets

Frond shape: oval

Sporangium position: leaflet margin

Frond blade: 3-4-pinnate (divided 3-4 times into leaflets or pinnae)

Sporangia distribution: in groups (sori)

Frond surface:

Sorus shape: rounded

Leaflets: linear, smooth margin

 

Juvenile characteristics:

Sorus covering: indusium flaps minutely toothed