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NZ Plants

Thelypteris confluens - swamp fern

Family: Thelypteridaceae

Thelypteris confluens has a long creeping stem bearing divided, stiff and erect, pale green fronds covered with hairs. Lower primary leaflets are as long as the middle ones and are divided almost to the midrib to form round-ended segments.

Found in the upper portion of the North Island in coastal areas and inland wetlands associated with geothermal areas.

Vegetative characteristics

Fertile frond and sporangia

Plant: erect stem bearing fronds up to 40 cm

Frond appearance: fertile leaflets slightly smaller

Frond stalk, midrib: stipe brown with scales at base

Sporangium location: lower frond surface

Frond shape: narrowly elliptic

Sporangium positioin: in one row either side of midrib

Frond blade: once divided (pinnate)

Sporangia distribution: in groups (sori)

Frond surface: thin with hairs and scales

Sorus shape: circular

Leaflets: divided half way to midrib into large rounded segments

Sorus covering: kidney-shaped with glandular hairs

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