PTERIDOPHYTA - Australian National Botanic Gardens

<taxon><rank>division</rank><title>PTERIDOPHYTA ***Jim: vol. 49</title> <description>Vascular herbs, rarely arborescent, often rhizomatous, often with scales; true roots usually present (rhizoids in Psilotum). Leaves either bract-like or a frond which is circinate in bud (except in Psilotaceae, Lycopodiaceae, Selaginellaceae and Ophioglossaceae). Stipe usually lacking stipules (fleshy stipules in Marattiaceae, non -fleshy ones in Osmundaceae). Lamina broad, simple or variously pinnate, bearing sporangi a. Sporangia usually in sori (often protected by an indusium) or grouped in synangia, or (in Psilotum) borne on the stems. Spores germinating to produce a prothallus which bears the male and female organs, producing, after fertilisation, the new sporophyte.</description> <note>The ferns and fern allies are a large and ancient, worldwide division of land plants (very rarely, floating aquatics). They produce spores, usually in sori, which on germination develop into the sexual generation called the prothallus, which bears the male and female reproductive organs. Well known in the fossil state, especially from the Carboniferous Age, the group consists of four Classes, Psilopsida, Lycopsida, Sphenopsida and Filicopsida, all except the third occurring on Norfolk and Lord Howe Islands.</note></taxon> <taxon><rank>family</rank><title>PSILOTACEAE</title> <contributors><contributor>P.S.Green</contributor><contributor_address>Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 3AB, England</contributor_address></contributors> <description>Epiphytic, lithophytic or terrestrial; rhizomes dichotomously branched, bearing rhizoids. Aerial stems simple, forked once or dichotomously branched in upper part, bearing flattened 'leaves' or scale-like appendages. Synangia 2or 3-lobed, homosporous.</description> <distribution>A tropical or subtropical family containing only the following 2 living genera, and c. 12 species; both genera native on the Islands.</distribution> <bibliography>R.E.G.Pichi Sermolli, Tentatem Pteridophytorum genera in taxonomicum ordinem redigendi, Webbia 31: 313–512 (1977); R.A.White, D.W.Bierhorst, P.G.Gensel, D.R.Kaplan & W.H.Wagner Jr, Taxonomic and morphological relationships of the Psilotaceae, Brittonia 29: 1–68 (1977); D.L.Jones & S.C.Clemesha, Austral. Ferns & Fern Allies 2nd edn, 27–28 (1981); R.M.Tryon & A.F.Tryon, Ferns & Allied Pl. 782–787 (1982); D.L.Jones, Encycl. Ferns 44–47 (1987).</bibliography> KEY TO GENERA Synangia 3-chambered, subtended by a bifid scale-like sporophyll or leaf Synangia 2-chambered, fused to a bifid leaf-like sporophyll 12 1. PSILOTUM 2. TMESIPTERIS </taxon> <taxon><rank>gen.</rank><parent>PSILOTACEAE</parent><seq>1</seq><title>1. PSILOTUM</title> <name_info><name>Psilotum</name><author>Sw.</author><protologue><ref>J . Bot. (Schrader) 1800(2): 109</ref><date>(1801)</date></protologue></name_info><etymology>from the Greek psilos (naked or bare), in allusion to the naked synangia</etymology> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><type>Type: P. triquetrum Sw., nom. illeg. = P. nudum (L.) P.Beauv.</type></synonym></synonymy> <description>Terrestrial, lithophytic or epiphytic plants, rhizomatous, creeping; rhizome bearing rhizoids, not true roots. Stems erect or pendulous, often tufted, dichotomously branched, bearing scale-like sporophylls ('leaves'). Fertile sporophylls bract-like, bifid, subtending a ±sessile 3-lobed synangium.</description> <distribution>A genus of 2 species distributed throughout th e tropics and subtropics. Together with Tmesipteris (below), structurally the most primitive living genera of vascular plants. One species is native to both Islands.</distribution> <bibliography>G.Bentham, Lycopodiaceae, Psilotum, Fl. Austral. 7: 681–682 (1878).</bibliography> </taxon> <taxon><seq>1</seq><parent>Psilotum</parent><name_info><name>nudum</name>< author>(L.) P.Beauv.</author><protologue><ref>Prodr. Aetheogam. 112</ref><date>(1805)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><citation>Lycopodium nudum L., Sp. Pl. 2: 1100 (1753); Psilotum triquetrum Sw., J. Bot. (Schrader) 1800(2): 109 (1801), nom. illeg.</citation><type>T: 'in Indiis'; lecto: LINN 1257.1, fide G.R.Proctor in R.A.Howard, Fl. Lesser Antilles 2: 16 (1977); IDC microfiche 177/2.734/21. The epithet comes from the Latin nudus (naked), in reference to the synangia.</type></synonym></synonymy> <illustrations>Illustrations: D.L.Jones & S.C.Clemesha, Austral. Ferns & Fern Allies 2nd edn, 28 (1981); D.L.Jones, Encycl. Ferns 45, 49 (1987); P.G.Wilson in G.J.Harden, Fl. New South Wales 1: 3, t. 1 (1990).</illustrations> <description>Tough herb. Stems erect, 15–50 cm tall, 2–4 mm thick, simple basally, repeatedly dichotomously branched in the upper part; branches 3-angled. Scales scattered, ovate-subulate, 2–3 mm long; fertile leaves 2-lobed, subulate, c. 2 mm long, subtending ±sessile synangia on uppermost branches; synangia ±globular, 3-celled, c. 2 mm diam., yellow when mature.</description> <common_name>Skeleton Forkfern.</common_name> <distribution>Norfolk Is., Lord Howe Is. On Norfolk Is. occasional to common in the National Park, occasional elsewhere; common throughout Lord Howe Is. Also in Australia and the North Is. of New Zealand, and widespread throughout the tropics and subtropics.</distribution> <specimens>N.Is.: Mt Pitt Reserve, M.Lazarides 8076 (CANB); s. loc., A.Cunningham 61 (K). L.H.Is.: Transit Hill, P.S.Green 1637 (A, K); near Lovers Bay, R.D.Hoogland 8725 (CANB, NSW).</specimens> </taxon> 13 <taxon><rank>gen.</rank><parent>PSILOTACEAE</parent><seq>2</seq><title>2. TMESIPTERIS</title> <name_info><name>Tmesipteris</name><author>Bernh.</author><protologue><ref >J. Bot. (Schrader) 1800(2): 131</ref><date>(1801)</date></protologue></name_info><etymology>from the Greek tmesis (cutting or incision) and pteris (fern), in allusion to the sporophyll being cut in two in these fern allies</etymology> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><type>Type: Bernh.</type></synonym></synonymy> T. tannensis (Spreng.) <description>Rhizomatous herbs. Aerial branches simple or forked once (elsewhere, repeatedly forked), bearing flattened appendages ('leaves') with a midrib. Synangia of paired sporangia fused to these leaf-like structures.</description> <distribution>A genus of c. 10 species, mostly from eastern Australia and New Zealand, but also from Mindanao, Celebes, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Is., Vanuatu, New Caledonia, Fiji, Samoa, Tahiti and the Marquesas. Two native species, 1 on each of the Islands.</distribution> <note>Sometimes classified in its own family, the Tmesipteridaceae.</note> <bibliography>G.Bentham, Lycopodiaceae, Tmesipteris, Fl. Austral. 7: 680– 681 (1878); M.M.J. van Balgooy, Blumea Suppl. 5: 274–275 (1966); R.J.Chinnock, The New Zealand species of Tmesipteris (Psilotaceae), New Zealand J. Bot. 13: 743–768 (1975).</bibliography> Synangia ±globose, blunt, 3.5–4 mm long, 1.75–2 mm broad; leaf-like appendages acute, apiculate (N.Is.) Synangia somewhat elongated, ±pointed, 5.5–6 mm long, 1.25–1.5 mm broad; leaf-like appendages subtruncate, prominently apiculate (L.H.Is.) </taxon> 1. T. norfolkensis 2. T. truncata <taxon><seq>1</seq><parent>Tmesipteris</parent><name_info><name>norfolkensis</ name><author>P.S.Green</author><protologue><ref>J. Arnold Arbor. 67: 109</ref><date>(1986)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym W.</type></synonym> kind="nom"><type>T: Norfolk Island, 1804 –1805, F.L.Bauer; holo: <synonym kind="tax"><citation><synonymy><synonym kind="tax"><citation> Tmesipteris forsteri Endl., Prodr. Fl. Norfolk. 6 (1833), nom. illeg.; Psilotum forsteri (Endl.) Endl., Iconogr. Gen. Pl. ix, t. 85 (1838), nom. illeg.</citation><type>T: Norfolk Island, 1804–1805, F.L.Bauer; holo: W.</type></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Tmesipteris tannensis auct. non (Spreng.) Bernh.: J.H.Maiden, Proc. Linn. Soc. New South Wales 28: 740 (1904); R.M.Laing, Trans. & Proc. New Zealand Inst. 47: 15 (1915); C.F.Reed, Bol. Soc. Brot. ser. 2, 40: 84 (1966)]</citation></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Tmesipteris truncata auct. non (R.Br.) Desv.: C.F.Reed, op. cit. 85, p.p.]</citation></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Tmesipteris billardieri auct. non Endl.: M.D.Tindale in N.C.W.Beadle et al., Fl. Sydney Region 3rd edn, 40 (1982), p.p.]</citation></synonym></synonymy> <illustrations>Illustration: S.F.L.Endlicher, Iconogr. Gen. Pl. t. 85 (1835).</illustrations> <description>Pendulous epiphyte on trunks of tree ferns. Branches 10–25 cm long, of limited growth. Leaf-like appendages slightly sigmoid, 10–20 mm long, 3–5 mm broad, acute, apiculate. Synangia ±globose, 3.5–4 mm long, 1.75–2 mm broad, blunt.</description> <common_name>Hanging Forkfern.</common_name> <image kind="fig"><image_text>Fig. 101A.</image_text><image_url>v*****_f*****.jpg</image_url></image> 14 <distribution>Norfolk Is. Endemic.</distribution> <habitat>Scattered throughout the populations of tree ferns</habitat> <specimens>N.Is.: Mt Pitt Reserve, M.Lazarides 8086 (CANB, K); SE slopes of Mt Pitt, R.D.Hoogland 6591 (CANB); between Palm Glen and Red Rd, R.J.Chinnock 5964 (AD, K); s. loc., Nov. 1902, J.H.Maiden & J.L.Boorman (BM, K, NSW).</specimens></taxon> <taxon><seq>2</seq><parent>Tmesipteris</parent><name_info><name>truncata</nam e><author>(R.Br.) Desv.</author><protologue><ref>Mém. Soc. Linn. Paris 6: 192</ref><date>(1827)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><citation>Psilotum truncatum R.Br., Prodr. 164 (1810).</citation><type>T: Tasmania and Port Jackson, Australia, 1802, R.Brown; syn: BM; isosyn: K. The epithet alludes to the truncate apex of the leaves.</type></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Tmesipteris tannensis auct. non (Spreng.) Bernh.: G.Bentham, Fl. Austral. 7: 681 (1878), p.p.; W.R.B.Oliver, Trans. & Proc. New Zealand Inst. 49: 117 (1917)]</citation></synonym></synonymy> <illustrations>Illustrations: D.L.Jones & S.C.Clemesha, Austral. Ferns & Fern Allies 2nd edn, 32, fig. 15b (1981); S.B.Andrews, Ferns Queensland fig. 31.1A (1990); P.G.Wilson in G.J.Harden, Fl. New South Wales 1: 4 (1990).</illustrations> <description>Pendulous epiphyte on trunks of tree ferns. Branches 10–30 cm long, of limited growth. Leaf-like appendages oblong, only very slightly sigmoid, 10–20 mm long, 3–5 mm broad, subtruncate with prominent apiculum 1–2 mm long. Synangia somewhat elongate, ovoid-conoid, 5.5–6 mm long, 1.25–1.5 mm broad, ±pointed.</description> <distribution>Lord Howe Is. Also known from similar habitats in southern Qld and in N.S.W.</distribution> <habitat>Common as an epiphyte on tree fern trunks in the mountains.</habitat> <specimens>L.H.Is.: top of Mt Gower, M.M.J. van Balgooy 1119 (CANB); loc. id., P.S.Green 1593 (A, K); side of Mt Lidgbird, C.Moore 33 (K, MEL).</specimens></taxon> <taxon><rank>family</rank><title>LYCOPODIACEAE</title> <contributors><contributor>P.S.Green</contributor><contributor_address>Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 3AB, England</contributor_address></contributors> <description>Herbaceous, terrestrial or epiphytic herbs. Stems erect, scrambling or pendulous, simple or dichotomously branched. Leaves numerous, small, simple, 1-veined. Sporophylls similar to other leaves or modified and forming compact, terminal spikes ('cones'). Sporangia axillary, 1-locular, homosporous.</description> <distribution>A family of 4 living genera and c. 250 species, pantropical with many southern temperate species. One native genus on each of the Islands.</distribution> <note>In addition to Lycopodium, the type genus, 2 other genera, Huperzia and Lycopodiella, previously treated as part of Lycopodium, are now generally recognised as distinct. The fourth is Phylloglossum, a monotypic genus from Australia and New Zealand.</note> <bibliography>G.Bentham, Lycopodiaceae, Fl. Austral. 7: 670–682 (1878); D.L.Jones & S.C.Clemesha, Lycopodiaceae, Austral. Ferns & Fern Allies 2nd edn, 20–27 (1981); F.M.Tryon & A.F.Tryon, Lycopodiaceae, Ferns & Allied Pl. 796–812 (1982); B.Øllgaard, A revised classification of the Lycopodiaceae s. lat., Opera Bot. 92: 153–178 (1987); D.L.Jones, Lycopodiaceae, Encycl. Ferns 364–368 (1987); B.Øllgaard, Index of the Lycopodiaceae, Biol. Skr. 34: 1–135 (1989); 15 P.J.Brownsey & J.C.Smith-Dodsworth, Lycopodiaceae, New Zealand Ferns Allied Pl. 19–24 (1989).</bibliography> KEY TO GENERA Roots in a basal tuft; branches clustered together; branch dichotomies equal Roots occurring at nodes along stem; branch dichotomies unequal 1. HUPERZIA 2. LYCOPODIELLA </taxon> <taxon><rank>gen.</rank><parent>LYCOPODIACEAE</parent><seq>1< /seq><title>1 . HUPERZIA</title> <name_info><name>Huperzia</name><author>Bernh.</author><protologue><ref>J. Bot. (Schrader) 1800(2): 126</ref><date>(1801)</date></protologue></name_info><etymology>named after Johann Peter Huperz (?–1816), a German botanist who wrote on ferns</etymology> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><type>Type: Mart.</type></synonym></synonymy> H. selago (L.) Schrank & <description>Epiphytic or terrestrial. Stems all similar, ascending or pendulous; branches bifurcating equally and of ±equal length; roots in a single basal tuft. Sporophylls resembling sterile leaves or reduced, persistent. Strobili ('cones') made up of sporangia in the axils of unmodified or reduced leaves, erect, merging into vegetative shoots or distinct. Sporangia reniform, shortly pedunculate. Prothallus subterranean, saprophytic.</description> <distribution>A cosmopolitan genus of 200 or more species; 1 species native to Lord Howe Is.</distribution> <bibliography>G.Bentham, Lycopodiaceae, Lycopodium, Fl. Austral. 7: 674 (1878).</bibliography> </taxon> <taxon><seq>1</seq><parent>Huperzia</parent><name_info><name>varia</name><a uthor>(R.Br.) Trev.</author><protologue><ref>Atti Soc. Ital. Sci. Nat. 17: 247</ref><date>(1874)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><citation>Lycopodium varium R.Br., Prodr. 165 (1810); Lycopodium selago var. varium (R.Br.) F.Muell., Fragm. 10: 118 (1877); Urostigma varius (R.Br.) Herter ex Nessel, Bärlappgewächse 192 (1939).</citation><type>T: Tasmania, 1804, R.Brown; holo: BM. The epithet is the Latin for diverse, presumably alluding to the leaves either spreading or overlapping.</type></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Lycopodium myrtifolium auct. non G.Forst.: G.Bentham, Fl. Austral. 7: 674 (1876) et auct. mult.]</citation></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Lycopodium nutans auct. non Brack.: J.H.Maiden, Proc. Linn. Soc. New South Wales 24: 383 (1899)]</citation></synonym></synonymy> <illustrations>Illustrations: D.L.Jones & S.C.Clemesha, Austral. Ferns & Fern Allies 2nd edn, 23, fig. 6b (1981), as L. myrtifolium; B.Duncan & G.Isaac, Ferns & Allied Pl. Victoria, Tasmania & S. Australia 41 (1986), as L. varium; S.B.Andrews, Ferns Queensland 233, fig. 20.4A (1990), as L. myrtifolium.</illustrations> <description>Terrestrial, perennial, ±erect, up to 50 cm high, usually less; ±tufted bran ches relatively few. Leaves crowded, narrowly lanceolate-linear, 10–15 mm long, 2–3 mm broad, 16 ±blunt. Cone slender, (3–) 6–15 cm long, 3–5 mm broad; sporophylls imbricate in 4 rows, variable, some ±intermediate with vegetative leaves, ovate, 2–5 mm long, entire, cuspidate.</description> <distribution>Lord Howe Is. Known from the upper slopes of Mt Gower. Also known from Australia (southern Qld, N.S.W., Vic. and Tas.) and New Zealand.</distribution> <conservation_status>Classified as 'rare, very uncommon' Conservation 27: 139, 1983).</conservation_status> by J.Pickard (Biol. <specimens>L.H.Is.: N ridge of Mt Gower, P.S.Green 1649 (K); summit of Mt Gower, J.P.Fullagar (K, MEL).</specimens> </taxon> <taxon><rank>gen.</rank><parent>LYCOPODIACEAE</parent><seq>2</seq><title>2 . LYCOPODIELLA</title> <name_info><name>Lycopodiella</name><author>Holub</author><protologue><re f>Preslia 36: 22</ref><date>(1964)</date></protologue></name_info><etymology>the name is derived from that of the related Lycopodium plus the diminutive suffix ella</etymology> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><type>Type: Holub.</type></synonym></synonymy> L. inundatum (L.) <description>Terrestrial ferns, of diverse habit. Rhizome indeterminate, roo ting. Stems erect, simple or branched. Sporophylls and vegetative leaves dissimilar; sporophylls ephemeral, usually subpeltate. Cones terminal on simple branches or apparently lateral, pendulous or erect. Prothallus green, hemisaprophytic.</description> <distribution>A genus of c. 40 species, mostly from the Americas; 1 species native to Norfolk Is.</distribution> <bibliography>G.Bentham, Lycopodiaceae, Lycopodium, Fl. Austral. 7: 676 (1878).</bibliography> </taxon> <taxon><seq>1</seq><parent>Lycopodiella</parent><name_info><name>cernua</nam e><author>(L.) Pic.Serm.</author><protologue><ref>Webbia 23: 166</ref><date>(1968)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><citation>Lycopodium cernuum L., Sp. Pl. 2: 1103 (1753).</citation><type>T: locality unknown, LINN 1257.15; holo: LINN; IDC microfiche 177/2.735/15. Named from the Latin cernuus (nodding), alluding to the inclination of the cones.</type></synonym></synonymy> <illustrations>Illustrations: D.L.Jones, Encycl. Ferns 365, 366 (1987); P.J.Brownsey & J.C.SmithDodsworth, New Zealand Ferns & Allied Pl. 20, fig. 20, t. 2B (1989); S.B.Andrews, Ferns Queensland 227, fig. 20.1B (1990); all as Lycopodium cernuum.</illustrations> <description>Rhizome long-creeping; stems to 1 m high, much branched in upper part. Leaves crowded, linear-subulate, 3–5 mm long. Cones solitary on nodding tips of branchlets, oblong, 0.5–1 (–1.5) cm long, obtuse; sporophylls closely overlapping, ovate, denticulate, cuspidate.</description> <common_name>Club Moss.</common_name> <distribution>Norfolk Is. Possibly a relatively recent arrival. This species has a pantropical distribution.</distribution> <habitat>In open areas in the forest.</habitat> <specimens>N.Is.: valley S of Mt Bates, P.S.Green 1896 (K); s. loc., B.Chapman in J.D.McComish 253 (K).</specimens></taxon> 17 <taxon><rank>doubtful</rank><parent>LYCOPODIACEAE</parent><seq>1</seq><tit le> Doubtful record </title> <note>Lycopodium deuterodensum Herter, Index Lycopod. 15 (1949) (L. densum Labill. nom. illeg. non Lam.) has been recorded from Norfolk Is., first by Bentham (Fl. Austral. 7: 676, 1878) and subsequently copied by other authors, but a search has failed to find any specimen upon which this record could be based, and the species has not been found since on the Island.</note></taxon> <taxon><rank>family</rank><title>SELAGINELLACEAE</title> <description>Terrestrial herbs, erect or creeping, often with rhizophores, usually much branched. Leaves numerous, small, 1-veined, with a small ligule, often of two kinds borne in two planes. Sporophylls in compact, terminal strobili (cones); sporangia axillary, producing 1–4 relatively large megaspores or very numerous, minute microspores; megasporangia and microsporangia usually in same spike.</description> <distribution>A monogeneric family of perhaps 700 or more species, found mostly in the humid tropical or subtropical regions of the world, but with a few temperate species; 1 species naturalised on Norfolk Is.</distribution> <bibliography>G.Bentham, Lycopodiaceae, Fl. Austral. 7: 677–679 (1878); A.H.G.Alston, The genus Selaginella in the Malay Peninsula, Gard. Bull. Straits Settlem. 8: 41–62 (1934); A.H.G.Alston, The Selaginellae of the Malay Islands, 1, Java and the Lesser Sunda Islands, Bull. Jard. Bot. Buitenzorg 13: 432–442 (1935); A.H.G.Alston, The Selaginellae of the Malay Islands, 2, Sumatra, Bull. Jard. Bot. Buitenzorg 14: 175–186 (1937); K.M.Wong, Critical Observations on Peninsular Malaysian Selaginella, Gard. Bull. Singapore 35: 107–135 (1982).</bibliography> </taxon> <taxon><rank>gen.</rank><parent>SELAGINELLACEAE</parent><seq>1</seq><title >SELAGINELLA</title> <name_info><name>Selaginella</name><author>P.Beauv.</author><protologue><r ef>Mag. Encycl. Paris IX 5: 478</ref><date>(1804)</date></protologue></name_info><etymology>a diminutive of selago, a name used by Pliny for a plant resembling a Mediterranean species of juniper</etymology> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><type>Type: S. spinosa P.Beauv., nom. illeg. = S. selaginoides (L.) Link</type></synonym></synonymy> <distribution>A large genus of perhaps 700 or more species found mostly in humid tropical and subtropical regions of the world.</distribution> </taxon> 18 <taxon><seq>1</seq><name_symbol>*</name_symbol><parent>Selaginella</parent>< name_info><name>kraussiana</name><author>(Kunze) A.Braun</author><protologue><ref>Index Sem. Hort. Bot. Berol. App. 22</ref><date>(1859)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><citation>Lycopodium kraussianum Kunze, Linnaea 18: 114 (1844).</citation><type>T: Natal, South Africa, C.F.F. von Krauss; iso: K. Named after the collector of the type specimen.</type></synonym></synonymy> <illustrations>Illustrations: B.D.Duncan & G.Isaac, Ferns & Allied Pl. Victoria, Tasmania & S. Australia 52, fig. 4.15C, 54, fig. 4.18 (1986); D.L.Jones, Encycl. Ferns 52, 371 (1987); S.B.Andrews, Ferns Queensland 319, fig. 33.1D (1990).</illustrations> <description>Trailing herb, 20–30 cm long, much branched, with a rhizophore at each branching. Leaves of two forms: lateral leaves crowded on terminal branches, lanceolateoblong, 2–3 mm long, acute; median leaves appressed, lanceolate, 1.5–2 mm long, acuminate, slightly keeled. Cones, when produced, narrow, 5 mm long; sporophylls ovate, acuminate, keeled.</description> <distribution>Occurs on Norfolk Is.</distribution> <habitat>A garden escape, persisting as a weed in a few places.</habitat> <specimens>N.Is.: New Cascade Rd, W.R.Sykes NI 658 (CHR).</specimens></taxon> <taxon><rank>doubtful</rank><parent>SELAGINELLACEAE</parent><seq>1</seq> <title> Doubtful record </title> <note>Selaginella uliginosa (Labill.) Spring was recorded by G.Bentham (Fl. Austral. 7: 678, 1878) from Lord Howe Is., based on a collection by C.Moore. This has not been traced and it is believed that the specimen at Kew annotated in Baker's hand: 'Lord Howe's Island Hb. Macleay recd. 5/73' is mislabelled.</note></taxon> <taxon><rank>family</rank><title>OPHIOGLOSSACEAE</title> <description>Terrestrial or epiphytic herbs; rhizome short, erect. Fronds solitary or few, simple or divided. Sporangia borne in a simple or branched spike which arises on or at the top of the common stipe of the lamina. Sporangia numerous, large, without an annulus, many-spored, in Ophioglossum ±sunk into the surrounding tissue.</description> <distribution>A worldwide family of 4 genera and c. 55 species; 2 genera native to Lord Howe Is., 1 also native to Norfolk Is.</distribution> <bibliography>G.Bentham, Filices, Tribe Ophioglosseae, Fl. Austral. 7: 688– 690 (1878); R.T.Clausen, A Monograph of the Ophioglossaceae, Mem. Torrey Bot. Club 19: 1–77 (1938); J.H.Wieffering, A preliminary revision of the Indo -Pacific species of Ophioglossum (Ophioglossaceae), Blumea 12: 321–337 (1964); R.E.Holttum, Fl. Malaya (Ferns) 2nd edn, 2: 38–42 (1968); D.L.Jones & S.C.Clemesha, Austral. Ferns & Fern Allies 2nd edn, 57, 62–63 (1981); R.M.Tryon & F.M.Tryon, Ferns & Allied Pl. 25–39 (1982).</bibliography> KEY TO GENERA Sterile lamina simple, or the upper end sometimes once branched; venation reticulate Sterile lamina compound; venation open and dichotomous 1. OPHIOGLOSSUM 2. BOTRYCHIUM 19 </taxon> <taxon><rank>gen.</rank><parent>OPHIOGLOSSACEAE</parent><seq>1</seq ><titl e>1. OPHIOGLOSSUM</title> <name_info><name>Ophioglossum</name><author>L.</author><protologue><ref> Sp. Pl. 2: 1062</ref><date>(1753)</date></protologue></name_info><etymology>Gen. Pl. 5th edn, 484 (1754); from the Greek ophis (snake) and glossa (tongue), from Adder's Tongue, the folk-name in several languages</etymology> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><type>Type: O. vulgatum L.</type></synonym></synonymy> <description>Terrestrial, perennial or annual herbs. Fronds erect or pendulous, somewhat fleshy, with a stipe which is common to the fertile spike(s); lamina simple or palmately lobed, with reticulate venation; primary areoles with free veinlets. Sporangia borne in 1 – several, simple, stalked spikes; sporangia ±immersed in 2 marginal rows, dehiscing by transverse slits.</description> <distribution>A cosmopolitan but mainly tropical genus of 25–30 species. Four native species on Lord Howe Is., with 1 also on Norfolk Is.</distribution> <bibliography>G.Bentham, Filices, Ophioglossum, Fl. Austral. 7: 688–689 (1878).</bibliography> 1 Terrestrial herb; fronds erect, lamina 1–6 cm long 2 Sterile lamina broadly ovate, broadly obtuse to subtruncate at base, venation clearly reticulate; plants 3–7 cm tall; spike with peduncle 1.2– 4 cm long 2: Sterile lamina lanceolate, ovate-lanceolate or elliptic, obtuse to narrowly acute at base, venation clearly or obscurely reticulate; plants 5–20 cm tall; spike with peduncle (1.5–) 4–14 cm long 1. O. reticulatum 3 Sterile lamina thick, with obvious venation, lanceolate to ovatelanceolate, ±obtuse at base; spike 2–5 cm long, with peduncle (1.5–) 5–14 cm long 2. O. petiolatum 3: Sterile lamina somewhat thick with venation ±obscure, elliptic to broadly elliptic, rarely somewhat narrowly lanceolate, acute to narrowly acute at base; spike 0.5–4 cm long, with peduncle 4–8 cm long 3. O. coriaceum 1: Epiphytic herb; fronds pendulous; lamina 30–100 cm long </taxon> 4. O. pendulum <taxon><seq>1</seq><parent>Ophioglossum</parent><name_info><name>reticulatum </name><author>L.</author><protologue><ref>Sp. Pl. 2: 1063</ref><date>(1753)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><type>T: Haiti, not designated; lecto: C.Plumier, Traité Foug. Amér. t. 164 (1705), fide G.R.Proctor in R.A.Howard, Fl. Lesser Antilles 2: 43 (1977). So named from the reticulate venation.</type></synonym></synonymy> <illustrations>Illustrations: J.H.Wieffering, Blumea 12: 325 (1964); G.Brownlie, Pterido. Fl. Fiji 47, t. 4, fig. 1 (1977); P.G.Wilson in G.J.Harden, Fl. New South Wales 1: 18 (1990).</illustrations> <description>Terrestrial herb 3–7 cm tall. Fronds erect. Sterile lamina broadly ovate, 1.5–2.5 cm long, (0.8–) 1.2–1.5 cm broad, broadly obtuse to subtruncate at base, acute at apex, venation evident. Fertile spike 0.8–1.2 cm long on a stipe 1.2–4 cm long.</description> 20 <distribution>Lord Howe Is. Rare? Of pantropical distribution. Very recently collected for the first time on the Island from a small, very local population growing in a mossy substrate. Not known from Australia or New Zealand.</distribution> <specimens>L.H.Is.: The Saddle, I.Hutton 578 (K).</specimens> <note>The description above is based on Hutton 578, cited above; with further collections the dimensions may be increased slightly. It appears to coincide with J.H.Wieffering's figure of O. reticulatum f. dilatatum (Miq.) Wieff. in Blumea 12: 325 (1964).</note> </taxon> <taxon><seq>2</seq><parent>Ophioglossum</parent><name_info><name>petiolatum </name><author>Hook.</author><protologue><ref>Exot. Fl. 1: 56</ref><date>(1823)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><type>T: cult., grown from a sporeling on the root o f a plant introduced from the West Indies; holo: K. So named from the conspicuously petiolate leaves.</type></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Ophioglossum vulgatum auct. non L.: J.H.Maiden, Proc. Linn. Soc. New South Wales 28: 740 (1904); R.M.Laing, Trans. & Proc. New Zealand Inst. 47: 15 (1915)]</citation></synonym></synonymy> <illustrations>Illustrations: D.L.Jones, Encycl. Ferns 58 (1987); P.J.Brownsey & J.C.SmithDodsworth, New Zealand Ferns & Allied Pl. 35, fig. 36, t. 4F (1989); S.B.Andrews, Ferns Queensland 262, fig. 25.3B (1990).</illustrations> <description>Terrestrial herb 10–20 cm tall. Fronds erect. Sterile lamina thick, lanceolate to ovate-lanceolate, 2–6 cm long, 1–2 cm broad, widest in the lower half, basally ±obtuse, apically acute; venation evident. Spike 2–5 cm long, with peduncle (1.5–) 5–14 cm long.</description> <distribution>Norfolk Is., Lord Howe Is. Rare, dying down in summer. Also known from New Zealand, the Kermadec Islands, all Australian States and New Caledonia.</distribution> <specimens>N.Is.: Mt Pitt, F.C.Allen CHR229320 (CHR); s. loc., R.M.Laing (CHR); s. loc., 1902, I.Robinson (NSW). L.H.Is.: North Beach, I.R.H.Telford 7049 & M.D.Crisp (CBG).</specimens> <note>Ophioglossum petiolatum is sometimes included in O. reticulatum by Australian authors (e.g. P.G.Wilson in G.J.Harden, Fl. New South Wales 1: 18, 1990).</note> </taxon> <taxon><seq>3</seq><parent>Ophioglossum</parent><name_info><name>coriaceum< /name><author>A.Cunn.</author><protologue><ref>Companion Bot. Mag. 2: 361</ref><date>(1837)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><type>T: New Zealand, A.Cunningham 161; holo: K. The epithet refers to the thick or coriaceous texture of the leaf lamina.</type></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>Ophioglossum vulgatum var. lanceolatum Luerss., J. Mus. Godeffroy 8: 115 (1875); Ophioglossum prantlii C.Chr., Index Filic. 471 (1906); Ophioglossum vulgatum var. prantlii (C.Chr.) W.R.B.Oliv., Trans. & Proc. New Zealand Inst. 49: 126 (1917).</citation><type>T: Rockhampton, Queensland, A.Dietrich 513; holo: ?HBG n.v.; iso: BM.</type></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Ophioglossum vulgatum auct. non L.: W.W.Watts, Proc. Linn. Soc. New South Wales 37: 396 (1912)]</citation></synonym></synonymy> <illustrations>Illustrations: C.Luerrsen, J. Mus. Godeffroy 8: t. 13, figs 66–76 (1875); P.J.Brownsey & J.C.Smith-Dodsworth, New Zealand Ferns & Allied Pl. 35, fig. 35, t. 4E (1989); P.G.Wilson in G.J.Harden, Fl. New South Wales 1: 18 (1990).</illustrations> <description>Terrestrial, erect herb 5–15 cm tall. Sterile lamina somewhat thick, narrowly to broadly elliptic, rarely somewhat lanceolate, (1–) 2–4 (–5) cm long, 0.6–2 (usually c. 1.2) cm broad, usually widest towards middle, basally acute to narrowly acute, venation ±obscure. Spike 0.5–4 cm long, with peduncle 4–8 cm long.</description> 21 <image kind="fig"><image_text>Fig. 101B.</image_text><image_url>v*****_f*****.jpg</image_url></image> <distribution>Lord Howe Is. Of scattered occurrence throughout the Island, but never common. Also known from all Australian States and New Zealand.</distribution> <specimens>L.H.Is.: Johnsons Farm, 1911, W.W.Watts (NSW); Mt Eliza, A.C.Beauglehole 4745 (CANB, MEL); Erskine Valley, A.C.Beauglehole 5744 (CANB, MEL).</specimens> <note>Variable in size, and to some extent in the shape of the sterile laminas, this species has been the cause of much taxonomic confusion and is sometimes included in O. lusitanicum by Australian authors (e.g. R.Chinnock in J.P.Jessop & H.R.Toelken, Fl. S. Australia 4th edn, 1: 84, 1986).</note> </taxon> <taxon><seq>4</seq><parent>Ophioglossum</parent><name_info><name>pendulum< /name><author>L. in Stickman</author><protologue><ref>Herb. Amboin. 27</ref><date>(1754)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><type>T: illustration in G.E.Rumphius, Herb. Amboin. 6: t. 37, fig. 3 (1750); an illustration of Scolopendria major. Named in allusion to its pendulous fronds.</type></synonym></synonymy> <illustrations>Illustrations: D.L.Jones & S.C.Clemesha, Austral. Ferns & Fern Allies 2nd edn, 62, fig. 37d (1981); D.L.Jones, Encycl. Ferns 346 (1987); S.B.Andrews, Ferns Queensland 260, fig. 25.2A (1990).</illustrations> <description>Epiphyte, rhizome short. Sterile lamina 1–several, pendulous, strap-shaped, 30–100 cm long, 1–3 cm broad, gradually narrowed into an indefinite stipe, rounded, with apical part sometimes dichotomously forked; veins narrowly reticulate. Spike 6 –15 cm long, 5–8 mm broad, arising from middle, or towards base of lamina; peduncle 2–5 cm long.</description> <distribution>Lord Howe Is. Rare. Also known from Madagascar, Ceylon and Malesia, to Australia (Qld and northern N.S.W.), and to the south-western Pacific islands, but not on Norfolk Is. or New Zealand.</distribution> <habitat>Growing in pockets of humus, for example, Platycerium, and probably overlooked there.</habitat> in and above plants of <specimens>L.H.Is.: Boat Harbour track. I.Hutton 585 (K); s. loc., 1948, M.Nicholls (NSW).</specimens> </taxon> <taxon><rank>gen.</rank><parent>OPHIOGLOSSACEAE</parent><seq>2</seq><titl e>2. BOTRYCHIUM</title> <name_info><name>Botrychium</name><author>Sw.</author><protologue><ref>J. Bot. (Schrader) 1800(2): 8, 110</ref><date>(1801)</date></protologue></name_info><etymology>from the Greek botrychios, a diminutive derived from botrys (a bunch of grapes), in allusion to the appearance of the fertile portion of these plants</etymology> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><type>Type: Sw.</type></synonym></synonymy> B. lunaria (L.) <description>Perennial, terrestrial herbs. Fronds 1 or 2, erect, with a common stipe bearing sterile and fertile parts; venation open, dichotomous. Sporangia numerous, glob ose, naked, not immersed in surrounding tissue.</description> <distribution>A worldwide genus of c. 40 species; 1 species native to Lord Howe Is.</distribution> <bibliography>G.Bentham, Filices, Botrychium, Fl. Austral. 7: 689–690 (1878).</bibliography> </taxon> 22 <taxon><seq>1</seq><parent>Botrychium</parent><name_info><name>australe</nam e><author>R.Br.</author><protologue><ref>Prodr. 164</ref><date>(1810)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><type>T: Port Jackson and Tasmania, Australia, 1802 & 1803, R.Brown; syn: BM. Named from the Latin australis (southern), referring to the Southern Hemisphere distribution of this species.</type></synonym></synonymy> <illustrations>Illustrations: D.L.Jones & S.C.Clemesha, Austral. Ferns & Fern Allies 2nd edn, 57, fig. 51 (1981); P.J.Brownsey & J.C.Smith-Dodsworth, New Zealand Ferns & Allied Pl. 33, fig. 32, t. 4B (1989); S.B.Andrews, Ferns Queensland 257, fig. 25.1A (1990).</illustrations> <description>Herb, 15–30 (–40) cm tall. Sterile lamina with numerous, deep divisions, ±triangular in outline, (6–) 8–10 (–15) cm long, (6–) 8–10 (–15) cm broad at base. Fertile sporangiophore also much branched; sporangia very numerous, globose, c. 1 mm diam., opening by a transverse slit.</description> <distribution>Lord Howe Is. Rare. Also known from eastern Australia and New Zealand.</distribution> <habitat>Found in shade.</habitat> <specimens>L.H.Is.: in the vicinity of the post office, 1920, J.L.Boorman (NSW); The Saddle, J.Pickard 3626 (NSW).</specimens></taxon> <taxon><rank>family</rank><title>MARATTIACEAE</title> <contributors><contributor>P.S.Green</contributor><contributor_address>Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 3AB, England</contributor_address></contributors> <description>Large terrestrial ferns with massive, erect or creeping, fleshy rhizome. Fronds small to very large, simple or pinnately compound, attached by an enlarged joint and stipule like outgrowth. Sporangia in rounded or elongate dorsal sori, free or connate into thickwalled synangia opening by a ventral, longitudinal slit; homosporous.</description> <distribution>A family of 5 genera and c. 200 species, from the moist tropics and subtropics; 1 genus native to the Islands.</distribution> </taxon> <taxon><rank>gen.</rank><parent>MARATTIACEAE</parent><seq>1</seq><title>M ARATTIA</title> <name_info><name>Marattia</name><author>Sw.</author><protologue><ref> Prodr. 128</ref><date>(1788)</date></protologue></name_info><etymology>named after the Italian botanist, Giovanni Francesco Marratti (?–1777)</etymology> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><type>Type: M. alata Sw.</type></synonym></synonymy> <description>Medium-sized to massive ferns; rhizomes stout. Fronds with a pair of fleshy stipules at base of stipe, pinnately compound, with base of pinnae pulvinate; veins free, simple or forked. Sporangia coalescent in double row to form oval to oblong or rounded synangia along each side of midvein.</description> <distribution>A genus of c. 60 species, distributed in most tropical countries, and reaching New Zealand and Japan; 1 native species on each of the Islands.</distribution> <bibliography>G.Bentham, Filices, Marattia, Fl. Austral. 7: 694–695 (1878).</bibliography> 23 Synangia (1–) 1.5–2.5 mm long, with (6–) 7–14 (–16) pairs of sori; base of midveins of pinnae on undersides with scattered, cobwebby scales (N.Is.) Synangia 2–3.5 mm long, with (15–) 20–22 pairs of sori; base of midveins on undersides glabrous (L.H.Is.) </taxon> 1. M. salicina 2. M. howeana <taxon><seq>1</seq><parent>Marattia</parent><name_info><name>salicina</name>< author>Sm. in A.Rees</author><protologue><ref>Cycl. 22: Marattia No. 6</ref><date>(1812)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><type>T: 'New South Wales' [Norfolk Island], Molesworth in Herb. Smith 1644.3; holo: LINN n.v.; photo seen (IDC microfiche 5073-837/15). The epithet comes from the Latin salix (willow), in allusion to the willow-shaped leaflets.</type></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>Marattia elegans Endl., Prodr. Fl. Norfolk. (1833).</citation><type>T: Norfolk Island, 1804–1805, F.L.Bauer; holo: W.</type></synonym> 6 <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Marattia fraxinea auct. non Sm.: J.H.Maiden, Proc. Linn. Soc. New South Wales 28: 740 (1904); R.M.Laing, Trans. & Proc. New Zealand Inst. 47: 15 (1915)]</citation></synonym></synonymy> <illustrations>Illustrations: S.Firth et al., Ferns New Zealand 58 (1986); D.L.Jones, Encycl. Ferns 15 (1987); P.J.Brownsey & J.C.Smith-Dodsworth, New Zealand Ferns & Allied Pl. 36, fig. 37, t. 5A (1989).</illustrations> <description>Large, robust fern. Stipes 2 m long; lamina 1–4 m long, 2- or 3-pinnate; pinnae alternate; pinnules shortly petiolulate, narrowly lanceolate, 8–15 cm long, 1–2 cm broad, finely serrate, acute, with scattered, long cobwebby scaly hairs beneath, especially towards base and midrib. Synangia marginal, 8–10 per cm, (1–) 1.5–2.5 mm long, with (6–) 7–14 (– 16) pairs of sori.</description> <common_name>King Fern.</common_name> <image kind="fig"><image_text>Fig. 101E.</image_text><image_url>v*****_f*****.jpg</image_url></image> <distribution>Norfolk Is. On the south-eastern slopes of Mts Pitt and Bates, vulnerable. Also known from New Zealand.</distribution> <habitat>Found in valleys.</habitat> <specimens>N.Is.: King Fern Gully, E slope of Mt Pitt, R.D.Hoogland 11192 (CANB, K, NSW); s. loc., 1884, I.Robinson (MEL, NSW).</specimens> <note>Although in his original description Smith ascribed the plant to N.S.W., no Marattia occurs there and it is most probable that he had received what was the Norfolk Is. plant, via Port Jackson [Sydney] (see A.H.G.Alston, J. Bot. 74: 74, 1936).</note> </taxon> <taxon><seq>2</seq><parent>Marattia</parent><name_info><name>howeana</name> <author>(W.R.B.Oliv.) P.S.Green</author><protologue><ref> Kew Bull. 43: 655</ref><date>(1988)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><citation>Marattia fraxinea var. howeana W.R.B.Oliv., Trans. & Proc. New Zealand Inst. 49: 125 (1917).</citation><type>T: Deep Creek, Lord Howe Island, W.R.B.Oliver; holo: WELT. The epithet is derived from the name of the island on which this fern is endemic.</type></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Marattia salicina auct. non Sm.: F.J.H. von Mueller, Fragm. 10: 118 (1877)]</citation></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Marattia fraxinea auct. non Sm.: G.Bentham, Fl. Austral. 7: 695 (1879); W.B.Hemsley, Ann. Bot. (London) 10: 267 (1896)]</citation></synonym> 24 <synonym kind="tax"><citation>Marattia salicina Sm. subsp.: G.L.Lucas & A.H.M.Synge, IUCN Red Data Book 41 (1978); A.N.Rodd & J.Pickard, Cunninghamia 1: 269 (1983).</citation></synonym></synonymy> <illustrations>Illustration: (1984).</illustrations> C.J.Goudey, Austral. Fern J. 1: fig. 12 [but not fig. 13] <description>Large, robust fern. Fronds up to 4 m long, 2 - or 3-pinnate; pinnae alternate; pinnules very shortly petiolulate, lanceolate, 6–9 cm long, 1–2 cm broad, distinctly crenulate, ±abruptly acuminate, glabrous. Synangia submarginal, 8 or 9 per cm, 2–3.5 mm long, with 15–22 pairs of sori.</description> <common_name>Horse Shoe Fern, King Fern.</common_name> <image kind="fig"><image_text>Fig. D.</image_text><image_url>v*****_f*****.jpg</image_url></image> 101C– <distribution>Lord Howe Is. Endemic, and threatened. Occurs in the mountainous southern half of the Island.</distribution> <habitat>Found beside streams in dense forest.</habitat> <specimens>L.H.Is.: Eddies Cave, J.Pickard 3591 (NSW); N side of Erskine Valley, A.C.Beauglehole 5746 (CANB, MEL); loc. id., P.S.Green 2367 (K); Big Ck, C.Moore 21 & 64 (K, MEL).</specimens> <note>Related to M. attenuata Labill. of New Caledonia.</note></taxon> <taxon><rank>family</rank><title>OSMUNDACEAE</title> <contributors><contributor>P.S.Green</contributor><contributor_address>Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 3AB, England</contributor_address></contributors> <description>Terrestrial ferns. Rhizomes short or trunk-like, without hairs or scales. Fronds uniform or dimorphic, 1–3-pinnate; veins free. Sporangia not aggregated in sori, large, maturing simultaneously, opening by vertical slits; rudimentary annulus represented by a group of thick-walled cells.</description> <distribution>A family of 3 genera and 18 species, of worldwide representation; 1 genus native to Lord Howe Is.</distribution> </taxon> <taxon><rank>gen.</rank><parent>OSMUNDACEAE</parent><seq>1</seq><title>LE PTOPTERIS</title> <name_info><name>Leptopteris</name><author>C.Presl</author><protologue><ref >Suppl. Tent. Pterid. 70</ref><date>(1845)</date></protologue></name_info><etymology>from the Greek leptos (thin or slender) and pteris (fern), in allusion to the thin texture of these delicate ferns</etymology> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><type>Type: C.Presl</type></synonym></synonymy> L. hymenophylloides (A.Rich.) <description>Ferns with stout, erect trunk up to 1 m tall. Fronds 2 - or 3-pinnate or 3-pinnatepinnatisect, very thin, lacking mesophyll and stomata. Sporangia naked, clustered around basal region of veins on dorsal surface of pinnules.</description> 25 <distribution>A genus of c. 7 species from Papua New Guinea, eastern Australia, New Zealand, Vanuatu, Fiji and Samoa. One species endemic to Lord Howe Is.</distribution> <habitat>Characteristic of very humid situations.</habitat> <bibliography>G.Bentham, Filicales, Tribe Osmundeae, Todea, Fl. Austral. 7: 699–700 (1878).</bibliography> </taxon> <taxon><seq>1</seq><parent>Leptopteris</parent><name_info><name>moorei</name ><author>(Baker) H.Christ</author><protologue><ref>Farnkr. Erde 335</ref><date>(1897)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><citation>Todea moorei Baker, J. Bot. 11: 16 (1873); Osmunda moorei (Baker) F.Muell., Fragm. 9: 78 (1875).</citation><type>T: summit of Mt Gower, Lord Howe Island, R.D.Fitzgerald; holo: K. Named after Charles Moore, (1820–1905), Director of the Botanic Gardens, Sydney, (1849–1896), who collected on Lord Howe Is. in 1869.</type></synonym></synonymy> <illustrations>Illustration: J.G.Baker, Hooker's Icon. Pl. 17: t. 1697 (1887).</illustrations> <description>Fern with trunk 20–30 cm tall. Fronds delicate, 0.5–1 m long, 30–45 cm broad, 2- or 3-pinnate or pinnatisect; pinnules numerous, overlapping, lanceolate, bluntly denticulate.</description> <image kind="fig"><image_text>Fig. 101F.</image_text><image_url>v*****_f*****.jpg</image_url></image> <distribution>Lord Howe Is. Endemic and confined to the summit of Mt Gower, vulnerable.</distribution> <specimens>L.H.Is.: Mt Gower, C.Moore 17 (K, MEL); summit of Mt Gower, J.Pickard 2623 & 2629 (NSW).</specimens></taxon> <taxon><rank>family</rank><title>SCHIZAEACEAE</title> <contributors><contributor>P.S.Green</contributor><contributor_address>Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 3AB, England</contributor_address></contributors> <note>There is a specimen of the climbing fern Lygodium japonicum (Thunb.) Sw., in the herbarium of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney labelled 'Norfolk Island' in J.H.Maiden's hand, but although this fern is known from tropical Australia this record for Norfolk Is. has not been confirmed and the specimen may be presumed to have been mislabelled.</note></taxon> <taxon><rank>family</rank><title>HYMENOPHYLLACEAE</title> <contributors><contributor>P.S.Green</contributor><contributor_address>Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 3AB, England</contributor_address></contributors> <description>Epiphytic, lithophytic or terrestrial ferns of humid places. Rhizomes slender, long-creeping or short and suberect. Fronds diverse; lamina membranous, only one cell thick, without stomata. Sori marginal at vein endings; sporangia on short or elong ate receptacles enclosed in tubular or cup-like indusia, often 2-lobed; sporangia developing basipetally, sessile, with an oblique or horizontal annulus.</description> 26 <distribution>A family with a variable number of genera between 2 and 34, depending on t he authority followed, but containing c. 600 species, most abundant in the wet tropics; 2 genera native on each Island.</distribution> <note>They are usually called Filmy Ferns, because of their thin, membranous (usually 1 cell thick), often semi-transparent fronds. For generic classification see Morton (1968) (below), where two of the genera recognised below are treated as sections of the genus Trichomanes.</note> <bibliography>C.V.Morton, The genera, subgenera and sections of Hymenophyllum, Contr. U.S. Natl. Herb. 38: 153–214 (1968); K.Iwatsuki in K.Kubitzki, Families & Genera of Vascular Plants 1: 157–163 (1990).</bibliography> KEY TO GENERA 1 Involucre cup-shaped and 2-lipped or ±deeply 2-lobed; receptacle usually not exserted; rhizome always slender, often long-creeping 1: Involucre narrowly or broadly tubular, ±truncate and entire, sometimes ±dilated; receptacle often long-exserted; rhizome long-creeping or erect 2 Rhizome wiry, long-creeping 2: Rhizome robust, erect 1. HYMENOPHYLLUM 2. CREPIDOMANES 3. CEPHALOMANES </taxon> <taxon><rank>gen.</rank><parent>HYMENOPHYLLACEAE</parent><seq>1</seq>< title>1. HYMENOPHYLLUM</title> <name_info><name>Hymenophyllum</name><author>Sm.</author><protologue><r ef>Mém. Acad. Roy. Sci. (Turin) 5: 418</ref><date>(1793)</date></protologue></name_info><etymology>from the Greek hymen (a thin membrane) and phyllum (a leaf), in allusion to the texture of the leaves in this genus</etymology> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><type>Type: Sm.</type></synonym></synonymy> H. tunbridgense (L.) <description>Delicate epiphytes; rhizomes slender, often long-creeping. Fronds scattered, ascending or pendent; stipe slender; lamina pinnate or 2–4-pinnatifid, glabrous or hairy; ultimate segments entire or toothed, 1-veined. Sori usually immersed, or partially free; involucre cup-shaped and 2-lipped or ±deeply 2-lobed; receptacle included to longexserted.</description> <distribution>A genus with c. 300 species of widespread distribution in humid habitats; 2 species endemic to Lord Howe Is. For a discussion of subdivisions of this genus see C.V.Morton, loc. cit.</distribution> <bibliography>G.Bentham, Filicales, Hymenophyllum, Fl. Austral. 7: 704– 707 (1878).</bibliography> Fronds 5–12 cm long; ultimate pinnules 0.5–1 mm wide; margins of involucre entire 1. H. howense Fronds 2–6 cm long; ultimate pinnules 1.5–2 mm wide; margins of involucre dentate 2. H. moorei 27 </taxon> <taxon><seq>1</seq><parent>Hymenophyllum</parent><name_info><name>howense </name><author>Brownlie</author><protologue><ref>Pacific Sci. 14: 244</ref><date>(1960)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><type>T: Mt Gower, Lord Howe Island, C.Moore 4; holo: K. Named after the island on which this species occurs.</type></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Hymenophyllum tunbridgense auct. non (L.) Sm.: F.J.H. von Mueller, Fragm. 9: 78 (1875); G.Bentham, Fl. Austral. 7: 706 (1878), p.p.; W.R.B.Oliver, Trans. & Proc. New Zealand Inst. 49: 118 (1917)]</citation></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Hymenophyllum flabellatum auct. non Labill.: G.Bentham, Fl. Austral. 7: 705 (1878), p.p.; W.R.B.Oliver, Trans. & Proc. New Zealand Inst. 49: 118 (1917)]</citation></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Hymenophyllum multifidum auct. non (G.Forst.) Sw.: G.Bentham, Fl. Austral. 7: 708 (1878); A.N.Rodd & J.Pickard, Cunninghamia 1: 269 (1983)]</citation></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Hymenophyllum nitens auct. non R.Br.: R.Tate in J.J.Fletcher, Macleay Mem. Vol. 218 (1893)]</citation></synonym></synonymy> <description>Rhizome creeping, wiry, with reddish brown adpressed hairs. Fronds: stipe 2–5 (–7) cm long, with scattered hairs; lamina triangular-ovate, 4–6 cm long, 2–5 cm broad, 3- or 4-pinnatifid; ultimate divisions narrowly linear, 0.5–1 mm broad, obscurely serrate. Sori not immersed, terminal on short segments of lamina; involucre oblong, rounded, lobes c. half the length of involucre, entire; receptacle eventually exserted.</description> <image kind="fig"><image_text>Fig. H.</image_text><image_url>v*****_f*****.jpg</image_url></image> 101G– <distribution>Lord Howe Is. Endemic in the upper regions of Mts Gower and Lidgbird.</distribution> <habitat>Found especially in moss-forest.</habitat> <specimens>L.H.Is.: top of Mt Gower, P.S.Green 1592 & 1596 (A, K, NSW); summit of Mt Lidgbird, C.Moore 84 (K, NSW); SW cliffs of Mt Lidgbird, A.N.Rodd 1777 (BRI, K, NSW).</specimens> <note>This species belongs to subg. Hymenophyllum, and is closely related to the New Zealand H. multifidum (G.Forst.) Sw., from which it differs in the generall y smaller fronds, obscure teeth and more elongate indusia.</note> </taxon> <taxon><seq>2</seq><parent>Hymenophyllum</parent><name_info><name>moorei</ name><author>Baker in W.J.Hooker & J.G.Baker</author><protologue><ref> Syn. Fil. 2nd edn, 2: 464</ref><date>(1874)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><type>T: Lord Howe Island, C.Moore; holo: K. Named after Charles Moore (1820–1905), Director of the Botanic Gardens, Sydney (1849–1896), who collected on Lord Howe Is. in 1869.</type></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Hymenophyllum pumilum auct. non C.Moore ex Baker: G.Bentham, Fl. Austral. 7: 706 (1878), p.p.; W.R.B.Oliver, Trans. & Proc. New Zealand Inst. 49: 118 (1917)]</citation></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Hymenophyllum minimum auct. non A.Rich.: G.Bentham, Fl. Austral. 7: 706 (1878), p.p.; W.R.B.Oliver, Trans. & Proc. New Zealand Inst. 49: 118 (1917)]</citation></synonym></synonymy> <illustrations>Illustration: E.B.Copeland, Philipp. J. Sci. 64: 91, t. 45 (1937), as H. pumilum.</illustrations> <description>Rhizome shortly creeping, wiry, with reddish brown adpressed hairs. Fronds: stipe 1–3 cm long; lamina ovate-lanceolate in outline, 1–3 cm long, 0.5–2 cm wide, bipinnatifid; ultimate divisions linear, 1.5–2 mm wide, serrate. Sori immersed, lateral; 28 involucre rounded, subtruncate, included.</description> strongly serrate towards apex; receptacle <distribution>Lord Howe Is. Endemic, in the upper regions of Mts Gower and Lidgbird.</distribution> <habitat>Found especially in moss-forest.</habitat> <specimens>L.H.Is.: summit of Mt Gower, P.S.Green 1666 (A, K, NSW); loc. id., 1911, W.W.Watts (BRI, NSW); summit ridge of Mt Lidgbird, J.Pickard 1483 (NSW).</specimens> <note>This species also belongs to subg. Hymenophyllum.</note> </taxon> <taxon><rank>gen.</rank><parent>HYMENOPHYLLACEAE</parent><seq>2</seq>< title>2. CREPIDOMANES</title> <name_info><name>Crepidomanes</name><author>(C.Presl) C.Presl</author><protologue><ref>Epimel. Bot. 258</ref><date>(1851)</date></protologue></name_info><etymology>Trichomanes subg. Crepidomanes C.Presl, op. cit. 17; from the Greek krepis (a slipper) and manos (slender or loose), presumably in allusion to the sori resembling a slender or loose slipper or shoe</etymology> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><type>Type: C.Presl</type></synonym></synonymy> C. intramarginale (Hook. & Grev.) <description>Epiphytic, lithophytic or terrestrial ferns. Rhizome long-creeping, somewhat slender. Fronds usually separated along rhizome; stipe distinct; lamina flabellate, digitate or 1–4-pinnate; false veins present. Sori solitary on tips of lateral or ultimate segments; involucre cup-shaped, ±truncate or 2-lipped; receptacle long-exserted.</description> <distribution>A genus of c. 120 species, mostly from the Old World tropics; 2 species native to Norfolk Is.</distribution> Fronds 3–10 cm long, delicate, slender, irregularly bipinnate Fronds 0.5–2.5 cm long, flabellate, almost circular in outline </taxon> 1. C. endlicherianum 2. C. saxifragoides <taxon><seq>1</seq><parent>Crepidomanes</parent><name_info><name>endlicheria num</name><author>(C.Presl) P.S.Green</author><protologue><ref>Kew Bull. 48: 618</ref><date>(1993)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><citation>Trichomanes endlicherianum C.Presl, Gefässbündel Farrn 25 (1847); Trichomanes humile var. ß in W.J.Hooker & J.G.Baker, Syn. Fil. 80 (1868); Crepidopteris endlicherianum (C.Presl) Copel., Philipp. J. Sci. 67: 58 (1938); Crepidophyllum endlicherianum (C.Presl) H.S.Reed, Amer. Fern J. 38: 89 (1948); Reediella endlicherianum (C.Presl) Pic.Serm., Webbia 24: 719 (1970).</citation><type>T: Norfolk Island, 1804–1805, F.L.Bauer; holo: W. Named after the Austrian botanist Stephan Endlicher (1804–1849), the author of the first Flora of Norfolk Is., his Prodromus Florae Norfolkicae, 1833.</type></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Trichomanes humile auct. non G.Forst.: S.F.L.Endlicher, Prodr. Fl. Norfolk. 17 (1833)]</citation></synonym></synonymy> <illustrations>Illustrations: E.B.Copeland, Philipp. J. Sci. 51: 168, tt. 14, 15 (1933), as Trichomanes endlicheriana; M.Crookes & H.B.Dobbie, New Zealand Ferns 6th edn, 111 (1963), as Crepidopteris endlicheriana; E.Heath & R.J.Chinnock, Ferns & Fern Allies New Zealand 31, t. 65 (1974), as Trichomanes endlicheriana.</illustrations> <description>Epiphytic, lithophytic or terrestrial ferns. Rhizome slender with simple reddish brown hairs. Fronds in scattered groups along rhizome; stip e 1–2 cm long; lamina irregularly bipinnate, 3–10 cm long, 1–2.5 cm broad, delicate, slender, dark green; ultimate segments linear-oblong, 1–5 mm long, obtuse, sometimes slightly emarginate. Sori immersed in tips of 29 lateral segments; indusia tubular, trumpet-shaped; receptacle prominently exserted, 5–12 mm long.</description> <common_name>Middle Filmy Fern.</common_name> <image kind="fig"><image_text>Fig. J.</image_text><image_url>v*****_f*****.jpg</image_url></image> 101I– <distribution>Norfolk Is. Also known from New Zealand, Fiji and Vanuatu, east to Samoa and Tahiti (but not New Caledonia).</distribution> <habitat>Found in the moist, shaded forest, often beside waterfalls.</habitat> <specimens>N.Is.: Now-Now Valley, R.D.Hoogland 11254 (K, NSW); between Palm Glen and Red Rd, M.Lazarides 8090 (CANB, K, NSW); valley S of Mt Bates, P.S.Green 1390 (A, K).</specimens></taxon> <taxon><seq>2</seq><parent>Crepidomanes</parent><name_info><name>saxifragoid es</name><author>(C.Presl) P.S.Green</author><protologue><ref>Kew Bull. 48: 618</ref><date>(1993)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><citation>Trichomanes saxifragoides C.Presl, Hymenophyllaceae 16, 39 (1843); Gonocormus saxifragoides (C.Presl) Bosch, Verh. Kon. Ned. Akad. Wetensch. Afd. Natuurk. 9 (Hymenophyll. Javan.): 9 (1861).</citation><type>T: Philippine Islands, H.Cuming 256; holo: ?PR or ?PRC n.v.; iso: K. So named from a supposed resemblance to some species of Saxifraga.</type></synonym></synonymy> <illustrations>Illustrations: D.L.Jones & S.C.Clemesha, Austral. Ferns & Fern Allies 2nd edn, 44, fig. 20j (1981), as Gonocormus saxifragoides; D.L.Jones, Encycl. Ferns 66 (1987), as Trichomanes saxifragoides; P.G.Wilson in G.J.Harden, Fl. New South Wales 1: 34 (1990), as Gonocormus saxifragoides.</illustrations> <description>Epiphytic or lithophytic fern, often forming large patches. Rhizome very slender, creeping, with simple brown hairs. Fronds: stipe wiry, 0.3–2 cm long, hairy; lamina fan-shaped, subreniform, or almost circular, 0.5–2.5 cm long, delicate, dark-green; segments ±oblong, 1–6 mm long, obtuse, emarginate or bifid. Sori immersed in apices of segments; indusia tubular with broadly dilated mouth; receptacle exserted to 0.5 mm when old.</description> <common_name>Small Filmy Fern.</common_name> <distribution>Norfolk Is. Localised, but not rare, even though first discovered only in the 1960s. Also known from Africa to Japan, and Malesia to north-eastern Australia, New Caledonia, Fiji and Samoa.</distribution> <habitat>Found in moist, humid valleys in the National Park.</habitat> <specimens>N.Is.: S side of Mt Bates, P.S.Green 1873 (K).</specimens> </taxon> <taxon><rank>gen.</rank><parent>HYMENOPHYLLACEAE</parent><seq>3</seq>< title>3. CEPHALOMANES</title> <name_info><name>Cephalomanes</name><author>C.Presl</author><protologue> <ref>Hymenophyllaceae 17</ref><date>(1843)</date></protologue></name_info><etymology>from the Greek kephale (a head) and manos (slender or loose), presumably in allusion to the slender receptacles in the type species</etymology> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><type>Type: C.Presl</type></synonym></synonymy> C. atrovirens <description>Terrestrial or lithophytic fern. Rhizomes erect or only shortly creeping, relatively thick. Fronds somewhat clustered on rhizome; stipe distinct; lamina usually only 1 pinnate, with false veins absent; cell walls usually thick. Sori usually at tips of ultimate 30 segments; indusium cup-shaped, bell-shaped or tubular, truncate, entire or dilated; receptacle long-exserted.</description> <distribution>A genus of c. 60 species, mostly from the Old World; 2 native species on Lord Howe Is. with 1 also present on Norfolk Is.</distribution> <bibliography>G.Bentham, Filicales, Trichomanes, Fl. Austral. 7: 700–704 (1878).</bibliography> Fronds 7–20 cm long, pinnate; segments broad Fronds 15–50 cm long, deeply and narrowly tripinnatifid </taxon> 1. C. atrovirens 2. C. bauerianum <taxon><seq>1</seq><parent>Cephalomanes</parent><name_info><name>atrovirens< /name><author>C.Presl</author><protologue><ref>Hymenophyllaceae 18, t. 5</ref><date>(1843)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><citation>Trichomanes atrovirens (C.Presl) Kuntze, Bot. Zeitung (Berlin) 5: 371 (1847).</citation><type>T: Philippine Islands, H.Cuming 169; holo: ?PR or ?PRC n.v. The epithet comes from the Latin ater (black) and virens (green), in allusion to the dark colour of the fronds.</type></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Trichomanes javanicum auct. non Blume: W.R.B.Oliver, Trans. & Proc. New Zealand Inst. 49: 117 (1917)]</citation></synonym></synonymy> <illustrations>Illustrations: D.L.Jones & S.C.Clemesha, Austral. Ferns & Fern Allies, 2nd edn, 45, fig. 221 (1981); P.J.Brownsey & J.C.Smith-Dodsworth, New Zealand Ferns & Allied Pl. 69, fig. 71, t. 16A (1989), as Hymenophyllum atrovirens; S.B.Andrews, Ferns Queensland 197, fig. 16.14A (1990).</illustrations> <description>Terrestrial or lithophytic fern. Rhizome erect, often elevated on stilt -like roots. Fronds: stipe 1–4 cm long, hairy; lamina somewhat harsh-textured, ±erect, 7–20 cm long, pinnate; pinnae 4–6 mm broad, asymmetrical; veins prominent, protruding beyond the margin as tiny mucros. Sori marginal, free; indusia tubular, 1–2 mm long, slightly dilated; receptacle exserted by 1–6 mm.</description> <distribution>Lord Howe Is. Rare, no recent records seen. Also known from Australia (northern Qld), Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands, New Guinea and the Philippines.</distribution> <specimens>L.H.Is.: Soldiers or Deep Ck, 1887, T.Whitelegge (NSW).</specimens> <note>This species is very closely related to C. javanicum (Blume) C.Presl and C. boryanum (Kunze) Bosch.</note> </taxon> <taxon><seq>2</seq><parent>Cephalomanes</parent><name_info><name>bauerianum </name><author>(Endl.) P.S.Green</author><protologue><ref>Kew Bull. 48: 618</ref><date>(1993)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><citation>Trichomanes bauerianum Endl., Prodr. Fl. Norfolk. 17 (1833); Trichomanes meifolium var. bauerianum (Endl.) Hook., Syn. Fil. 1: 137 (1845); Callistopteris bauerianum (Endl.) Copel., Philipp. J. Sci. 67: 65 (1938).</citation><type>T: Norfolk Island, F.L.Bauer; holo: W; iso: K. Named after the Austrian botanical artist, Frederick Lucas Bauer (1760–1826), who collected on Norfolk Is. in 1804– 1805.</type></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Trichomanes polyanthos auct. non Hook.: F.J.H. von Mueller, Fragm. 7: 121 (1870)]</citation></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Trichomanes apiifolium auct. non C.Presl: G.Bentham, Fl. Austral. 7: 703 (1878); J.H.Maiden, Proc. Linn. Soc. New South Wales 28: 729 (1904)]</citation></synonym></synonymy> <illustrations>Illustration: E.B.Copeland, Philipp. J. Sci. 51: t. 42, fig. 2 (1933), as Trichomanes bauerianum.</illustrations> <description>Terrestrial or lithophytic fern. Rhizome short, erect, supported by coarse roots, with abundant dark brown, filiform scales and hairs 4–7 mm long. Fronds: stipe 5–25 cm tall, 31 filiform, hairy; lamina ±erect, lanceolate in outline, 10–30 cm long, deeply and abundantly tripinnatifid; pinnae often overlapping; segments linear, 0.5–0.75 mm broad, obtuse; veins not protruding. Sori somewhat immersed in tips of lateral pinnae; indusia conoid, 1 mm long, ±flared at apex; receptacle becoming exserted when fully developed, 2 mm long.</description> <common_name>Large Filmy Fern.</common_name> <distribution>Occurs on Norfolk Is., Lord Howe Is.</distribution> <habitat>Growing beside streams in deep forest shade, endemic to the Islands.</habitat> <specimens>N.Is.: Mt Pitt Reserve, M.Lazarides 8088 (CANB, K, NSW); valley S of Mt Bates, P.S.Green 1895 (K); Now-Now Valley, R.D.Hoogland 11253 (NSW). L.H.Is.: top of Mt Gower, P.S.Green 1599 (K, NSW); Erskine Valley, J.C.Game 69/148 (K); Rocky Run, J.Pickard 3428 (NSW).</specimens> <note>This species is related to Trichomanes apiifolium C.Presl (combination not currently available in Cephalomanes) of Malesia and Melanesia.</note></taxon> <taxon><rank>family</rank><title>ADIANTACEAE</title> <contributors><contributor>P.S.Green</contributor><contributor_address>Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 3AB, England</contributor_address></contributors> <description>Terrestrial or epiphytic ferns. Rhizome erect or creeping, with scales and/or hairs. Fertile and sterile fronds similar; stipe dark-coloured, often shining; lamina simple, 1– 5-pinnate, pinnatifid or basally pedate; veins free or anastomosing, without free veinlets. Sori marginal, or apparently so, with or without indusia, often covered by reflexed margin of lamina, terminal on veins or spreading along them, and then without indusia; paraphyses present.</description> <distribution>A cosmopolitan family containing a variable number of genera depending on the classification followed. Sometimes treated as monogeneric, but here including 2 other genera recorded from the Islands.</distribution> KEY TO GENERA 1 Sori discrete, kidney-shaped or subcircular 1: Sori merged, usually linear 2 Fronds 2- or 3-pinnate; pinnules less than 1 cm long 2: Fronds simply pinnate; pinnae 2–7 cm long 32 1. ADIANTUM 2. CHEILANTHES 3. PELLAEA </taxon> <taxon><rank>gen.</rank><parent>ADIANTACEAE</parent><seq>1</seq><title>1. ADIANTUM</title> <name_info><name>Adiantum</name><author>L.</author><protologue><ref>S p. Pl. 2: 1094</ref><date>(1753)</date></protologue></name_info><etymology>Gen. Pl. 5th edn, 485 (1754); from the Greek adiantos (dry, unwetted), a name given by Greek authors to a plant with unwettable leaves, possibly A. capillus-veneris</etymology> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><type>Type: L.</type></synonym></synonymy> A. capillus-veneris <description>Terrestrial ferns. Rhizome short, creeping or erect, scaly at apex. Fronds: stipe erect, wiry, often lustrous; lamina 1–3 (–5)-pinnate or pedate, hairy or glabrous; rachis not grooved; pinnules sessile or stalked, often fan-shaped, usually marginally toothed; veins free and dichotomously branched. Sori apparently marginal, protected by reflexed flap from margin, discrete, circular or kidney-shaped.</description> <distribution>A mainly pantropical genus of c. 200 species, especially from South America, but with a few temperate species; 2 species native to Norfolk Is. and 3 to Lord Howe Is.</distribution> <bibliography>G.Bentham, Filices, Adiantum, Fl. Austral. 7: 722–725 (1878).</bibliography> 1 Fronds 3-pinnate; petiolules attached to centre of base of pinnules; pinnules rounded obovate-cuneate, not arranged in a close series on either side of pinna rachis (L.H.Is.) 1: Frond 2-pinnate or pedate, petiolules attached at basal corner of p innules; pinnules dimidiate, oblong to rhomboid, arranged in a close series on either side of pinna rachis 2 Pinnae 1–3 (–4), rarely a small additional one; frond 2-pinnate; lamina glabrous except for 1–few stiff black setae on lower edge (N.Is.) 2: Pinnae 6–10 (–12); frond pedate or sub-pedate; lamina covered, especially below, with short or long pale hairs 3 1. A. aethiopicum 2. A. diaphanum Lamina covered, especially below, with numerous, longish, thin, pale, flexuous hairs; frond strictly pedate (N.Is., L.H.Is.) 3. A. pubescens Lamina covered, especially below, with numerous, short, ±rigid hairs, less than 0.5 mm long; frond subpedate, not strictly pedate (L.H.Is.) </taxon> 4. A. hispidulum 3: <taxon><seq>1</seq><parent>Adiantum</parent><name_info><name>aethiopicum</n ame><author>L.</author><protologue><ref>Syst. Nat. 10th edn, 2: 1329</ref><date>(1759)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><type>T: South Africa; syn: LINN 1252/15 & 16; IDC microfiche 177/2.733/8 & 9. Being described from African material it was given the epithet which at that time was widely applied to Africa.</type></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>Adiantum aethiopicum var. nodosum Bonap., Notes Pteridologiques 1: 196 (1915).</citation><type>T: Queensland, J.MacGillivray F5; holo: ?P n.v.</type></synonym></synonymy> <illustrations>Illustrations: D.L.Jones & S.C.Clemesha, Austral. Ferns & Fern Allies 2nd edn, 13, fig. 43 (1981); S.Firth et al., Ferns New Zealand 12, 13 (1986); P.J.Brownsey & J.C.SmithDodsworth, New Zealand Ferns & Allied Pl. 45, fig. 44, 45, t. 7B–C (1989).</illustrations> 33 <description>Rhizome stoloniferous, 2 mm diam., covered with brown scales. Fronds: stipe 5–15 cm tall, c. 1 mm diam., shining, flexuous, smooth, blackish; lamina alternately 3 pinnate; pinnae 10–20 cm long, delicate, light green; petiolule 1–5 mm long, central to pinnule base; pinnules 3–11 per pinna, not arranged in a close series on either side of the pinna rachis, rounded obovate-cuneate, with upper margin serrate. Sori 2–6 per pinnule, in marginal notches; 'indusium' reniform.</description> <common_name>Maidenhair.</common_name> <distribution>Lord Howe Is. Growing in the Northern Hills. Also known from New Zealand (North Is.), Australia and South Africa.</distribution> <habitat>Found on rocky ledges etc. in the forest edges</habitat> <specimens>L.H.Is.: lower slopes of Mt Eliza, P.S.Green 1579 (A, K); North Head, 1911, W.W.Watts (K); ridge of North Head, A.C.Beauglehole 5750 (CANB); loc. id, J.C.Game 1/13 (BM, K).</specimens></taxon> <taxon><seq>2</seq><parent>Adiantum</parent><name_info><name>diaphanum</na me><author>Blume</author><protologue><ref>Enum. Pl. Javae 215</ref><date>(1828)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><type>T: Java, C.L.Blume ?; holo: ?L n.v. The epithet comes from the Greek diaphanes (transparent), in allusion to the thin membranous leaves.</type></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>Adiantum setulosum J.Sm., Bot. Mag. (1846).</citation><type>T: cult. ex Norfolk Island; holo: ?BM n.v.</type></synonym> 72: 22 <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Adiantum affine auct. non Willd.: S.F.L.Endlicher, Prodr. Fl. Norfolk. 14 (1833)]</citation></synonym></synonymy> <illustrations>Illustrations: D.L.Jones & S.C.Clemesha, Austral. Ferns & Fern Allies 2nd edn, 71, fig. 46 (1981); D.L.Jones, Encycl. Ferns 214, 215 (1987); S.B.Andrews, Ferns Queensland 11, fig. 1.1H, 15, fig. 1.2F (1990).</illustrations> <description>Rhizome, with brown scales at apex. Fronds ±clustered: stipes 5 –10 cm tall, c. 1 mm diam., smooth, blackish; lamina bipinnate, 10–20 cm long, ±pendulous, delicate, dark green; pinnae 1–3 (–4), often subequal, 10–15 mm long; petiolules 0.5–2 mm long, attached at lower corner of pinnules; pinnules 20–40 per pinna, arranged in a close series on either side of the pinna rachis, dimidiate; upper margin crenulate; lower margin with 1–few, stiff, blackish setae, otherwise pinnae glabrous. Sori 5–10 per pinnule, in notches of upper and outer margins; 'indusium' reniform to almost circular.</description> <common_name>Threefrond Maidenhair Fern.</common_name> <distribution>Norfolk Is. Also known from southern China to Australia, Vanuatu, Fiji, New Zealand and the Kermadec Is.</distribution> <habitat>Common on earthy banks in forest as, for example, in the National Park.</habitat> <specimens>N.Is.: high grounds, s.loc., W.G.Milne 15 (K); Mt Bates, R.D.Hoogland 11246 (CANB, K); between Palm Glen and Red Rd, R.J.Chinnock 5965 (AD, K).</specimens></taxon> <taxon><seq>3</seq><parent>Adiantum</parent><name_info><name>pubescens</na me><author>Schkuhr</author><protologue><ref>Kl. Linn. Pfl-Syst. 1: 108</ref><date>(1809)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><type>T: New Zealand, J.R.Forster & G.Forster '259.458'; lecto: BM, fide B.S.Parris, New Zealand J. Bot. 18: 503 (1980). So named because of its pubescent pinnules.</type></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Adiantum hispidulum auct. non Sw.: W.J.Hooker, Sp. Fil. 2: 31 (1851), p.p.; G.Bentham, Fl. Austral. 7: 725 (1878), p.p.; J.H.Maiden, Proc. Linn. Soc. New South Wales 28: 731 (1904); J.S.Turner et al., Conservation Norfolk Is. 29 (1968)]</citation></synonym></synonymy> 34 <illustrations>Illustrations: B.S.Parris, New Zealand J. Bot. 18: 504, fig. 1 & 505, fig. 2 bottom left (1980); S.Frith et al., Ferns New Zealand 15, upper fig. (1986).</illustrations> <description>Rhizome erect; scales narrowly acute, dark brown. Fronds ±clustered; stipe (10–) 20–30 cm tall, 1–2 mm diam., rough (sometimes smooth on Lord Howe Is.), blackish; lamina strictly pedate at base, slightly coriaceous, dark green, with young fronds pinkish; pinnae 6–10 (–12), 5–20 cm long, graduated, with central pinnae longest; petiolules attached at lower corner of pinnules; lowest petiolule 1–2 mm long, upper pinnules sessile; pinnules 12–60 (–70) per pinna, arranged in a close series on either side of the pinna rachis, dimidiate, flabellate to somewhat rhomboid, upper margins ±serrate, surface (especially below) with numerous long, thin, pale, flexuous hairs. Sori 6–14 per pinnule, in small marginal notches below the upper and outer margins of the pinnules; 'indusium' dark brown, reniformcircular.</description> <common_name>Rough Maidenhair Fern.</common_name> <image kind="fig"><image_text>Fig. E.</image_text><image_url>v*****_f*****.jpg</image_url></image> 104D– <distribution>Norfolk Is., Lord Howe Is. Also known from New Zealand and the Kermadec Is. Its distribution elsewhere needs investigation.</distribution> <habitat>Common on tracksides, open areas and forest banks.</habitat> <specimens>N.Is.: Mt Bates, R.D.Hoogland 11248 (CANB); Anson Bay, P.S.Green 1871 (K); s. loc., A.Cunningham 43 (K). L.H.Is.: W face of Mt Lidgbird, P.S.Green 1646 (A, K); loc. id., J.C.Game 69/190 (K).</specimens> <note>There has been much confusion of this species with Adiantum hispidulum. It was recently re-established as distinct by B.S.Parris, New Zealand J. Bot. 18: 503– 506 (1980). While this book was in the final stages of preparation, M.F.Large & J.E.Braggins, New Zealand J. Bot. 31: 416 (1993), reduced the species to a variety of A. hispidulum, a view which has much to recommend it.</note> </taxon> <taxon><seq>4</seq><parent>Adiantum</parent><name_info><name>hispidulum</na me><author>Sw.</author><protologue><ref>J. Bot. (Schrader) 1800</ref><date>(2):</date></protologue></name_info>82 (1802) <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><type>T: New South Wales, coll. not known; holo: ?S n.v. Named in reference to the slightly hispid stipes.</type></synonym></synonymy> <illustrations>Illustrations: B.S.Parris, New Zealand J. Bot. 18: 504, fig. 1, 505, fig. 2 top (1980); S.Firth et al., Ferns New Zealand 15, lower fig. (1986); B.D.Duncan & G.Isaac, Ferns & Allied Pl. Victoria, Tasmania & S. Australia 140, fig. 13.9 (1986).</illustrations> <description>Description as for A. pubescens except that the stipes are consistently rough, the fronds not strictly pedate and the lamina below has short, ±rigid hairs, less than 0.5 mm long.</description> <common_name>Maidenhair Fern.</common_name> <distribution>Lord Howe Is. Also known from New Zealand (North Is.) and Australia. Its exact distribution needs investigation, see under Adiantum pubescens.</distribution> <specimens>L.H.Is.: ridge (K).</specimens></taxon> between Old Settlement and North Bay, P.S.Green 1939 <taxon><rank>doubtful</rank><parent>ADIANTUM</parent><seq>1</seq><title> Do ubtful records </title> <note seq="1">Adiantum formosum R.Br. was recorded from the 'Little Slope', Lord Howe Is., by J.H.Maiden (Proc. Linn. Soc. New South Wales 45: 564, 1920) and there is a specimen merely labelled 'Lord Howe Island' (NSW P2501) in the National Herbarium of N.S.W. It has never been collected since and the record needs confirmation.</note> 35 <note seq="2">Adiantum fulvum Raoul was recorded from Norfolk Is. by W.J.Hooker (Syn. Fil. 120, 1868), presumably on the strength of a specimen at Kew simply labelled 'Norfolk Island' in Hooker's hand (and without any other annotation). This record has not been supported by any further collections and it must be assumed that the specimen was mislabelled.</note> </taxon> <taxon><rank>gen.</rank><parent>ADIANTACEAE</parent><seq>2</seq><title>2. CHEILANTHES</title> <name_info><name>Cheilanthes</name><author>Sw.</author><protologue><ref>Syn. Fil. 5: 126</ref><date>(1806)</date></protologue></name_info><etymology>from the Greek cheilos (a lip) and anthos (a flower), in allusion to the 'flower', or in this case sorus, being marginal in these ferns</etymology> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><type>Type: Sw.</type></synonym></synonymy> C. micropteris <description>Terrestrial or epiphytic ferns. Rhizome short, scaly. Fronds clustered; stipe erect, ±slender; lamina pinnatifid or 1–4-pinnate, usually glandular, scaly or hairy; pinnules less than 1 cm long; veins free or rarely anastomosing. Sori marginal, elongate or linear, spreading and ±joined laterally, protected by the reflexed, modified laminal margin.</description> <distribution>A genus of nearly 200 species throughout the tropics and warm temperate regions of the world. Two species native to both islands.</distribution> <bibliography>G.Bentham, Filices, Cheilanthes, Fl. Austral. 7: 726–727 (1878); T.C.Chambers & P.A.Farrant, A re-examination of the genus Cheilanthes (Adiantaceae) in Australia, Telopea 4: 509–557 (1991).</bibliography> Stipe and rachis glabrous or stipe with a few fine hairs and scales towards base Stipe and rachis ±densely scaly throughout </taxon> 1. C. sieberi 2. C. distans <taxon><seq>1</seq><parent>Cheilanthes</parent><name_info><name>sieberi< /name ><author>Kunze in J.G.C.Lehmann</author><protologue><ref>Pl. Preiss. 2: 112</ref><date>(1847)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><citation>Cheilanthes tenuifolia var. sieberi (Kunze) Hook.f., Handb. New Zealand Fl. 362 (1867).</citation><type>T: Western Australia, J.A.L.Preiss 1304; lecto: BM, fide H.M.Quirk et al., Austral. J. Bot. 312: 517 (1983). Named after Franz Wilhelm Sieber (1789–1844), Bohemian botanist who collected in New South Wales in 1823.</type></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Cheilanthes tenuifolia auct. non (Burm.f.) Sw.: G.Bentham, Fl. Austral. 7: 726 (1876), p.p.; F.J.H. von Mueller, J. Bot. 22: 290 (1884)]</citation></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Cheilanthes humilis auct. non (G.Forst.) P.S.Green: P.S.Green, Kew Bull. 43: 653 (1988)]</citation></synonym></synonymy> <illustrations>Illustrations: H.M.Quirk et al., Austral. J. Bot. 31: 518 (1983); S.B.Andrews, Ferns Queensland 338, fig. 34.5A (1990); T.C.Chambers & P.A.Farrant, Telopea 4: 534, fig. 13g–h (1991).</illustrations> <description>Rhizome horizontal, shortly creeping. Fronds ±clustered; stipe stiff, wiry, grooved, glabrous or with a few fine hairs, especially towards the scaly base, chestnut brown; lamina narrow, 10–20 (–30) cm tall, 1–2 cm broad, suboppositely 2- (to 3)-pinnate; pinnules deeply pinnatisect. Sori marginal, ±discrete to continuous, protected by inrolled margin of lamina.</description> 36 <distribution>Norfolk Is., Lord Howe Is. Rare on both islands and not collected recently on Norfolk Is. Also known from New Zealand, Australia (widespread) and New Caledonia.</distribution> <habitat>Growing in dry rocky habitats.</habitat> <specimens>N.Is.: s. loc., 1905, P.H.Metcalfe (NSW). L.H.Is.: Malabar Hill, M.M.J. van Balgooy 1057 (NSW); near Malabar, P.S.Green 2312 (K).</specimens></taxon> <taxon><seq>2</seq><parent>Cheilanthes</parent><name_info><name>distans</name ><author>(R.Br.) Mett.</author><protologue><ref>Abh. Senckenberg. Naturf. Ges. 3: 69</ref><date>(1859)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><citation>Notholaena distans R.Br., Prodr. 146 (1810).</citation><type>T: New South Wales, R.Brown; holo: BM. Named in allusion to the 'distant' arrangement of the pinnae along the rachis.</type></synonym></synonymy> <illustrations>Illustrations: H.M.Quirk et al., Austral. J. Bot. 31: 524, figs 16, 17 (1983); D.L.Jones, Encycl. Ferns 337 (1987); S.B.Andrews, Ferns Queensland 331, fig. 34.2B (1990).</illustrations> <description>Rhizome short. Fronds clustered; stipe stiff, grooved, scaly and somewhat hairy, brown; lamina narrow, 10–20 (–30) cm tall, 1–2 cm broad, suboppositely 2-pinnate; deeply pinnatifid, rachis and veins below densely covered with pale brown scales. Sori marginal, continuous, partially protected by inrolled margin of lamina.</description> <common_name>Bristly Cloakfern.</common_name> <image kind="fig"><image_text>Fig. G.</image_text><image_url>v*****_f*****.jpg</image_url></image> 104F– <distribution>Norfolk Is., Lord Howe Is. Also known from New Zealand, southern and eastern Australia and New Caledonia.</distribution> <habitat>Frequent in dryish, rocky habitats.</habitat> <specimens>N.Is.: Ball Bay, R.D.Hoogland 11309 (CANB, K); N side of Mt Bates, R.D.Hoogland 11317 (CANB, NSW); Duncombe Bay, P.S.Green 2432 (K). L.H.Is.: Malabar Hill, M.M.J. van Balgooy 1089 (CANB, NSW); 'Lower Rd', SW base of Mt Lidgbird, A.N.Rodd 1393 (K, NSW).</specimens> </taxon> <taxon><rank>gen.</rank><parent>ADIANTACEAE</parent><seq>3</seq><title>3. PELLAEA</title> <name_info><name>Pellaea</name><author>Link</author><protologue><ref>F il. Sp. 59</ref><date>(1841)</date></protologue></name_info><etymology>named from the Greek pellaios (dark), in allusion to the generally dark stipes in these ferns</etymology> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><type>Type: Link</type></synonym></synonymy> P. atropurpurea (L.) <description>Terrestrial ferns. Rhizome short and thick or long-creeping, covered with narrow scales. Fronds: stipe erect, wiry, dark-coloured, shining; lamina pinnate, palmate (or pedate elsewhere), usually glabrous; pinnae uniform, sessile or shortly stalked, entire, often coriaceous, with veins free. Sori marginal, linear or oblong, merging laterally, protected by reflexed margin of lamina.</description> <distribution>A genus of c. 80 species, especially from tropical and subtropical South America and South Africa. 2 species native to Lord Howe Is.</distribution> <bibliography>G.Bentham, (1878).</bibliography> Filices, Pteris, Fl. Austral. 7: 727–730 37 Pinnae 10–35 pairs, 5–10 mm broad; rachis manifestly scaly 1. P. falcata Pinnae 2–8 pairs, 12–30 mm broad; rachis slightly rough, almost naked </taxon> 2. P. paradoxa <taxon><seq>1</seq><parent>Pellaea</parent><name_info><name>falcata</name><a uthor>(R.Br.) Fée</author><protologue><ref>Gen. Filic. 129</ref><date>(1852)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><citation>Pteris falcata R.Br., Prodr. 154 (1810).</citation><type>T: New South Wales and Tasmania, R.Brown; syn: BM. The epithet comes from the Latin falcatus (sickle-shaped), in allusion to the shape of the pinnae.</type></synonym></synonymy> <illustrations>Illustrations: D.L.Jones & S.C.Clemesha, Austral. Ferns & Fern Allies 2nd edn, 179, fig. 241 (1981); D.L.Jones, Encycl. Ferns 5, 19, 342 (1987); P.G.Wilson in G.J.Harden, Fl. New South Wales 1: 25 (1990).</illustrations> <description>Rhizomes shortly creeping, closely covered with appressed, dark brown scales with a pale margin. Fronds: stipe 5–10 cm tall, dark brown; lamina erect, 12–40 cm tall, simply imparipinnate; rachis clothed with numerous light brown scales and hairs; pinnae ±sessile, 10–35 pairs, opposite or alternate, narrowly lanceolate to falcate, 2 –5 cm long, asymmetrical at base, acute, ±coriaceous, almost glabrous. Sori in a dense band, especially on upper pinnae; laminal margins slightly reflexed.</description> <distribution>Lord Howe Is. in the northern hills. Also known from eastern Australia, New Zealand, the Kermadec Is. and New Caledonia.</distribution> <habitat>Growing in rocky places.</habitat> <specimens>L.H.Is.: Kims Lookout, P.S.Green 1944 (K); W of Kims Lookout, J.C.Game 69/220a (K).</specimens></taxon> <taxon><seq>2</seq><parent>Pellaea</parent><name_info><name>paradoxa</name> <author>(R.Br.) Hook.</author><protologue><ref>Sp. Fil. 2: 135</ref><date>(1858)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><citation>Adiantum paradoxum R.Br., Prodr. 155 (1810).</citation><type>T: Australia, R.Brown; holo: BM. So named because it was paradoxical in Adiantum, the genus in which it was first classified.</type></synonym></synonymy> <illustrations>Illustrations: D.L.Jones & S.C.Clemesha, Austral. Ferns & Fern Allies 2nd edn, 179, fig. 242 (1981); S.B.Andrews, Ferns Queensland 343, fig. 34.7A (1990); P.G.Wilson in G.J.Harden, Fl. New South Wales 1: 25 (1990).</illustrations> <description>Rhizome with appressed, dark brown scales. Fronds: stipe 20–30 cm tall, blackish, with scattered, small, pale scales and hairs; lamina erect, 30 –50 cm tall, simply imparipinnate; petiolules 2–7 mm long; pinnae 2–8 pairs, alternate, ovate to broadly lanceolate, 3–7 cm long, asymmetrical at base, entire, acute, ±coriaceous, glabrous. Sori dense, especially on upper pinnae; laminal margins slightly reflexed.</description> <distribution>Lord Howe Is. Rare, recorded only once. Also known from Qld and N.S.W.</distribution> <specimens>L.H.Is.: S side of Malabar, A.C.Beauglehole 5752 (MEL).</specimens></taxon> <taxon><rank>doubtful</rank><parent>Pellaea</parent><seq>1</seq><title> Doubtful record </title> <note>Pellaea rotundifolia (G.Forst.) Hook. has been recorded from Norfolk Is. (W.J.Hooker, Sp. Fil. 2: 136, 1858 and G.Bentham, Fl. Austral. 7: 730, 1878), but no collections from the Island have been seen. These records trace back to G.Kunze (Linnaea 23: 219, 1850), under the name Allosorus rotundifolius (G.Forst.) Kunze, but no specimens are cited by him. It is suspected that specimens 38 distributed by the Botanical Society of London, communicated by H.C.Watson in 1844, labelled 'From a collection of ferns made by one of the Cunninghams in New Zealand and Norfolk Island' (specimen at Kew) may have led, erroneously, to this record.</note></taxon> <taxon><rank>family</rank><title>VITTARIACEAE</title> <contributors><contributor>P.S.Green</contributor><contributor_address>Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 3AB, England</contributor_address></contributors> <description>Epiphytic ferns. Rhizomes usually short, creeping, with narrow clathrate scales. Fronds simple, linear to ovate or obovate, entire; fertile fronds not differentiated; veins reticulate, forming elongate areoles, without free veinlets. Sori elongate, distributed along veins, usually submarginal, sometimes reticulate, without indusia, often in a groove, when young protected by paraphyses.</description> <distribution>A small tropical family of 9 genera and c. 100 species. One genus native to Norfolk Is.</distribution> </taxon> <taxon><rank>gen.</rank><parent>VITTARIACEAE</parent><seq>1</seq><title>VI TTARIA</title> <name_info><name>Vittaria</name><author>Sm.</author><protologue><ref>M ém. Acad. Roy. Sci. (Turin) 5: 413, t. 9</ref><date>(1793)</date></protologue></name_info><etymology>named from the Latin vitta (a ribbon), in allusion to the ribbon-like shape of the fronds in the type, and other, species</etymology> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><type>Type: Sm.</type></synonym></synonymy> V. lineata (L.) <description>Rhizome shortly creeping, covered with brown scales at apex. Fronds crowded, narrowly to broadly linear, erect or drooping. Sori linear, along a submargin al vein, ±immersed in a groove; paraphyses numerous.</description> <distribution>A pantropical genus of 50 or more species. One species native to Norfolk Is.</distribution> <bibliography>G.Bentham, Filices, (1878).</bibliography> </taxon> Vittaria, Fl. Austral. 7: 717–718 <taxon><seq>1</seq><parent>Vittaria</parent><name_info><name>elongata</name>< author>Sw.</author><protologue><ref>Syn. Fil. 109, 302</ref><date>(1806)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><type>T: India, J.P.Röttler; holo: ?UPS n.v. Named in allusion to the elongate habit of the fronds.</type></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Vittaria rigida auct. non Kaulf.: S.F.L.Endlicher, Prodr. Fl. Norfolk. 12 (1833)]</citation></synonym></synonymy> <illustrations>Illustrations: D.L.Jones, Encycl. Ferns 180, 384 (1987); S.B.Andrews, Ferns Queensland 380, fig. 38.2A (1990); P.G.Wilson in G.J.Harden, Fl. New South Wales 1: 28 (1990).</illustrations> <description>Rhizome shortly creeping; scales dark brown, with hair-like apices. Fronds ±sessile, linear, gradually tapered at base and apex, 10–30 (–40) cm long, 3–5 mm broad; midrib ±obscure. Sori linear, in a deep marginal groove.</description> 39 <common_name>Tape Fern.</common_name> <distribution>Norfolk Is. Not common. Also known from India and Malesia to Australia (Qld and N.S.W.) and the tropical Pacific islands, including New Caledonia and Fiji.</distribution> <habitat>Found on tree fern trunks and fallen logs in King Fern Valley and similar habitats.</habitat> <specimens>N.Is.: slopes of Mt Pitt, P.S.Green, P.Ralston & O.Evans 1415 (A, NSW); King Fern Gully, R.D.Hoogland 11193 (NSW); between Palm Glen and Red Rd, R.J.Chinnock 5954 (AD, K).</specimens></taxon> <taxon><rank>family</rank><title>PTERIDACEAE</title> <contributors><contributor>P.S.Green</contributor><contributor_address>Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 3AB, England</contributor_address></contributors> <description>Terrestrial ferns. Rhizome erect or creeping, scaly. Fronds usually uniform, 1 – 4-pinnate, borne close together, usually clustered at apex of rhizome; veins usually free. Sori without indusia or with a false indusium from a scarious margin; paraphyses often present.</description> <distribution>A worldwide family variously interpreted as containing from 3 to 7 genera and over 250 species. One genus native to both Islands.</distribution> </taxon> <taxon><rank>gen.</rank><parent>PTERIDACEAE</parent><seq>1</seq><title>PTE RIS</title> <name_info><name>Pteris</name><author>L.</author><protologue><ref>Sp. Pl. 2: 1073</ref><date>(1753)</date></protologue></name_info><etymology> Gen. Pl. 5th edn, 484 (1754); the Greek name for a fern</etymology> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><type>Type: P. longifolia L.</type></synonym></synonymy> <description>Rhizome often stout, scaly at apex. Fronds: stipe grooved on upper surface; lamina 1–4-pinnate, with rachis deeply grooved above; pinnae often deepl y pinnatisect, with short spines often present at base of ultimate costules. Sori linear, marginal to submarginal, connecting the vein endings; false indusia linear, continuous, formed from modified margin.</description> <distribution>A large worldwide genus of 250 or more species.</distribution> <note>Parts of the genus are in need of revision, especially the P. comans G.Forst. group. In the meantime recognition is given, at specific rank, to P. microptera and P. zahlbruckneriana, members of this group.</note> <bibliography>G.Bentham, (1878).</bibliography> 1 Filices, Pteris, Fl. Austral. 7: 727–733 Veins of lamina simple or once forked, free 2 40 Frond bipinnate for 1 (sometimes 2) basal divisions, pinnatifid apical portion c. 1/3 of length of lamina; median pinnules 15–30 mm long, 3–5 mm broad; sterile apex broadly acute, 2–4 (–5) mm long (N.Is.) 1. P. kingiana 2: 1: 3 Frond bipinnate for 4–5 (–7) basal divisions, with only a short pinnatifid apical portion; median pinnules 10–15 (–20) mm long, 1.5–3 (–5) mm broad; sterile apex somewhat blunt, 1–2 (–3) mm long (N.Is., L.H.Is.) 2. P. tremula Veins of lamina netted Segments of lamina 4–6 mm broad, acute; continuous portion along midrib 0.5–1.5 mm broad (L.H.Is.) 3. P. microptera 3: Segments of lamina (6–) 8–10 mm broad, ±obtuse; continuous portion along midrib 3–5 mm broad (N.Is.) </taxon> 4. P. zahlbruckneriana <taxon><seq>1</seq><parent>Pteris</parent><name_info><name>kingiana</name><a uthor>Endl.</author><protologue><ref>Prodr. Fl. Norfolk. 13</ref><date>(1833)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><citation>Pteris tremula var. kingiana (Endl.) Hook. & Baker, Syn. Fil. 161 (1867).</citation><type>T: Norfolk Island, 1804–1805, F.L.Bauer; holo: W. Named after Philip Gidley King (1758–1808), who superintended the first settlement on Norfolk Is. in 1788 and who was later Governor of New South Wales from 1800–1806.</type></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>Pteris trattinickiana Endl., op. cit. 14.</citation><type>T: Norfolk Island, 1804–1805, F.L.Bauer; holo: W.</type></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Pteris quadriaurita auct. non Retz.: J.H.Maiden, Proc. Linn. Soc. New South Wales 28: 732 (1904)]</citation></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Pteris cit.]</citation></synonym> marginata auct. non Bory; J.H.Maiden, loc. <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Pteris biaurita var. quadriaurita auct. non (Retz.) Luerss.: R.M.Laing, Trans. & Proc. New Zealand Inst. 48: 231 (1916)]</citation></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Pteris tripartita auct. non Sw.: J.S.Turner et al., Conservation Norfolk Is. 31 (1968)]</citation></synonym></synonymy> <illustrations>Illustrations: W.R.B.Oliver, Trans. & Proc. New Zealand Inst. 48: 230, figs. 1, 2 (1916); D.L.Jones, Encycl. Ferns 37 (1987).</illustrations> <description>Rhizome short, erect; apex covered with long, narrow, brown scales. Fronds tufted, 30–90 cm tall; stipe base scurfy, with numerous narrow, brown scales 4 –7 mm long; lamina outline broadly deltoid, 15–50 cm long, 12–35 cm broad, usually coriaceous, bipinnate at base for 1 (sometimes 2) divisions, pinnate for 3–5 pairs of subopposite divisions, then apical portion deeply pinnatifid, c. 1/3 length of lamina; midrib of pinnae above flanged, usually with acute 'teeth' 0.5–1.5 mm long at junction of each pinnule midrib; pinnules narrow (those of median pinnae 15–30 mm long, 3–5 mm broad), shortly acute; veins simple or once forked, free. Sori marginal, continuous; apex of pinnules sterile, dentate, 2–4(–5) mm long, broadly acute.</description> <common_name>King's Brakefern.</common_name> <distribution>Norfolk Is. Endemic, and locally common.</distribution> <habitat>Found near the coast and in valleys leading to the sea.</habitat> <specimens>N.Is.: Ball Bay, R.D.Hoogland 11232 (NSW); loc. id., P.S.Green 2425 & 2426 (K); s. loc., A.Cunningham 42 (K).</specimens> <note>Very close to P. tremula and, with it, part of the widespread P. tripartita Sw. complex.</note> </taxon> 41 <taxon><seq>2</seq><parent>Pteris</parent><name_info><name>tremula</name><au thor>R.Br.</author><protologue><ref>Prodr. 154</ref><date>(1810)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><type>T: New South Wales, R.Brown; holo: BM; iso: K. The epithet comes from the Latin tremo (I quiver or tremble), in allusion to the easily quivering fronds in this fern.</type></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>Pteris baueriana Diesing ex Endl., Prodr. Fl. Norfolk. 12 (1833).</citation><type>T: Norfolk Island, 1804–1805, F.L.Bauer; holo: W.</type></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Pteris arguta auct. non Aiton: F.J.H. von Mueller, Fragm. 9: 78 (1875)]</citation></synonym></synonymy> <illustrations>Illustrations: D.L.Jones & S.C.Clemesha, Austral. Ferns & Fern Allies 2nd edn, 195, fig. 266 (1981); D.L.Jones, Encycl. Ferns 272, 273 (1987); P.J.Brownsey & J.C.Smith-Dodsworth, New Zealand Ferns & Allied Pl. 54, fig. 54, t. 10F (1989).</illustrations> <description>Rhizome short, erect; apex covered with long, narrow, pal e brown scales. Fronds tufted, 30–120 cm tall; stipe base with a few pale, narrow scales, 2–3 mm long, or scales absent; lamina outline ovate-deltoid, 25–60 cm long, 15–40 cm broad, usually ±membranous, bipinnate or bipinnatifid; bipinnate from base for 4 –5 (–7) subopposite divisions, then pinnate for 5–8 divisions, with only a short apical portion deeply pinnatifid; upper midrib of pinnae slightly flanged with 'teeth' vestigial or lacking; pinnules very narrow (those of median pinnae 10–15 (–20) mm long, 1.5–3 (–5) mm broad), acute to ±blunt; veins simple or once forked, free. Sori marginal, continuous; apex of pinnules sterile, 1 –2 (–3) mm long, somewhat blunt.</description> <common_name>Tender Brakefern.</common_name> <distribution>Norfolk Is., Lord Howe Is. On Norfolk Is. this species is not as common as P. kingiana; widespread on Lord Howe Is. Also known from Australia, New Zealand, the Kermadec Is. and Fiji.</distribution> <habitat>Believed to occur in similar habitats to P. kingiana, or more commonly in forested areas.</habitat> <specimens>N.Is.: New Farm Rd, 1985, D.Nobbs (K); spontaneous in a garden, New Cascades Rd, P.S.Green 2424 (K). L.H.Is.: W ridge of Malabar, P.S.Green 1950 (K); base of Mt Lidgbird, J.McGillivray 699 (K); W of Intermediate Hill, J.Pickard 3359 (NSW).</specimens> <note>This species is part of the difficult P. tripartita Sw. complex. The Australian plants tend to have the narrowest pinnules.</note> </taxon> <taxon><seq>3</seq><parent>Pteris</parent><name_info><name>microptera</name> <author>Mett. ex Kuhn</author><protologue><ref>Linnaea 36: 92</ref><date>(1869)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><type>T: Lord Howe Island, W.G.Milne; syn: ?B n.v.; isosyn: K; & Stange: syn: ?B n.v. The epithet comes from the Greek micros (small) and pteros (a wing), in allusion to the (comparatively) narrow wing on the pinna rachis.</type></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>Pteris comans G.Forst. var. ß Hook., Sp. Fil. 2: 219 (1858).</citation></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Pteris milneana auct. non (Hook.) Baker: C.Moore in E.S.Hill, Votes & Proc. Legislative Assembly New South Wales 4 (1870)]</citation></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Pteris comans auct. non G.Forst.: F.J.H. von Mueller, Fragm. 9: 78 (1875); G.Bentham, Fl. Austral. 7: 733 (1878), p.p.; W.B.Hemsley, Ann. Bot. (London) 10: 263 (1896); W.R.B.Oliver, Trans. & Proc. New Zealand Inst. 49: 123 (1917)]</citation></synonym></synonymy> <illustrations>Illustration: D.L.Jones, Encycl. Ferns 270 (1987).</illustrations> <description>Rhizome stout, erect; apex covered with short triangular brown scales. Fronds tufted, erect, 50–200 cm tall, shining; stipe base with no scales or a few short dark brown scales; lamina outline broadly deltoid, 30–150 cm long, slightly coriaceous, bipinnate at base 42 for 1 or 2 divisions, pinnate for 3 or 4 divisions, then apical portion deeply pinnatifid with a continuous portion of lamina along midrib of pinnules between segments 0.5 –1.5 mm broad; midrib of pinnae above slightly flanged, with a blunt tooth 0.5–1 mm long at the junction of each pinnule midrib; pinnules narrow (those of median pinnae (2 –) 3–4 (–6) cm long, 4–6 mm broad); veins netted. Sori submarginal, continuous; pinnule apex sterile, 2 –7 mm long, dentate, long-acute.</description> <image kind="fig"><image_text>Fig. 104H.</image_text><image_url>v*****_f*****.jpg</image_url></image> <distribution>Lord Howe Is. Endemic, widespread and common throughout the Island at lower altitudes.</distribution> <specimens>L.H.Is.: c. 180 m NE of Old Settlement Beach, J.C.Game 65/6/11 (K); Transit Hill, M.M.J. van Balgooy 1005 (NSW); Erskine Valley, P.S.Green 1670 (A, K).</specimens> <note>This species is part of the widespread and complex P. comans group. A rare form with forked proliferation of the pinna apices was described from Lord Howe Is. material as P. comans var. furcata Bonap., Notes Ptéridologiques 5: 128 (1917).</note> </taxon> <taxon><seq>4</seq><parent>Pteris</parent><name_info><name>zahlbruckneriana</n ame><author>Endl.</author><protologue><ref>Prodr. Fl. Norfolk. 13</ref><date>(1833)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><type>T: Norfolk Island, F.L.Bauer; holo: ?W n.v. Named after Johann Baptist Zahlbruckner (1782–1851), prominent Austrian amateur botanist.</type></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>Pteris endlicheriana J.Agardh, Recens. Spec. Pterid. 66 (1839); Litobrochia endlicheriana (J.Agardh) Hook., Gen. Fil. t. 65B (1842); Pteris comans var. endlicheriana (J.Agardh) Hook. & Baker, Syn. Fil. 171 (1867).</citation><type>T: Norfolk Island, [A.Cunningham 60]; holo: K.</type></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Pteris comans auct. non G.Forst.: J.H.Maiden, Proc. Linn. Soc. New South Wales 28: 732 (1904); R.M.Laing, Trans. & Proc. New Zealand Inst. 47: 14 (1915); R.M.Laing, Trans. & Proc. New Zealand Inst. 48: 233 (1916); J.S.Turner et al., Conservation Norfolk Is. 31 (1968)]</citation></synonym></synonymy> <illustrations>Illustrations: W.J.Hooker, Gen. Fil. t. 65B, figs 6, 7 (1842); W.R.B.Oliver, Trans. & Proc. New Zealand Inst. 48: 233, fig. 3 (1916).</illustrations> <description>Rhizome short, erect; apex of rhizome and base of stipe covered with lanceolate-triangular brown scales, 5–7 mm long. Fronds tufted, erect, c 1 m high; lamina outline broadly deltoid, 60 cm long and broad, membranous; bipinnate at base for 1 or 2 divisions, pinnate for 4 divisions, then apical portion deeply pinnatifid with a continuous portion of lamina along midrib of pinnules between segments 3 –5 mm broad; midrib of pinnae above raised, with a blunt 'tooth' 0.25–0.5 mm long associated with junction of each pinnule midrib; pinnules slightly curved (those of median pinnae 15–40 mm long, (6–) 8–10 mm broad), acute; veins netted. Sori almost marginal, continuous; pinnule apex sterile, serrate, 2–10 mm long.</description> <common_name>Netted Brakefern.</common_name> <image kind="fig"><image_text>Fig. 104I.</image_text><image_url>v*****_f*****.jpg</image_url></image> <distribution>Norfolk Is. Endemic.</distribution> <prenote>Part of the P. comans complex.</prenote> <habitat>Usually in the forest on banks by the creeks.</habitat> <specimens>N.Is.: Mt Cross, 1992, M.Christian (K); 'shady woods, deep ravines', A.Cunningham 59 (K); s. loc., 1849, C.J.Simmons (K).</specimens> 43 <note>The plant illustrated as P. endlicheriana in W.J.Hooker's Icon. Pl. 10: t. 73 (1854) represents the generally slightly shorter-pinnuled New Zealand representative of this complex.</note></taxon> <taxon><rank>family</rank><title>GLEICHENIACEAE</title> <contributors><contributor>P.S.Green</contributor><contributor_address>Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 3AB, England</contributor_address></contributors> <description>Rhizomatous, long-creeping, often scrambling and forming dense thickets. Fronds pinnate or more compound, usually pseudo-dichotomous by branching below a dormant or aborted apical bud; ultimate branches 1- or 2-pinnatifid; veins free, simple or forked. Sori of a few, rather large sporangia, without indusia; sporangia opening by a vertical or oblique annulus.</description> <distribution>A relatively primitive family of 5 or 6 genera, and c. 150 species. Found throughout the tropics and subtropics, entering the temperate zone in the Southern Hemisphere. One genus native on Lord Howe Is.</distribution> </taxon> <taxon><rank>gen.</rank><parent>GLEICHENIACEAE</parent><seq>1</seq><title> STICHERUS</title> <name_info><name>Sticherus</name><author>C.Presl</author><protologue><ref> Tent. Pterid. 51</ref><date>(1836)</date></protologue></name_info><etymology>from the Greek stichos (a row), in allusion to the double row of sori in these ferns</etymology> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><type>Type: C.Presl</type></synonym></synonymy> S. laevigatus (Willd.) <description>Rhizome long-creeping. Fronds consistently dichotomously branched, with a pair of leafy secondary branches below each terminal bud which, in turn, ends with a dormant bud and a further pair of leafy branches; pinnules entire; veins forked once. Sori in a single row on each side of the costae.</description> <distribution>A genus of c. 100 species, found in the tropics, subtropics or warm temperate regions of the Southern Hemisphere, sometimes included in the genus Gleichenia. One native species on Lord Howe Is.</distribution> </taxon> <taxon><seq>1</seq><parent>Sticherus</parent><name_info><name>lobatus</name> <author>N.A.Wakef.</author><protologue><ref>Victorian Naturalist 40: 110</ref><date>(1943)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><type>T: Victoria, 1941, N.A.Wakefield; holo: ?MEL n.v. So named from the occasionally lobed basal pinnules.</type></synonym></synonymy> <illustrations>Illustrations: D.L.Jones & S.C.Clemesha, Austral. Ferns & Fern Allies 2nd edn, 204, fig. 285 (1981); S.B.Andrews, Ferns Queensland 141, fig. 13.3B (1990); P.G.Wilson in G.J.Harden, Fl. New South Wales 1: 37 (1990).</illustrations> <description>Rhizome slender, scaly. Stipes spaced along rhizome, tough, erect, to 1 m tall, with a few scales near base; branches forming up to 3 tiers; primary br anches of rachis short, 1–3 cm long, the angle between them wide; ultimate branches almost at right angles to rachis, 1–3.5 cm long. Sori of 3–6 large, naked sporangia, midway between margins and costae.</description> 44 <distribution>Lord Howe Is. Found on the southern end of the summit of Mt Gower where it is perhaps a recent arrival by natural means, and spreading, having first been recorded in the last decade by A.N.Rodd & J.Pickard (Cunninghamia 1: 269, 1983). It was said (by J.Pickard) to occupy an area of about 2 square metres in 1976. I.Hutton, in collecting the specimens cited below, reported in February, 1988, that it was then occupying an area of about 10 square metres.</distribution> <specimens>L.H.Is.: S end of Mt Gower summit, I.Hutton 470 & 471 (K).</specimens></taxon> <taxon><rank>family</rank><title>POLYPODIACEAE</title> <contributors><contributor>P.S.Green</contributor><contributor_address>Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 3AB, England</contributor_address></contributors> <description>Epiphytic, rarely terrestrial ferns. Rhizome creeping, rarely erect, with peltate, clathrate or non-clathrate scales. Fronds simple, lobed, dichotomously branched or pinnate, uniform or dimorphic, often with peltate or stellate hairs; stipe usually articulate with rhizome; veins usually reticulate, with free, included veinlets. Sori superficial or somewhat immersed, or elongated and coalescent, spread over lamina surface, without indusia; paraphyses often present.</description> <distribution>A family of c. 29 genera and c. 1000 species, found throughout the world, but mostly tropical or subtropical; 3 native genera on Lord Howe Is., 2 of which are also found on Norfolk Is.</distribution> KEY TO GENERA 1 Bracket epiphytes; fronds strongly dimorphic, with basal sterile nestfronds and dichotomously forked fertile fronds 1: Creeping epiphytes, or lithophytes or on earth banks; fronds not strongly dimorphic 2 Fronds consistently simple; lamina densely covered with stellate h airs, at least below; sori coalescing 2: Fronds simple or pinnatifid on the same plant; lamina not densely covered with stellate hairs; sori discrete 1. PLATYCERIUM 2. PYRROSIA 3. PHYMATOSORUS 45 </taxon> <taxon><rank>gen.</rank><parent>POLYPODIACEAE</parent><seq>1</seq>< title>1 . PLATYCERIUM</title> <contributors><contributor>P.S.Green</contributor><contributor_address>Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 3AB, England</contributor_address></contributors> <name_info><name>Platycerium</name><author>Desv.</author><protologue><ref >Mém. Soc. Linn. Paris 6: 213</ref><date>(1827)</date></protologue></name_info><etymology>from the Greek platys (broad) and keras (a horn), in allusion to the shape of the frond, hence also the common names, Stag's Horn Fern and Elkhorn Fern</etymology> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><type>Type: Desv.</type></synonym></synonymy> P. alcicorne <description>Epiphytes. Rhizome short, covered with nest-fronds. Fronds strongly dimorphic; stipe very short or wanting; nest-fronds sterile, erect, broadly based, deeply cordate, papery with age, humus-collecting; fertile fronds erect or pendulous, dichotomously forked, densely stellate-hairy when young; primary veins dichotomously branched, almost parallel; secondary veins reticulate. Sori diffuse; sporangia not grouped in sori, covering areas on the lower surface or on differentiated fertile lobes.</description> <distribution>An unmistakable genus of c. 15 species; pantropical, with 1 species in Peru and the remainder in the Old World, from Africa to SE Asia and eastern Australia. One species native to Lord Howe Is.</distribution> <bibliography>G.Bentham, Filices, Platycerium, Fl. Austral. 7: 780–781 (1878); E.Hennipman & M.C.Roos, A monograph of the fern genus Platycerium (Polypodiaceae), Verh. Kon. Ned. Akad. Wetensch., Afd. Natuurk., Tweede Sect. 80: 1–126 (1982).</bibliography> </taxon> <taxon><seq>1</seq><parent>Platycerium</parent><name_info><name>bifurcatum</n ame><author>(Cav.) C.Chr.</author><protologue><ref>Index Filic. 498</ref><date>(1906)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><citation>Acrostichum bifurcatum Cav., Anales Hist. Nat. 1: 105 (1799).</citation><type>T: Port Jackson, Australia, L.Née; holo: M n.v. The epithet is from the Latin bi- (two) and furcatus (forked), in reference to the forked, fertile fronds.</type></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Platycerium alcicorne auct. non Desv.: J.L.MacGillivray, Hooker's J. Bot. Kew Gard. Misc. 6: 353 (1854); G.Bentham, Fl. Austral. 7: 781 (1878); W.W.Watts, Proc. Linn. Soc. New South Wales 37: 395 (1913)]</citation></synonym></synonymy> <illustrations>Illustrations: D.L.Jones, Encycl. Ferns 188, 260 (1987); S.B.Andrews, Ferns Queensland 286, fig. 28.6C (1990); P.G.Wilson in G.J.Harden, Fl. New South Wales 1: 39 (1990).</illustrations> <description>Bracket epiphyte, rarely a lithophyte. Rhizome short, stout. Rachis short, scaly. Nest-fronds sessile, 2 or more, 10–30 cm diam., broader than long, convex, entire, sinuate or lobed, stellate-hairy when young. Fertile fronds clustered, erect or hanging, 25–100 cm long, dichotomously forked up to 3 times, narrowly cuneate at base, coriaceous, covered with light brown, appressed, stellate hairs when young, especially on the backs. Soral patches covering most of the ultimate lobes of the fertile fronds.</description> <common_name>Elkhorn Fern.</common_name> 46 <distribution>Lord Howe Is., especially from Intermediate Hill southwards. Also known from Papua New Guinea and Australia (Qld, N.S.W.), with a subspecies in Java.</distribution> <habitat>On trees in the forest.</habitat> <specimens>L.H.Is.: Intermediate Hill, J.Pickard 3361 (NSW); Smoking Tree Ridge, P.S.Green 2041 (A, K); Rocky Run Ck, J.Pickard 3425 (NSW); S end of golf course, J.Pickard 3467 (NSW).</specimens> <note>The Lord Howe Is. bifurcatum.</note> </taxon> plant is subsp. bifurcatum var. <taxon><rank>gen.</rank><parent>POLYPODIACEAE</parent><seq>2</seq><title>2 . PYRROSIA</title> <contributors><contributor>P.S.Green</contributor><contributor_address>Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 3AB, England</contributor_address></contributors> <name_info><name>Pyrrosia</name><author>Mirb. in J.B.A.P. de C.F.B. de Mirbel</author><protologue><ref>Hist. Nat. Vég. 3: 91</ref><date>(1802)</date></protologue></name_info><etymology>from pyrros (flame-coloured), in allusion to the reddish yellow colour given of some species by their stellate indumentum</etymology> Lamarck & 471 & 5: the Greek to the fronds <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><type>Type: P. chinensis Mirb. = P. stigmosa (Sw.) Ching</type></synonym></synonymy> <description>Epiphytes or lithophytes. Rhizome creeping; scales non -clathrate, usually peltate at base. Fronds usually thickish, fleshy, usually simple, monomorphic or dimorphic; stipe articulate with rhizome, usually covered with caducous, stellate hairs; lamina usually decurrent onto stipe, ±covered with caducous, stellate hairs; veins complex -reticulate, usually obscure. Sori round or elongate, often confluent, usually occupying apical portion of frond, with stellate paraphyses.</description> <distribution>An Old World, mostly pantropical, genus of just over 50 species, especially from SE Asia; 1 species native to Norfolk and Lord Howe Islands.</distribution> <bibliography>G.Bentham, Filices, Polypodium, Fl. Austral. 7: 767 (1878); P.H.Hovenkamp, A Monograph of the Fern Genus Pyrrosia, Leiden, 1986.</bibliography> </taxon> <taxon><seq>1</seq><parent>Pyrrosia</parent><name_info><name>confluens</name ><author>(R.Br.) Ching</author><protologue><ref>Bull. Chin. Bot. Soc. 1: 49</ref><date>(1935)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><citation>Polypodium confluens R.Br., Prodr. 146 (1810); Cyclophorus confluens (R.Br.) C.Chr., Index Filic. 198 (1905).</citation><type>T: Hunter and Paterson Rivers, Australia, 1804, R.Brown; syn: BM. The epithet is Latin for running together, in reference to the sori.</type></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>Drymoglossum carnosum J.Sm., J. Bot. (Hooker) 4: 66 (1841), non Hook. (1842); Drymoglossum cunninghamii T.Moore, Index Fil. xxxi (1857), nom. nud.</citation><type>T: Norfolk Is., A.Cunningham; holo: K.</type></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>Niphobolus ovalis C.Presl, Epim. Bot. 129 (1849); Crespedaria ovalis (C.Presl) C.Presl, op. cit. 263.</citation><type>T: Norfolk Island, C.Hügel; ?iso: W.</type></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Niphobolus serpens auct. non (G.Forst.) Endl.: S.F.L.Endlicher, Prodr. Fl. Norfolk. 8 (1833), p.p.]</citation></synonym> 47 <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Polypodium serpens auct. non G.Forst.: F.J.H. von Mueller, Fragm. 9: 78 (1875); J.H.Maiden, Proc. Linn. Soc. New South Wales 28: 729 (1904)]</citation></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Polypodium acrostichoides auct. non G.Forst.: J.H.Maiden, op. cit. 730 (1904)]</citation></synonym></synonymy> <illustrations>Illustrations: D.L.Jones, Encycl. Ferns 251, 252 (1987); S.B.Andrews, Ferns Queensland 291, fig. 28.7D (1990); P.G.Wilson in G.J.Harden, Fl. New South Wales 1: 40, t. 4 (1990).</illustrations> <description>Epiphytic or lithophytic fern. Rhizome much-branched, 1–2 mm diam., covered with long, acute, appressed, peltate scales, 2–5 mm long, 0.5–1 mm broad, fringed with long, white hairs. Fronds simple, ±dimorphic, fleshy-coriaceous, densely covered with stellate hairs below, sparsely so above, entire or obscurely sinuate; stipe 0.2–4 cm long, stellatehairy, becoming glabrous; sterile fronds ovate-elliptic to lanceolate-linear with lamina 1–10 cm long, 0.7–1.5 cm broad, decurrent at base, blunt at apex; fertile fronds lanceolate-linear with lamina 4–20 cm long, 0.8–1.5 cm broad; veins reticulate, usually with obscure hydathodes near or on margins above. Sori superficial, usually as 2 oblong patches formed by lateral fusion, rarely a short row of sori.</description> <common_name>Felt Fern.</common_name> <image kind="fig"><image_text>Fig. B.</image_text><image_url>v*****_f*****.jpg</image_url></image> 102A– <distribution>Norfolk Is., Lord Howe Is. A common epiphyte on Norfolk Is.; on Lord Howe Is. less common. Also known from Australia (Qld, N.S.W.), and New Caledonia.</distribution> <habitat>On Lord Howe Is. occurs in drier forest.</habitat> <specimens>N.Is.: N slope of Mt Bates, R.D.Hoogland 11277 (K, NSW); between Palm Glen and Red Rd, R.J.Chinnock 5966 (AD, K); s. loc., 1902, J.H.Maiden & J.L.Boorman (A, K, NSW). L.H.Is.: lower slopes of Mt Eliza, P.S.Green 1578 (K, NSW); spur running S from Malabar, J.Pickard in A.N.Rodd 1403 (NSW); Mt Malabar, M.Percival 10 (BRI).</specimens> <note seq="1">M.Tindale (Contr. New South Wales Natl. Herb. 3: 35, 36, 1961) commented that the plants from New Caledonia, Norfolk Is. and Lord Howe Is. differ slightly from those of the Australian mainland, and recognised the New Caledonian plant as a separate subspecies. However, P.H.Hovenkamp (op. cit. 169), commented that the Norfolk Is. representatives are very often intermediate, and does not treat the New Caledonian plant as a distinct taxon.</note> <note seq="2">P.H.Hovenkamp (op. cit. 179) attributes one specimen from Norfolk Is. (A.Cunningham 33, U) to P. eleagnifolia (Bory) Hovenkamp, and (p. 235) another single sheet from Norfolk Is. (Hügel s.n., M) to P. serpens (G.Forst.) Ching. In addition, there are in the Kew herbarium, two sheets labelled as from Norfolk Is. (both of which appear to be part of the same collection; 1849, coll. C.J.Simmons, s. loc.) one of which has been determined by Hovenkamp as P. confluens and the other as P. serpens. However, observations of plants on the Island lead to the conclusion that there is only one species present there, and arouses the suspicion that the distinctness of these three taxa needs reconsideration.</note> <note seq="3">Frequently, on Norfolk Is., this fern produces bands of fasciated branched rhizomes. Their cause is not known, although it has been suggested that it might be due to attack by gall-forming mites (Hovenkamp, op. cit. 178).</note> </taxon> 48 <taxon><rank>gen.</rank><parent>POLYPODIACEAE</parent><seq>3</seq><title>3 . PHYMATOSORUS</title> <contributors><contributor>M.D.Tindale</contributor><contributor_address>National Herbarium of New South Wales, Royal Botanic Gardens, Mrs Macquaries Rd, Sydney, New South Wales, 2000</contributor_address></contributors> <name_info><name>Phymatosorus</name><author>Pic.Serm.</author><protologue ><ref>Webbia 28: 457</ref><date>(1973)</date></protologue></name_info><etymology>from the Greek phymatos (a swelling) and sorus, because of the pustulate swelling of upper surface of the lamina above the sorus in most of the species in this genus</etymology> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><type>Type: Pic.Serm.</type></synonym></synonymy> P. scolopendria (Burm.f.) <description>Scrambling, creeping or climbing epiphytes or lithophytes. Rhizomes often thick; scales peltate, clathrate. Stipes remote, articulate with rhizome; lamina usually simple or pinnatisect, thickened at margin, glabrous; veins distinctly anastomosing, wit h free, included veinlets. Sori round or elliptic, in 1 (or 2) rows on each side of midrib, ±sunk in the lamina, resulting in protuberances on upper surface.</description> <distribution>A genus of c. 12 species from Africa, Madagascar and the Mascarene Isl ands, to warm temperate Asia, Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific islands; 1 species native to Norfolk Is., 2 species native to Lord Howe Is. (1 subspecies endemic).</distribution> <bibliography>G.Bentham, Filices, Polypodium, Fl. Austral. 7: 769–770 (1878).</bibliography> Scales on rhizomes ±appressed; rhizome fleshy, 3–10 mm diam.; base of lamina shortly decurrent onto stipe; lobes of lamina 0.7 –2 cm broad; sori near middle of lamina (N.Is., L.H.Is.) 1. P. pustulatus Scales on rhizome squarrose; rhizome slender, 2–7 mm diam.; base of lamina long-decurrent onto stipe; lobes of lamina 0.4–1 cm broad; sori submarginal (L.H.Is.) </taxon> 2. P. scandens <taxon><seq>1</seq><parent>Phymatosorus</parent><name_info><name>pustulatus</ name><author>(G.Forst.) M.F.Large, J.E.Braggins & P.S.Green</author><protologue><ref>New Zealand J. Bot. 30: 207</ref><date>(1992),</date><protologue_note>as P. pustulatum</protologue_note></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><citation>Polypodium pustulatum G.Forst., Fl. Ins. Austr. 81 (1786).</citation><type>T: New Zealand, J.R. & G.Forster; lecto: BM, fide M.F.Large et al., Kew Bull. 47: 126 (1992). The epithet is Latin for having pustules, in reference to the lamina appearing blistered due to the slightly sunken sori.</type></synonym></synonymy> <description>Epiphytic, lithophytic or terrestrial ferns, climbing or creeping. Rhizome fleshy, 3–10 mm diam., with appressed brown scales. Fronds variously dissected; stipe 1.5– 30 cm long, glabrous except at articulated base; lamina shortly decurrent onto stipe, simple, trisect or pinnatisect, glabrous or occasionally with scattered small, clathrate scales; veins reticulate, linked to a wavy submarginal vein; lobes of lamina 2–14, 0.7–2 cm broad, on each side of broadly winged rachis; sori remote from margin of lamina, ±sunken.</description> <note>Two subspecies are recognised.</note> Sori median on the lamina, rarely deeply sunken in lamina; scales of rhizome 1–2 mm broad; frond 3-lobed or pinnatisect, rarely 2pinnate, often simple 1a. subsp. pustulatus 49 Sori submarginal or about 1/3 of the way from the margin to the midrib, rarely median, deeply sunken in lamina; scales of rhizome 1.5–3.3 mm broad; fronds mostly pinnatisect, sometimes 3-lobed (rarely simple) </taxon> 1b. subsp. howensis <taxon><seq>1a</seq><rank>subsp.</rank><parent>Phymatosorus pustulatus</parent><author_autonym>(G.Forst.) M.F.Large, J.E.Braggins P.S.Green</author_autonym><name_info><name>pustulatus</name></name_info> & <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><citation>Polypodium diversifolium Willd., Sp. Pl. 5th edn, 5(1): 166 (1810).</citation><type>T: Australia, ? J.J.H. de Labillardière; holo: B n.v., IDC microfiche 7740/1.1419/1.</type></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>Polypodium billardieri R.Br.: S.F.L.Endlicher, Prodr. Fl. Norfolk. 7 (1833).</citation><type>T: Tasmania, R.Brown; holo: ?BM n.v.</type></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Polypodium phymatodes auct. non L.: A.Cunningham in R.Heward, J. Bot. (Hooker) 1: 121 (1842)]</citation></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Polypodium scandens auct. non G.Forst.: K.Domin, Biblioth. Bot. 85: 178 (1915)]</citation></synonym></synonymy> <illustrations>Illustrations: B.D.Duncan & G.Isaac, Ferns & Allied Pl. Victoria, Tasmania & S. Australia 155, fig. 15.1A, 156, figs 15.2A, 15.3 (1986), as Microsorum diversifolium; S.B.Andrews, Ferns Queensland 282, fig. 28.4D (1990); P.G.Wilson in G.J.Harden, Fl. New South Wales 1: 41 (1990), as Microsorum diversifolium.</illustrations> <description>Epiphytic or lithophytic, sometimes terrestrial fern, climbing. Rhizome 3 –7 mm diam.; scales 3–6 mm long, 1–2 mm broad, attenuate, slenderly acuminate, eventually deciduous. Fronds: stipe 1.5–30 cm long; lamina 10–40 cm long, simple (narrowly elliptic), trisect or pinnatisect; lobes 2–10, 3–15 cm long, 0.7–2 cm broad, occasionally with scattered, small, clathrate, peltate scales, acute. Sori slightly sunken, ovoid, 1.5 –4 mm diam., about midway between margin and midrib.</description> <common_name>Kangaroo Fern.</common_name> <image kind="fig"><image_text>Fig. D.</image_text><image_url>v*****_f*****.jpg</image_url></image> 102C– <distribution>Norfolk Is. Also known from eastern Australia (southern Qld to Tas.) and New Zealand.</distribution> <habitat>Locally abundant in shady forest.</habitat> <specimens>N.Is.: E slopes of Mt Bates, R.D.Hoogland 11250 (CANB, NSW); beside Red Rd, P.S.Green 1381 (A, NSW); s. loc., A.Cunningham 19 (K); s. loc., W.Laing (CHR).</specimens></taxon> </author><synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><type>T: Transit Hill, Lord Howe Island, Oct. 1963, R.D.Hoogland 8673; holo: NSW; iso: CANB. The epithet alludes to Lord Howe Island, where this subspecies is endemic.</type></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Polypodium scandens auct. non G.Forst.: C.Moore in E.S.Hill, Votes & Proc. Legislative Assembly New South Wales 26 (1870)]</citation></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Polypodium billardieri auct. non R.Br.: F.J.H. von Mueller, Fragm. 9: 78 (1875)]</citation></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Polypodium pustulatum auct. non G.Forst.: G.Bentham, Fl. Austral. 7: 770 (1878)]</citation></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Polypodium diversifolium auct. non Willd.: W.R.B.Oliver, Trans. & Proc. New Zealand Inst. 49: 124 (1917)]</citation></synonym></synonymy> <description>Epiphytic, lithophytic or terrestrial ferns. Rhizome creeping, 4 –10 mm diam.; scales broadly lanceolate, 3–5 mm long, 1.5–3 mm broad, acute to abruptly acuminate. Fronds (simple?), trisect (rarely), or pinnatisect; stipe 10–25 cm long; lamina 15–35 cm long, shortly decurrent onto stipe at base; lobes 2–14, 3–20 cm long, 0.8–2 cm broad, blunt to 50 acute, glabrous. Sori manifestly sunken, globose, 1.5–3 mm diam., about 1/3 of the way in from margin to midrib.</description> <image kind="fig"><image_text>Fig. F.</image_text><image_url>v*****_f*****.jpg</image_url></image> 102E– <distribution>Lord Howe Is. Endemic.</distribution> <habitat>Frequent on mossy rocks, decaying stumps etc. in forested areas.</habitat> <specimens>L.H.Is.: SE lower slopes of Malabar, P.S.Green 1561 (K, NSW); Neds Beach, A.N.Rodd 1486 (NSW); track to Smoking Tree Ridge at Big (Deep) Ck, J.C.Game 69/119 (K); Big Slope, 1972, H.J. de S.Disney (NSW).</specimens></taxon> <taxon><seq>2</seq><parent>Phymatosorus</parent><name_info><name>scandens</n ame><author>(G.Forst.) Pic.Serm.</author><protologue><ref> Webbia 28: 459</ref><date>(1973)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><citation>Polypodium scandens G.Forst., Fl. Ins. Austr. 81 (1786); Microsorum scandens (G.Forst.) Tindale, Amer. Fern J. 50: 241 (1960).</citation><type>T: 'Society Islands', J.R. & G.Forster; lecto: BM, fide M.D.Tindale, Amer. Fern J. 50: 241 (1960). The epithet comes from the Latin scando (I climb), in allusion to the habit.</type></synonym></synonymy> <illustrations>Illustrations: D.L.Jones & S.C.Clemesha, Austral. Ferns & Fern Allies 2nd edn, 171, fig. 228 (1981), as Microsorum scandens; S.B.Andrews, Ferns Queensland 282, fig. 28.4C (1990), as Microsorum scandens; P.J.Brownsey & J.C.Smith-Dodsworth, New Zealand Ferns & Allied Pl. 63, fig. 62, 65, fig. 66, t. 14C (1989).</illustrations> <description>Epiphytic, lithophytic or terrestrial fern, climbing. Rhizome elongate, slender, 2–7 mm diam.; scales dense, narrow, 4–5 mm long, 1–1.2 mm broad at base, squarrose, clathrate, dark brown, persistent. Fronds simple or usually pinnatisect: stipe 5–15 cm long, glabrous except at articulated base; lamina 10–40 cm long, long-decurrent onto stipe; lobes 1–3 on each side of winged midrib, 1–10 cm long, 0.4–1 cm broad, long-acute, glabrous; veins reticulate, not forming a wavy submarginal vein. Sori ±immersed, globose to oval, 1– 2.5 mm diam., submarginal.</description> <distribution>Lord Howe Is. Occasional to frequent on the mountainous southern end of the Island. Also known from eastern Australia (Qld to Tas.) and New Zealand.</ distribution> <habitat>Occurs in forest.</habitat> <specimens>L.H.Is.: Upper Erskine Valley, A.N.Rodd 3707 (NSW); summit plateau of Mt Gower, J.Pickard 2627 & 2631 (NSW).</specimens> <note>This species has been cited from Norfolk Is. by M.D.Tindale (Contr. New South Wales Natl. Herb. Fl. Ser. 201: 42, 1961) with the comment that she has 'not seen any specimen of M. scandens from Norfolk Island'. A convincing collection from Norfolk Is. has not been seen in the preparation of this treatment either, but there is a specimen, formerly part of Christensen's herbarium, now at the British Natural History Museum (BM), labelled 'Norfolk Island', No.4' and attributed to Cunningham (but not in Cunningham's hand). In the absence of any other collection of this species from the Island, this specimen must be considered to have been mislabelled.</note></taxon> <taxon><rank>family</rank><title>GRAMMITIDACEAE</title> <description>Small epiphytes or lithophytes. Rhizomes erect or shortly creeping, r arely long-creeping; scales shining brown, often with unicellular hairs. Stipes usually crowded, usually with spreading unicellular or branched hairs. Fronds uniform, simple or more rarely pinnatifid or pinnate; pinnae sessile, entire or toothed, with unicellular or branched hairs; 51 veins usually free. indusia.</description> Sori round to elliptic, superficial or immersed; without <distribution>A family of c. 10 genera and c. 400 species, mainly tropical, and characteristic of montane cloud-forest; 1 genus native on Lord Howe Is. Previously included in the Polypodiaceae.</distribution> </taxon> <taxon><rank>gen.</rank><parent>GRAMMITIDACEAE</parent><seq>1</seq><title >GRAMMITIS</title> <name_info><name>Grammitis</name><author>Sw.</author><protologue><ref>J. Bot. (Schrader) 1800(2): 17</ref><date>(1801)</date></protologue></name_info><etymology>from the Greek gramma, grammikos (a written character, linear), in allusion to the sori forming narrow lines in these ferns</etymology> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><type>Type: Sw.</type></synonym></synonymy> G. marginella (Sw.) <description>Small epiphytes. Rhizomes short, ascending or creeping, with scales at apex. Fronds crowded, not articulated with rhizome, simple, entire or rarely irregularly lobed, usually attenuate at base and apex, usually with setose hairs, sometimes glabrous, without scales; veins simple or forked, rarely slightly reticulate, without free included vein endings. Sori usually superficial, usually in a single row on each side of midrib, round or elongate.</description> <distribution>A pantropical genus of c. 160 species; 3 species endemic to Lord Howe Is.</distribution> <habitat>Especially characteristic of cool, montane cloud-forests.</habitat> <bibliography>G.Bentham, Filices, Polypodium, Grammitis, Fl. Austral. 7: 763, 774–777 (1878).</bibliography> 1 Fronds glabrous; sori ±confined to upper part of frond 1: 2 1. G. diminuta Fronds setose; sori usually throughout entire length of frond Setose hairs 0.5–2 mm long; fronds (including stipe) 3–8 cm long 2. G. nudicarpa 2: Setose hairs 2–4 mm long; fronds (including stipe) 6–25 cm long </taxon> 3. G. wattsii <taxon><seq>1</seq><parent>Grammitis</parent><name_info><name>diminuta</nam e><author>(Baker) Copel.</author><protologue><ref>Philipp. J. Sci. 80: 141, fig. 13</ref><date>(1952)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><citation>Polypodium diminutum Baker in W.J.Hooker & J.G.Baker, Syn. Fil. 2nd edn, 507 (1874).</citation><type>T: Lord Howe Island, C.Moore [31]; holo: K. The epithet comes from the Latin diminutio (to decrease, diminish), in allusion to the tapered frond base.</type></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>Polypodium howeanum Watts, J. Proc. Roy. Soc. New South Wales 49: 388 (1915).</citation><type>T: Lord Howe Island, W.W.Watts; holo: NSW.</type></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Polypodium australe auct. non (R.Br.) Mett.: F.J.H. von Mueller, Fragm. 9: 78 (1875), p.p.]</citation></synonym></synonymy> <illustrations>Illustrations: (1987).</illustrations> E.B.Copeland, loc. cit.; D.L.Jones, Encycl. Ferns 54 <description>Epiphyte. Rhizome stoutish, erect; scales lanceolate, long-pointed, somewhat flexuous, light brown. Fronds simple; stipe merging shortly and imperceptably into attenuate base of lamina, glabrous; lamina very narrowly elliptic, 3–15 cm long, 0.4–0.8 cm broad, 52 entire, ±recurved when desiccated, long-attenuate at apex with tip blunt, ±coriaceous, glabrous; veins obscure. Sori elongate, 1 row on each side of prominent midrib in upper part of frond, with a tendency to coalesce.</description> <image kind="fig"><image_text>Fig. H.</image_text><image_url>v*****_f*****.jpg</image_url></image> 102G– <distribution>Lord Howe Is. Endemic. Occurs on the upper slopes and tops of Mts Gower and Lidgbird.</distribution> <habitat>Confined to cloud-forest.</habitat> <specimens>L.H.Is.: base of E cliffs of Mt Lidgbird, near Goat House, I.R.Telford 7080 & M.D.Crisp (CBG, NSW); summit plateau, Mt Gower, P.S.Green 1995 (K); summit of Mt Lidgbird, C.Moore 83 (K).</specimens></taxon> <taxon><seq>2</seq><parent>Grammitis</parent><name_info><name>nudicarpa< /na me><author>Copel.</author><protologue><ref>Univ. Calif. Publ. Bot. 18: 222</ref><date>(1942)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><type>T: Lord Howe Island, coll. unknown, 'No. 908,302.93'; holo: L n.v. The epithet comes from the Latin nudus (naked) and the Greek carpos (fruit), in allusion to the sporangia not bearing hairs.</type></synonym></synonymy> <illustrations>Illustration: E.B.Copeland, Philipp. J. Sci. 80: 143, fig. 15 (1952).</illustrations> <description>Very small epiphyte. Rhizome short; scales on apex relatively short, long pointed, dark brown. Fronds simple; stipe merging shortly and imperceptably into attenuate base of lamina, setose; lamina very narrowly oblanceolate, 2–8 cm long, 0.3–0.8 cm broad, entire, relatively abrupt, rounded and blunt at apex, setose with fine, dark brown hairs 0.5 –2 mm long throughout; veins obscure. Sori elliptic, in 1 row on each side of midrib, usually throughout entire length of frond, with dark setose hairs.</description> <image kind="fig"><image_text>Fig. J.</image_text><image_url>v*****_f*****.jpg</image_url></image> 102I– <distribution>Lord Howe Is. Endemic. Rare and confined to the summit areas on Mts Gower and Lidgbird.</distribution> <habitat>Found only in densely shaded areas.</habitat> <specimens>L.H.Is.: E side of Mt Lidgbird, J.C.Game 69/182 (K); E side of Mt Lidgbird, M.M.J. van Balgooy 1097 (L, NSW); summit of Mt Gower, J.P.Fullagar & Lind 21 p.p. (K).</specimens></taxon> <taxon><seq>3</seq><parent>Grammitis</parent><name_info><name>wattsii</name> <author>Copel.</author><protologue><ref>Univ. Cal. Publ. Bot. 18: 222</ref><date>(1942)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym Watts.</type></synonym> kind="nom"><type>T: as for Polypodium pulchellum <synonym kind="tax"><citation>Polypodium pulchellum Watts, J. Proc. Roy. Soc. New South Wales 49: 386 (1916), non Salisb. (1796).</citation><type>T: upper slopes of Mt Gower, Lord Howe Island, W.W.Watts?; holo: NSW; iso: K. Named after the Rev. W.W.Watts (1856–1920), prominent Australian cryptogamist about the turn of the century.</type></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Polypodium hirtum auct. non (Blume) C.Presl: W.J.Hooker in W.J.Hooker & J.G.Baker, Syn. Fil. 320 (1864), p.p.]</citation></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Polypodium hookeri auct. non Brack.: F.J.H. von Mueller, Fragm. 7: 104 (1870); G.Bentham, Fl. Austral. 7: 104 (1878), p.p.]</citation></synonym></synonymy> <illustrations>Illustration: E.B.Copeland, Philipp. J. Sci. 80: 143, fig. 14 (1952).</illustrations> <description>Epiphyte. Rhizome erect or shortly creeping; scales dense, narrow, long pointed, chestnut-brown. Fronds simple; stipe 0.5–5 cm long, merging imperceptably into attenuate base of lamina, densely setose with chestnut-brown hairs 2–4 mm long; lamina 53 very narrowly elliptic-linear, 5–20 cm long, 0.4–1.2 cm broad, entire, gradually narrowed at apex, tip blunt, setose throughout with fine, dark or chestnut -brown hairs, especially on margins; veins obscure. Sori round to elongate-elliptic, 1 row on each side of midrib throughout length of frond, with denser groups of setose hairs.</descripti on> <image kind="fig"><image_text>Fig. L.</image_text><image_url>v*****_f*****.jpg</image_url></image> 102K– <distribution>Lord Howe Is. Endemic. Confined to the tops of Mts Gower and Lidgbird.</distribution> <habitat>Found in cloud-forest.</habitat> <specimens>L.H.Is.: top of Mt Gower, P.S.Green 1595 (A, K, NSW); SW corner of Mt Gower plateau, J.C.Game 69/020 (K, NSW); top of Mt Lidgbird, C.Moore 22 (K).</specimens></taxon> <taxon><rank>family</rank><title>CYATHEACEAE</title> <contributors><contributor>P.S.Green</contributor><contributor_address>Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 3AB, England</contributor_address></contributors> <description>Tree ferns with a definite trunk-like caudex. Stipe base usually ±persistent, eventually leaving a scar on the trunk; fronds small to large, 1 –4-pinnate. Sori dorsal or marginal, round or ellipsoidal; indusia subtending and partially or entirely enclosing the sorus, or absent. Sporangia shortly stalked, often with paraphyses; annulus oblique.</description> <distribution>A pantropical family of c. 8 genera and c. 700 species.</distribution> <note>The genera Cystodium and Dicksonia are sometimes recognised as constituting a separate family, the Dicksoniaceae. R.Tryon (Contr. Gray Herb. 200: 1–53, 1970) proposed a reclassification of the Cyatheaceae not followed here. The following species were all treated in either Alsophila or Sphaeropteris.</note> <bibliography>G.Bentham, Filicales, Tribe Cyatheae, Fl. Austral. 7: 707–712 (1878); R.E.Holttum, The tree-ferns of the genus Cyathea in Australasia and the Pacific, Blumea 12: 241–274 (1964).</bibliography> </taxon> <taxon><rank>gen.</rank><parent>CYATHEACEAE</parent><seq>1</seq><title>CY ATHEA</title> <name_info><name>Cyathea</name><author>Sm.</author><protologue><ref> Mém. Acad. Roy. Sci. (Turin) 5: 416</ref><date>(1793)</date></protologue></name_info><etymology>from the Greek kyatheion (a little cup), in allusion to the indusia in some of these ferns</etymology> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><type>Type: Sm.</type></synonym></synonymy> C. arborea (L.) <description>Tree ferns; apical bud clothed in scales. Fronds usually large, usually more than 1.5 m long, 1–3-pinnate or pinnatifid, with an indumentum of scales and hairs; stipe thick, densely covered with ±caducous scales towards the base; veins simple or branched, free. Sori dorsal on veins or vein dichotomies; indusia present or absent; receptacle erect, somewhat club-shaped to spherical; filamentous paraphyses often present.</description> 54 <distribution>A mainly tropical genus of c. 600 or more species, extending south to New Zealand, Chile and South Africa. Two species native to Norfolk Is.; 4 species native to Lord Howe Is.</distribution> <bibliography>G.Bentham, Filicales, Cyathea, Fl. Austral. 7: 707–709 (1878).</bibliography> 1 Pinnules in the central portion of the pinnae 7–14 cm long, with 16–20 opposite pairs (before they diminish markedly in size towards the long, pointed apex) 2 Fertile pinnules deeply pinnatisect, the divisions in the centre of the pinnule joined basally along the costa by 0.5–1 mm of continuous lamina 3 Pinna rachis, costae and costules on the upper side at the base of the lamina with hairs and some scattered scales; stipe and primary rachis with a mixture of scales and crumpled hairs, but scarcely a felted indumentum (N.Is.) 1. C. australis 3: Pinna rachis, costae and costules on the upper side at the base of lamina glabrous; stipe and primary rachis with felted indumentum of crumpled hairs (L.H.Is.) 2. C. macarthurii 2: Fertile pinnules completely pinnatifid, the divisions in the centre of the pinnules not joined by even a narrowly continuous lamina at their base 4 Lower surface of costae and costules scurfy with narrow setiferous scales, soon detached (L.H.Is.) 5. C. robusta 4: Lower surface of costae and costules ±felted with small, thin, entangled, fringed scales, soon detached (N.Is.) 6. C. brownii 1: 5 Pinnules in central portion of pinnae 3–7 cm long, with 10–15 lamina segments (before diminishing in size towards the apex) (L.H.Is.) Lower surface of costae and costules with small (0.15–1 mm long), scattered, 'bubble-like', bullate scales; pinnules deeply toothed, with acute teeth deflexed round sori 3. C. howeana 5: Lower surface of costae and costules without scales, somewhat prickly with the bases of early shed scales; pinnules ±entire except where fertile; fertile pinnules deeply toothed, with rounded teeth deflexed around sori </taxon> 4. C. brevipinna <taxon><seq>1</seq><parent>Cyathea</parent><name_info><name>australis</name> <author>(R.Br.) Domin</author><protologue><ref>Pteridophyta 262</ref><date>(1929)</date></protologue></name_info> </taxon> </author><synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><type>T: P.H.Metcalfe; holo: NSW. So named as Is.</type></synonym> Norfolk coming Island, 1905, from Norfolk <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Cyathea medullaris auct. non (G.Forst.) Sw.: S.F.L.Endlicher, Prodr. Fl. Norfolk. 15 (1833)]</citation></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Alsophila australis auct. non R.Br.: G.Bentham, Fl. Austral. 7: 710 (1878), p.p.]</citation></synonym></synonymy> <description>Trunk to 8 m tall; frond bases persistent; scars largish, shaggy. Fronds: stipe c. 50 cm long, prickly, scurfy-hairy; base covered with dark brown, twisted-pointed scales 2–4 cm long; costae and to a lesser extent costules covered below with a mixed tomentum of large pale scales, small 'bubble-like' scales and fine crumpled hairs (easily rubbed off); lamina bipinnatisect to tripinnate; primary pinnae to 50 cm long, ±flat, acuminate; secondary pinnae 8–10 cm long, c. 1.5 cm broad; largest pinnules 16–20 pairs, 8–10 mm long, 2.5–3 mm broad, with lowest 1 or 2 pairs of pinnules free, remainder adnate by a continuous lamina up to 1 mm wide on each side of costa. Sori without indusia.</description> 55 <common_name>Rough Tree Fern, Farn.</common_name> <image kind="fig"><image_text>Fig. D.</image_text><image_url>v*****_f*****.jpg</image_url></image> 103A– <distribution>Norfolk Is. Endemic; found on Mts Pitt and Bates, not common.</distribution> <habitat>Found in the valleys and upper slopes of Mts Pitt and Bates.</habitat> <specimens>N.Is.: S slopes of Mt Pitt, R.D.Hoogland 11354 (K, MEL, NSW); loc. id., P.S.Green, P.Ralston & O.Evans 1416, 1417 & 1418 (K).</specimens> <note>Although described as a subspecies of the east Australian C. australis, this plant has been thought by some to be more correctly treated as an endemic Norfolk Is. species.</note> </taxon> <taxon><seq>2</seq><parent>Cyathea</parent><name_info><name>macarthurii</nam e><author>(F.Muell.) Baker</author><protologue><ref>J. Bot. 12: 280</ref><date>(1874)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><citation>Hemitelia macarthurii F.Muell., Fragm. 8: 176 (Apr. 1874), non Alsophila macarthurii Hook. (1866); Alsophila ferdinandii R.M.Tryon, Contr. Gray Herb. 200: 37 (1970).</citation><type>T: Lord Howe Island, W.Carron & C.Moore; syn: MEL; Lind & J.P.Fullagar; syn: MEL. Named after Sir William Macarthur (1800– 1882), an early botanist, horticulturalist and agriculturalist in N.S.W., who did much to establish a wine industry in Australia.</type></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>Cyathea moorei Baker in W.J.Hooker & J.G.Baker, Syn. Fil. 2nd edn, 453 (Oct. 1874), non Alsophila moorei J.Sm. (1866).</citation><type>T: Lord Howe Island, C.Moore; holo: K.</type></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Cyathea dealbata auct. non (G.Forst.) Sw.: W.J.Hooker & J.G.Baker, Syn. Fil. 26 (1865), p.p.; H.H.Allan, Fl. New Zealand 1: 40 (1961), p.p.]</citation></synonym></synonymy> <description>Trunk to 4 m or more tall, usually ±shaggy with dark, persistent frond bases, sometimes clear with round scars. Fronds: stipe prickly, with light brown woolly indumentum covered with long, twisted, acuminate brown scales 2–3 cm long; costae glabrous above, with a pale brown, woolly, felt-like indumentum of pale crumpled hairs (easily rubbed off), over a finely warty surface below; lamina bipinnatisect; primary pinnae to 50 cm long, slender-pointed; secondary pinnae 7–11 cm long, 1.5 cm broad; largest pinnules 16–18 pairs, 5–9 mm long, 2–3 mm broad, ±glaucous, shallowly adnate by 0.5 mm on each side of the costae. Sori with saucer-shaped indusia.</description> <image kind="fig"><image_text>Fig. G.</image_text><image_url>v*****_f*****.jpg</image_url></image> 103E– <distribution>Lord Howe Is. Endemic.</distribution> <habitat>Widespread from relatively low elevations (e.g. Intermediate Hill) onto the mountains</habitat> <specimens>L.H.Is.: Mt Lidgbird, C.Moore 29 (K, MEL); E slopes of Mt Lidgbird, P.S.Green 1691 (K); summit of Mt Gower, J.Pickard 3594 (NSW); The Saddle, J.Pickard 3625 (NSW).</specimens> <note>Perhaps the commonest tree fern on the Island.</note> </taxon> <taxon><seq>3</seq><parent>Cyathea</parent><name_info><name>howeana</name> <author>Domin</author><protologue><ref>Pteridophyta 264</ref><date>(1929)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><type>T: as for Hemitelia moorei Baker. Named after Lord Howe Island.</type></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>Hemitelia moorei Baker, Gard. Chron. 31: 252 (1872); Cyathea moorei (Baker) F.Muell., Syst. Census Austral. Pl. 137 (1882), nom. illeg. non 56 Baker (1874).</citation><type>T: K.</type></synonym></synonymy> Lord Howe Island, C.Moore; holo: <illustrations>Illustration: C.J.Goudey, Austral. Fern J. 1: [3] t. 4 (1984).</illustrations> <description>Trunk to 3 m tall, with round leaf scars below the crown; stipe bases not persistent. Fronds: stipe with relatively few, caducous brown scales with pale margin and without terminal seta; costae and costules with numerous matted, pale bubble -like bullate scales 0.15–1 mm long, and some short, crumpled hairs below, with dense, long, pale, antrorse hairs above, few or absent on costules; lamina tripinnate; primary pinnae to 35 cm long, relatively shortly acuminate; secondary pinnae 4–7 cm long, 1–2 cm broad; largest pinnules 12–15 pairs, 5–9 mm long, 2–3 mm broad, free, deeply toothed, with teeth acute, usually reflexed. Sori attached on one side, usually enclosed in deflexed pinnule lobes.</description> <image kind="fig"><image_text>Fig. K.</image_text><image_url>v*****_f*****.jpg</image_url></image> 103H– <distribution>Lord Howe Is. Endemic; found on Mts Gower and Lidgbird.</distribution> <habitat>Frequent on the slopes and tops of Mts Gower and Lidgbird.</habitat> <specimens>L.H.Is.: top of Mt Gower, P.S.Green 1597 (K, NSW); Mt Lidgbird, about Round Face, J.Pickard 1449 (NSW); NE flank of Mt Lidgbird, M.M.J. van Balgooy 1146 (NSW); Erskine Valley, A.N.Rodd 1773 (NSW).</specimens> <note>The affinity of this species lies, along with others in the Melanesian C. decurrens Copel. group, with Central and South America (see R.E.Holttum, Kew Bull. 37: 383–388, 1982).</note> </taxon> <taxon><seq>4</seq><parent>Cyathea</parent><name_info><name>brevipinna</name ><author>Baker ex Benth.</author><protologue><ref>Fl. Austral. 7: 709</ref><date>(1878)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><citation>Alsophila brevipinna (Baker ex Benth.) R.M.Tryon, Contr. Gray Herb. 200: 36 (1970).</citation><type>T: Lord Howe Island, Lind & J.P.Fullagar; holo: K; iso: MEL, NSW. The name refers to the short (brief) pinnae.</type></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Cyathea medullaris auct. non (G.Forst.) Sw.: F.J.H. von Mueller, Fragm. 9: 78 (1875)]</citation></synonym></synonymy> <description>Trunk 1.5–3 m tall, with dense, reddish brown scales near top; leaf scars with persistent ±fibrous stipe bases. Fronds: stipe 25–50 cm long, with scales ±persistent, narrow, 2–3 cm long, with a fine tip, dark brown with a lighter edge, warty below; costae and costules glabrescent below except for scattered warty bases of early shed scales, somewhat prickly, with antrorse hairs above, few or absent on costules; lamina tripinnate; primary pinnae to 20 cm long; secondary pinnae 3–5 cm long, 1–1.2 cm broad; largest pinnules 10– 15 pairs, 5–6 mm long, 2–5 mm broad, free; fertile pinnules deeply divided, with divisions rounded-crenate and curled over sori. Sori attached on one side, with large, persistent indusia.</description> <image kind="fig"><image_text>Fig. M.</image_text><image_url>v*****_f*****.jpg</image_url></image> 103L– <distribution>Lord Howe Is. Endemic; on the higher parts of Mt Gower (and presumably Mt Lidgbird, but no collections or records have been seen from there).</distributio n> <habitat>It often grows in exposed positions and is then somewhat stunted and gnarled.</habitat> <specimens>L.H.Is.: top of Mt Gower, P.S.Green 1591 (K); summit plateau of Mt Gower, J.Pickard 2644, 3573 & 3595 (NSW); loc. id., A.N.Rodd 1367 (NSW).</specimens> <note>This species is said to spread and reproduce by means of stolons.</note> </taxon> 57 <taxon><seq>5</seq><parent>Cyathea</parent><name_info><name>robusta</name>< author>Holttum</author><protologue><ref>Blumea 12: 265</ref><date>(1964)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><citation>Alsophila robusta C.Moore ex Maiden, Proc. Linn. Soc. New South Wales 23: 144 (1898), non de Vriese (1852); Sphaeropteris robusta (Holttum) R.M.Tryon, Contr. Gray Herb. 200: 24 (1970).</citation><type>T: Lord Howe Island, C.Moore 1; holo: K. Named in allusion to its robust habit.</type></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>Alsophila australis var. nigrescens Benth., Fl. Austral. 7: 711 (1878).</citation><type>T: Lord Howe Island, C.Moore; holo: ?MEL n.v.</type></synonym></synonymy> <description>Trunk to 5 m tall, with roundish scars; stipe bases variably persistent with lower parts of trunk often clear. Fronds: stipe c. 1 m long, rough, ±glaucous, with basal scales 2–4 cm long, whitish, with dark brown, setiferous margins; costae (and to a lesser extent costules) with pale scales of mixed sizes with setiferous margins below, and with fine pale antrorse setiferous hairs on veins above; lamina tripinnate; primary pinnae to 50 cm long; pinna rachis with numerous short warty excrescences and small scurfy scales, occasionally with white caducous scales; secondary pinnae 7 –11 cm long, 1.2–2 cm broad; largest pinnules 18–20 pairs, 5–6 mm long, 2.5–3 mm broad, free. Sori without indusia, with paraphyses around the base.</description> <image kind="fig"><image_text>Fig. O.</image_text><image_url>v*****_f*****.jpg</image_url></image> 103N– <distribution>Lord Howe Is. Endemic; widespread, but rarer than the other species, scattered in the southern mountainous areas at low to medium elevations.</distribution> <specimens>L.H.Is.: Boat Harbour track, J.Pickard 2649 (K, NSW); Rocky Run, J.Pickard 3424 (NSW); Dinner Run, P.S.Green 2341 (K); N side of Mt Lidgbird, A.C.Beauglehole 5365 (MEL).</specimens> <note>On juvenile plants abundant.</note> </taxon> the large, white scales are very prominent and <taxon><seq>6</seq><parent>Cyathea</parent><name_info><name>brownii</name>< author>Domin</author><protologue><ref>Pteridophyta 262</ref><date>(1929)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><type>T: Norfolk Island, 1804–1805, F.L.Bauer; holo: W. Named after Robert Brown (1773–1858), naturalist on Lieutenant M.Flinders' voyage of exploration around Australia in the Investigator.</type></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>Alsophila excelsa R.Br. ex Endl., Prodr. Fl. Norfolk. 16 (1833), non Cyathea excelsa Sw.; Sphaeropteris excelsa (R.Br. ex Endl.) R.M.Tryon, Contr. Gray Herb. 200: 24 (1970).</citation><type>T: as for Cyathea brownii.</type></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>Alsophila robusta var. norfolkiana R.M.Laing, Trans. & Proc. New Zealand Inst. 47: 9 (1915).</citation><type>T: Norfolk Is., R.M.Laing; holo: CHR.</type></synonym></synonymy> <illustrations>Illustrations: W.J.Hooker, Gen. Fil. t. 9 (1842); W.J.Hooker, Sp. Fil. 1: t. 18A (1844); D.L.Jones, Encycl. Ferns: 25 (1987).</illustrations> <description>Trunk usually to 5 m, rarely to 18 m tall, smooth, with stipe base scars. Fronds: stipe 30–50 cm long, finely warty; basal scales narrow, 2–4 cm long, lightish brown, caducous; costae and costules below with dense felted hairs and small narrow scales with marginal hairs; costae above with shortish crisped antrorse hairs, glabrous on upper surface of veins; lamina tripinnate; primary pinnae to 60 cm long with apex long-pointed; pinna rachis finely warty with caducous, fine, ±felted hairs; secondary pinnae 7 –13 cm long, 1.5– 2.2 cm broad; largest pinnules 16–18 pairs, 8–15 mm long, 2–4 mm broad, free, shallowly crenate, acuminate; fertile pinnules with margin recurved over sori. Sori without indusium, with paraphyses.</description> <common_name>Norfolk Tree Fern, Farn.</common_name> 58 <image kind="fig"><image_text>Fig. R.</image_text><image_url>v*****_f*****.jpg</image_url></image> 103P– <distribution>Norfolk Is. Endemic; common, occurring at all elevations.</distribution> <specimens>N.Is.: Palm Glen, R.D.Hoogland 11358 (K, NSW); top of Mount Bates, P.S.Green, P.Ralston & O.Evans 1419 (K); Now-Now Valley, W.Laing (CHR).</specimens> <note>Records of individuals with trunks to 24 m tall have been reported in the past.</note></taxon> <taxon><rank>doubtful</rank><parent> Cyathea< /parent><seq>1</seq><title> Doubtfu l record </title> <note>Culcita dubia (R.Br.) Maxon was, under the name Davallia dubia R.Br., recorded from Lord Howe Is. by G.Bentham (Fl. Austral. 7: 178, 1878), citing a Moore & Fullagar specimen, but no such collection is represented in the herbarium at Kew, where Bentham worked. There is, however, a specimen of this species labelled: 'Lord Howe's Island, Herb. Macleay, received 5/73' in Baker's hand, but there has been no other record and, without such confirmation, it is best to treat this specimen as having been mislabelled.</note></taxon> <taxon><rank>family</rank><title>THELYPTERIDACEAE</title> <description>Terrestrial ferns. Rhizome erect or creeping; scales with marginal, also often superficial, unicellular hairs. Fronds pinnate to usually bipinnatifid or sometimes tripinnatifid, with a transparent membrane in the sinus between pinna lobes; hairs acicular, unicellular on upper surface, sometimes with glandular hairs beneath; veins free or those from adjacent costules joining to produce an excurrent vein ending in a sinus. Sori round, indusiate, rarely naked; indusia kidney-shaped.</description> <distribution>A worldwide family of 15 or more genera and c. 900 species; 2 native genera on Norfolk Is., 1 of which also occurs on Lord Howe Is.</distribution> <note>The family was misinterpreted in the past and is currently under revision. An earlier belief in an affinity with Dryopteris is now discounted.</note> <bibliography>G.Bentham, Filices, Aspidium, Fl. Austral. 7: 756 (1878); R.E.Holttum, The family Thelypteridaceae in the Old World, J. Linn. Soc., Bot. 67: Suppl. 173–189 (1973); R.E.Holttum, The family Thelypteridaceae in the Pacific and Australia, Allertonia 1: 169–223 (1977).</bibliography> KEY TO GENERA Fronds pinnate to bipinnatifid; pinnules not as below Fronds bipinnate to tripinnatifid; pinnules decurrent as a narrow wing on the costa 1. CHRISTELLA 2. MACROTHELYPTERIS 59 </taxon> <taxon><rank>gen.</rank><parent>THELYPTERIDACEAE</parent><seq>1</seq><tit le>1. CHRISTELLA</title> <name_info><name>Christella</name><author>H.Lév.</author><protologue><ref> Fl. Kouy-Tchéou 472</ref><date>(1915)</date></protologue></name_info><etymology>named after K.H.H.Christ (1833–1933), Swiss pteridologist</etymology> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><type>Type: H.Lév.</type></synonym></synonymy> C. parasitica (L.) <description>Terrestrial ferns. Rhizomes erect or creeping; scales narrow, setiferous. Fronds pinnate, with basal veins of pinna segments usually anastomosing; hairs on both surfaces acicular, with short, capitate hairs often present, and the lower surface sometimes with thick, glandular hairs. Sori ±circular, indusiate.</description> <distribution>A genus of c. 50 species, found throughout the tropics and subtropics, especially in the Old World; 1 species native to Norfolk Is.; 1 species native to both Islands.</distribution> <bibliography>R.E.Holttum, The genus Christella H.Lév., Sect. Christella, Kew Bull. 31: 293–339 (1976).</bibliography> Lower pinnae in several pairs gradually reduced in length; rhizome ±tufted or very shortly creeping; veins beneath without orange glandular hairs (N.Is., L.H.Is.) 1. C. dentata Lower 1 or 2 pairs of pinnae abruptly reduced in length; rhizome distinctly creeping; veins beneath with orange glandular hairs (N.Is.) </taxon> 2. C. parasitica <taxon><seq>1</seq><parent>Christella</parent><name_info><name>dentata</name> <author>(Forssk.) Brownsey & Jermy</author><protologue><ref>Brit. Fern Gaz. 10: 338</ref><date>(1973)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><citation>Polypodium dentatum Forssk., Fl. Aegypt.Arab. 185 (1775).</citation><type>T: Arabia, P.Forsskål; holo: C n.v.; photo seen (IDC microfiche 2200/2.83/22). Epithet is Latin for toothed, in reference to the supposedly dentate margins to the pinnae.</type></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>Aspidium molle Sw., J. Bot. (Schrader) 1800(2): 34 (1801); Nephrodium molle (Sw.) R.Br., Prodr. 149 (1810).</citation><type>T: Caracas, Colombia, N.T. von Jacquin?; holo: not traced.</type></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>Nephrodium remotum Heward, London J. Bot. 1: 121 (1842).</citation><type>T: Norfolk Island, A.Cunningham 21**; holo: K.</type></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>Cyclosorus nymphalis (G.Forst.) Ching, Bull. Fan Mem. Inst. Biol. 10: 247 (1941).</citation><type>T: New Zealand, G.Forster; syn: K.</type></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Aspidium parasiticum auct. non (L.) Sw.: J.H.Maiden, Proc. Linn. Soc. New South Wales 28: 735 (1904)]</citation></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Dryopteris parasitica auct. non (L.) Kuntze: W.W.Watts, Proc. Linn. Soc. New South Wales 37: 396 (1913)]</citation></synonym></synonymy> <illustrations>Illustrations: D.L.Jones & S.C.Clemesha, Austral. Ferns & Fern Allies 2nd edn, 115 (1981); B.D.Duncan & G.Isaac, Ferns & Allied Pl. Victoria, Tasmania & S. Australia 186, fig. 18 (1986); S.B.Andrews, Ferns Queensland 357, fig. 36.3B, 358, fig. 36.4B (1990).</illustrations> <description>Rhizome at most very shortly creeping. Fronds 40 –50 cm tall; stipes borne close together; pinnae 15–25 pairs, 6–10 (–14) cm long, the lower 3–6 pairs gradually 60 reduced in length to c. 2–3 cm long, lobed for the lower 2/3; lobes rounded, slightly oblique; hairs on rachis, costae and veins pale, 0.2–0.5 mm long, slightly longer hairs on upper surface, below with minute, erect hairs between veins. Sori circular; indusia hairy.</description> <common_name>Binung.</common_name> <distribution>Norfolk Is., Lord Howe Is. This species is probably cosmopolitan, having a wide distribution throughout the tropics and subtropics of the Old World, including Australia, North Is. of New Zealand, and the Pacific islands.</distribution> <habitat>Fairly common on banks in the forest and wooded roadsides.</habitat> <specimens>N.Is.: Anson Bay Rd, near Selwyn Bridge, M.Lazarides 8055 (CANB, K); Ghost Corner, Anson Bay Road, P.S.Green 2381 (K); bottom of Douglas Drive, along Mission Rd, R.J.Chinnock 5912 (AD, K). L.H.Is.: Deep Ck, J.C.Game 69/317 (K); Middle Beach Common, J.Pickard 2700 (NSW); SW base of Mt Lidgbird, A.N.Rodd 1718 (NSW).</specimens> <note>The Norfolk Is. population is somewhat aberrant in having up to 6 pairs of reduced lower pinnae and in the presence of numerous capitate hairs on and between the veins.</note> </taxon> <taxon><seq>2</seq><parent>Christella</parent><name_info><name>parasitica</nam e><author>(L.) H.Lév.</author><protologue><ref>Fl. Kouy-Tchéou 475</ref><date>(1915)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><citation>Polypodium parasiticum L., Sp. Pl. 2: 1090 (1753).</citation><type>T: China, P.Osbeck; holo: S n.v., fide R.E.Holttum, Kew Bull. 31: 309 (1976). Named after its supposed 'parasitic', i.e. epiphytic, habit.</type></synonym></synonymy> <illustrations>Illustrations: D.L.Jones & S.C.Clemesha, Austral. Ferns & Fern Allies 2nd edn, 116, fig. 126 (1981); S.B.Andrews, Ferns Queensland 357, fig. 36.3C, 358, fig. 36.4C (1990); P.G.Wilson in G.J.Harden, Fl. New South Wales 1: 52 (1990).</illustrations> <description>Rhizome distinctly creeping. Fronds 30–100 cm tall: stipes somewhat separate at base; pinnae 15–20 pairs, 4–14 cm long, the lowest scarcely shorter than those above, lobed for the lower 2/3; lobes rounded, oblique; hairs on rachis, costae, veins and lamina pale, 0.2–0.75 mm long, the longest on the costae above, also numerous short capitate hairs and orange, glandular hairs below, usually on costae and veins. Sori circular; indusia hairy.</description> <distribution>Norfolk Is. Distributed from mainland SE Asia and Japan, through Malesia to Australia (Qld), New Caledonia and the Pacific islands.</distribution> <habitat>Uncommon on woodside banks.</habitat> <specimens>N.Is.: Anson Bay Rd, near Bullock Hut Rd, P.S.Green 2377 (K); Ghost Corner, S of site of old Anson Bay School, R.J.Chinnock 5925 (AD, K); Rocky Point area (Hundred Acre Reserve), W.R.Sykes NI 517 (CHR).</specimens> <note>Although the collections cited are here treated as Christella parasitica they are somewhat aberrant for the species. However, despite their slight differences from each other, without field and experimental studies it would be premature to name the Island population as a distinct new taxon. The Chinnock collection in its pubescence resembles Christella hispidula (Decne.) Holttum and it bears relatively few orange glands.</note> </taxon> 61 <taxon><rank>gen.</rank><parent>THELYPTERIDACEAE</parent><seq>2</seq><tit le>2. MACROTHELYPTERIS</title> <name_info><name>Macrothelypteris</name><author>(H.Itô) Ching</author><protologue><ref>Acta Phytotax. Sin. 308</ref><date>(1963)</date></protologue></name_info><etymology>from the makros (large) and Thelypteris, a related genus of ferns</etymology> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><type>Type: Ching</type></synonym></synonymy> M. oligophlebia 8: Greek (Baker) <description>Terrestrial ferns. Rhizome short, creeping or suberect; scales narrow with marginal and superficial fine hairs. Fronds large, bipinnate-tripinnatifid; rachis with hairtipped scales or long slender septate hairs; veins usually branched, not reaching margin. Sori circular, small; indusia lacking or very small.</description> <distribution>A genus of c. 9 species, extending from the Mascarenes to tropical Asia, Australia and the Pacific islands; 1 species native to Norfolk Is.</distribution> </taxon> <taxon><seq>1</seq><parent>Macrothelypteris</parent><name_info><name>torresian a</name><author>(Gaudich.) Ching</author><protologue><ref>Acta Phytotax. Sin. 8: 310</ref><date>(1963)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><citation>Polystichum torresianum Gaudich. in H.L.C. de S. de Freycinet, Voy. Uranie 333 (1828).</citation><type>T: Mariana Islands, C.GaudichaudBeaupré; holo: ?G n.v. Named after Don José Torres, resident on Guam in 1819, when the type specimen was collected during the expedition under de Freycinet in L'Uranie.</type></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>Aspidium uliginosum (1847).</citation><type>T: cultivated, spores from Java; destroyed.</type></synonym> Kuntze, Linnaea holo: ?LZ n.v., 20: 6 probably <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Aspidium setigerum auct. non (Blume) Kuhn: J.H.Maiden, Proc. Linn. Soc. New South Wales 28: 727 (1904)]</citation></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Dryopteris setigera auct. non (Blume) Kuntze: R.M.Laing, Trans. & Proc. New Zealand Inst. 47: 10 (1915)]</citation></synonym></synonymy> <illustrations>Illustrations: D.L.Jones & S.C.Clemesha, Austral. Ferns & Fern Allies 2nd edn, 167, fig. 272 (1976); S.B.Andrews, Ferns Queensland 349, fig. 36.1A (1990); P.G.Wilson in G.J.Harden, Fl. New South Wales 1: 51 (1990).</illustrations> <description>Rhizome stout, shortly creeping, densely covered with narrow, brown, hairy scales. Fronds to 2 m tall, triangular in outline, deeply tripinnatifid, pale green; stipe bases swollen; largest pinnae c. 20 cm long, 9 cm broad, deltoid; pinnules decurrent as a narrow wing along pinna rachis, oblique, deeply cut, with scattered, pale, slender hairs c. 1 mm long on costae and veins and short, capitate hairs on lamina surface. Sori small, circular; indusia very small.</description> <distribution>Norfolk Is. Rare. Known from the Old World tropics, from Madagascar to SE Asia, Australia (Qld), Polynesia and Hawai'i. It is also adventive in several parts of the New World.</distribution> <specimens>N.Is.: s. loc., P.H.Metcalfe (K).</specimens></taxon> <taxon><rank>family</rank><title>DENNSTAEDTIACEAE</title> <description>Terrestrial ferns. Rhizomes long-creeping, subterranean, usually bearing hairs. Fronds often distant, large, much divided, usually bearing multicellular hairs on rachis and usually also on lamina; veins free or anastomosing. Sori marginal or submarginal, terminal on veins, indusiate; indusium continuous, formed from modified margin of lamina or pouch - 62 shaped, or sorus protected by a 'cup' formed from fusion of indusium with a lobe of the margin.</description> <distribution>A mainly tropical family of c. 7 genera and c. 200 species; 3 genera native to Norfolk Is., of which 2 are also on Lord Howe Is.</distribution> KEY TO GENERA 1 Sori rounded, discrete, protected by a reflexed lobe of the margin 1: 2. HYPOLEPIS Sori linear, continuous, protected by a reflexed margin 2 Veins anastomosing; lamina ±soft, herbaceous; ultimate segments broad 2: Veins all free; lamina hard, coriaceous; ultimate segments narrow, linear 1. HISTIOPTERIS 3. PTERIDIUM </taxon> <taxon><rank>gen.</rank><parent>DENNSTAEDTIACEAE</parent><seq>1</seq><ti tle>1. HISTIOPTERIS</title> <name_info><name>Histiopteris</name><author>(J.Agardh) J.Sm.</author><protologue><ref>Hist. Fil. 294</ref><date>(1875)</date></protologue></name_info><etymology>from the Greek histion (a sail) and pteris (a fern), in allusion to the shape of the pinnae in these ferns</etymology> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><type>Type: J.Sm.</type></synonym></synonymy> H. vespertilionis (Labill.) <description>Rhizomes long, hairy. Fronds distant, large, usually tripinnatifid; stipe long, dark coloured; lamina soft; pinnae and pinnules opposite, with basal ones often 'stipule -like', ultimate segments broad, lobed or entire; veins anastomosing, without free included veinlets. Sori submarginal, continuous, linear or elongate, protected by an indusium formed from the reflexed and modified margin; paraphyses present.</description> <distribution>A genus of c. 7 species from tropical regions, extending to warm temperate areas in the Southern Hemisphere; 1 species native to the Islands.</distribution> <bibliography>G.Bentham, Filices, (1878).</bibliography> </taxon> Pteris, Fl. Austral. 7: 727–733 <taxon><seq>1</seq><parent>Histiopteris</parent><name_info><name>incisa</name> <author>(Thunb.) J.Sm.</author><protologue><ref>Hist. Fil. 295</ref><date>(1875)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><citation>Pteris incisa Thunb., Prodr. Pl. Cap. 171 (1800).</citation><type>T: The Cape [of Good Hope], S. Africa, C.P.Thunberg; holo: ?UPS n.v. The epithet comes from the Latin incisio (a cut or incision), in allusion to the shape of the margin of the pinnules.</type></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>Pteris brunoniana Endl., Prodr. Fl. Norfolk. (1833).</citation><type>T: Norfolk Island, F.L.Bauer; holo: W.</type></synonym> 12 <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Pteris comans auct. non G.Forst.: S.F.L.Endlicher, op. cit. 13]</citation></synonym> 63 <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Pteris vespertilionis auct. non Labill.: J.D.Hooker, Fl. Nov.Zel. 2: 26 (1854), p.p.]</citation></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Pteris aurita auct. non Blume: W.J.Hooker, Sp. Fil. 2: 231 (1858), p.p.]</citation></synonym></synonymy> <illustrations>Illustrations: D.L.Jones & S.C.Clemesha, Austral. Ferns & Fern Allies 2nd edn, 147, fig. 183 (1981); D.L.Jones, Encycl. Ferns 330 (1987); P.J.Brownsey & J.C.Smith-Dodsworth, New Zealand Ferns & Allied Pl. 95, fig. 116, t. 19F (1989).</illustrations> <description>Rhizome robust, 5–10 mm diam., with scales and hairs. Fronds: stipe to 1 m tall, polished, very dark brown towards base; lamina 1–2 m long, c. half as broad, usually tripinnatifid, ±soft, herbaceous, pea-green when young; ultimate pinnules becoming adnate towards ends of costules; sterile segments broadly triangular, rounded; fertile segments narrowly deltoid, acute; basal segments smaller and stipule-like.</description> <common_name>Oak Fern, Bat-Wing Fern.</common_name> <distribution>Norfolk Is., Lord Howe Is. Pantropical (especially on mountains), extend ing to southern temperate Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and New Caledonia.</distribution> <habitat>Widespread in forested and shaded areas, including disturbed ground.</habitat> <specimens>N.Is.: Now-Now Valley, R.M.Laing (CHR); Cascade, P.Ralston 63 (NSW); s. loc., A.Cunningham 38 (57) (K). L.H.Is.: Mt Gower, 1908, C.Hedley & W.S.Dunn (NSW); Mt Lidgbird, A.C.Beauglehole 6275 (MEL); Soldiers Cap, J.Pickard 2886 (NSW).</specimens> <note>Although R.M.Laing (Trans. & Proc. New Zealand Inst. 48: 236, 1916) claimed to differentiate between Pteris brunoniana and P. incisa, his specimens (examined on loan from CHR), which correspond to his descriptions and figures, can be matched by specimens in a range of material from New Zealand and Australia, showing them to be different growth forms of the same species.</note> </taxon> <taxon><rank>gen.</rank><parent>DENNSTAEDTIACEAE</parent><seq>2</seq><ti tle>2. HYPOLEPIS</title> <name_info><name>Hypolepis</name><author>Bernh.</author><protologue><ref> Neues J. Bot. 1(2): 34</ref><date>(1805)</date></protologue></name_info><etymology>from the Greek hypo- (under) and lepis (a scale), in allusion to the sori protected beneath a reflexed portion of the margin in these ferns</etymology> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><type>Type: C.Presl</type></synonym></synonymy> H. tenuifolia (G.Forst.) Bernh. ex <description>Rhizome hairy, scurfy or glabrous, lacking scales. Fronds distant ; stipe stout, continuous with rhizome; lamina 2–5-pinnate, glabrous or hairy, often glandular; veins free; pinnules sessile, rachis grooved above. Sori marginal or submarginal, rounded, discrete, usually indusiate from a ±reflexed marginal flap of the lamina; paraphyses rarely present.</description> <distribution>A mainly tropical genus of c. 45 species, with extensions into the warm temperate regions of the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, including South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.</distribution> <bibliography>G.Bentham, Filices, Hypolepis, Fl. Austral. 7: 726 (1878); P.J.Brownsey & R.J.Chinnock, New Zealand J. Bot. 22: 43–80 (1984); P.J.Brownsey, Blumea 32: 227–276 (1987); P.J.Brownsey & R.J.Chinnock, J. Adelaide Bot. Gard. 10: 1–30 (1987).</bibliography> 1 64 Primary rachis and its branches with both glandular and non glandular hairs, predominantly glandular, viscid when fresh (N.Is.) 2 Hairs on lamina undersurface stoutish, 0.2–1.5 mm long; indusial flap green at base, membranous at apex, tapering, often bearing glandular hairs on margin 2: Hairs on lamina undersurface fine, 0.1–1 mm long; indusial flap mostly membranous, broad, sometimes bearing glandular hairs on outer surface 1: Primary rachis and its branches with non-glandular hairs only (L.H.Is.) </taxon> 1. H. dicksonioides 2. H. tenuifolia 3. H. elegans <taxon><seq>1</seq><parent>Hypolepis</parent><name_info><name>dicksonioides</ name><author>(Endl.) Hook.</author><protologue><ref>Sp. Fil. 2: 61</ref><date>(1852)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><citation>Cheilanthes dicksonioides Endl., Prodr. Fl. Norfolk. 15 (1833); Hypolepis endlicherianum C.Presl, Tent. Pterid. 162 (1836), nom. illeg.</citation><type>T: Norfolk Island, F.L.Bauer; holo: W. Named from a presumed similarity of the fronds to those of Dicksonia.</type></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Polypodium rugulosum auct. non Labill.: S.F.L.Endlicher, op. cit. 7]</citation></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Cheilanthes arborescens auct. non Sw.: S.F.L.Endlicher, op. cit. 15]</citation></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Hypolepis tenuifolia auct. non (G.Forst.) Bernh. ex C.Presl: W.J.Hooker & J.G.Baker, Syn. Fil. 2nd edn, 129 (1874) p.p.; R.M.Laing, Trans. & Proc. New Zealand Inst. 47: 14 (1915); J.S.Turner et al., Conservation Norfolk Is. 30 (1968)]</citation></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Phegopteris punctata auct. non (Thunb.) Mett.: J.H.Maiden, Proc. Linn. Soc. New South Wales 28: 730 (1904)]</citation></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Dryopteris punctata auct. non (Thunb.) C.Chr.: R.M.Laing, Trans. & Proc. New Zealand Inst. 47: 10 (1915)]</citation></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Hypolepis punctata auct. non (Thunb.) Mett.: J.S.Turner et al., Conservation Norfolk Is. 30 (1968)]</citation></synonym></synonymy> <illustrations>Illustrations: P.J.Brownsey & R.J.Chinnock, New Zealand J. Bot. 22: 66 (1984); P.J.Brownsey & R.J.Chinnock, J. Adelaide Bot. Gard. 10: 5, fig. 2C, 23, fig. 11 (1987); P.J.Brownsey & J.C.Smith-Dodsworth, New Zealand Ferns & Allied Pl. 96, fig. 117, 98, fig. 120, t. 22B (1989).</illustrations> <description>Rhizome apex densely covered with pale brown hairs. Fronds: stipe 30 –60 (– 100) cm tall, with pale glandular and non-glandular hairs when young; lamina 30–100 cm long or more, almost as wide, bipinnate at apex, becoming 3- or 4-pinnate towards base; rachis and its branches viscid with soft, pale glandular and non -glandular hairs 0.2–1.5 mm long, especially above; hairs on undersurface of lamina stoutish, 0.2 –1.5 mm long; primary pinnae ±opposite, 15–50 cm long. Sori marginal, associated with ultimate segments, protected when young by reflexed, ear-like marginal lobes of lamina; lobes 0.3–0.8 mm wide, mostly green at base, membranous at apex, tapering, often with a few marginal, glandular hairs.</description> <common_name>Ground Fern, Brake Fern.</common_name> <image kind="fig"><image_text>Fig. B.</image_text><image_url>v*****_f*****.jpg</image_url></image> 104A– <distribution>Norfolk Is. Rare. Also known from the Ker madec Is., New Zealand (North Is. and the northernmost parts of South Is.), Samoa, the Society Is. and the Marquesas Is.</distribution> <habitat>Found in disturbed sites and open rocky places.</habitat> <specimens>N.Is.: Mt Bates, P.S.Green 1396 (A, K, NSW); s. loc., Oct.–Dec. 1849, C.J.Simmons (K).</specimens></taxon> 65 <taxon><seq>2</seq><parent>Hypolepis</parent><name_info><name>tenuifolia</nam e><author>(G.Forst.) Bernh. ex C.Presl</author><protologue><ref> Tent. Pterid. 162</ref><date>(1836)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><citation>Lonchitis tenuifolia G.Forst., Fl. Ins. Austr. 80 (1786).</citation><type>T: islands of the Pacific Ocean, G.Forster; lecto: BM, fide P.J.Brownsey & R.J.Chinnock, J. Adelaide Bot. Gard. 10: 5 (1987). The epithet comes from the Latin tenuis (fine, slender) and folium (a leaf), in allusion to the habit of the leaves.</type></synonym></synonymy> <illustrations>Illustrations: P.J.Brownsey & R.J.Chinnock, J. Adelaide Bot. Gard. 10: 5, fig. 2D (1987); D.L.Jones, Encycl. Ferns 5 (1987); S.B.Andrews, Ferns Queensland 128, fig. 10.3B (1990).</illustrations> <description>Rhizome apex covered with pale brown hairs. Fronds: stipe 30–150 cm tall, with pale glandular and non-glandular hairs above when young; lamina 25–150 cm long, 25– 120 cm broad, bipinnate at apex, becoming 4-pinnate towards base with hairs on undersurface fine and 0.1–1 mm long; rachis and its branches with soft, pale glandular and non-glandular hairs 0.1–1 mm long, above and below; primary pinnae subopposite, 15–80 cm long. Sori marginal, associated with ultimate segments, protected by broad, reflexed, ear like, membranous marginal lobes of lamina; lobes 0.5–1.2 mm wide, sometimes bearing glandular hairs on outer surface.</description> <image kind="fig"><image_text>Fig. 104C.</image_text><image_url>v*****_f*****.jpg</image_url></image> <distribution>Norfolk Is. Apparently rare, although much confused with H. dicksonioides. Also known from Qld and the Pacific islands, from Taiwan and Hainan, through the Philippines, Flores and New Guinea to New Caledonia, and as far as Mangareva and Pitcairn Is.</distribution> <specimens>N.Is.: Ball Bay, W.R.Sykes NI 106 (CHR); s. loc., J.Backhouse 736 (BM).</specimens></taxon> <taxon><seq>3</seq><parent>Hypolepis</parent><name_info><name>elegans</name ><author>Carruth. in B.C.Seemann</author><protologue><ref>Fl. Vit. 347</ref><date>(1873)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><type>T: Fiji, W.G.Milne & J.MacGillivray; holo: BM. Named in allusion to the elegant appearance of the fronds in this fern.</type></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>Hypolepis sp.; A.N.Rodd & J.Pickard, Cunninghamia 1: 269 (1983).</citation></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Davallia flaccida auct. non R.Br.: G.Bentham, Fl. Austral. 7: 714, 717 (1878), p.p.]</citation></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Hypolepis tenuifolia auct. non (G.Forst.) Bernh. ex C.Presl: G.Bentham, op. cit. 726, p.p.; W.R.B.Oliver, Trans. & Proc. New Zealand Inst. 49: 123 (1917)]</citation></synonym></synonymy> <illustrations>Illustrations: G.Brownlie, Pteridophyte Fl. Fiji 119, fig. 2 (1977); P.J.Brownsey & R.J.Chinnock, J. Adelaide Bot. Gard. 10: 5, fig. 2B, 20, fig. 9 (1987); P.G.Wilson in G.J.Harden, Fl. New South Wales 1: 46 (1990).</illustrations> <description>Rhizome apex minutely scurfy with pale brown hairs, or glabrous, not scaly. Fronds: stipe 30–50 cm tall, with pale, non-glandular hairs when young; lamina 50–100 cm or more long and wide, bipinnate at apex, becoming 4- or 5-pinnate towards base; rachis and its branches with stiff, slightly curved, pale, non-glandular hairs above and below; primary pinnae ±opposite, 15–40 cm long. Sori marginal, associated with ultimate segments, protected by ear-like, reflexed marginal lobes of lamina when young; lobes ±semicircular, c. 0.5 mm wide, membranous, glabrous.</description> <distribution>Lord Howe Is. Common. Also known from eastern New Guinea to New Caledonia, and from Fiji, Samoa and Rapa, as well as eastern Australia.</distribution> <habitat>Especially common in open areas.</habitat> 66 <specimens>L.H.Is.: Old Settlement Beach, J.C.Game 65/1/10 (BM, K, NSW); behind 'Mountain Inn', 1968, R.J.Chinnock (NSW); E slopes of Mt Lidgbird, P.S.Green 1693 (A, K, NSW).</specimens> </taxon> <taxon><rank>gen.</rank><parent>DENNSTAEDTIACEAE</parent><seq>3</seq><ti tle>3. PTERIDIUM</title> <name_info><name>Pteridium</name><author>Gled. ex Scop.</author><protologue><ref>Fl. Carniol. 169</ref><date>(1760)</date></protologue></name_info><etymology>a diminutive of the Greek pteris (a fern)</etymology> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><type>Type: Kuhn</type></synonym></synonymy> P. aquilinum (L.) <description>Rhizome apex hairy. Fronds: stipe ±distant, erect, smooth; lamina medium to large, 3- or 4-pinnate, stiff, revolute along margins, with veins free. Sori marginal, linear; outer indusia formed from the reflexed margin; the inner indusia thin; paraphyses absent.</description> <distribution>A cosmopolitan genus of c. 6 species, treated by some as a single variable species. One species native to Norfolk Is.</distribution> <bibliography>G.Bentham, Filices, Pteris, Fl. Austral. 7: 731–732 (1878); R.M.Tryon, A revision of the genus Pteridium, Rhodora 43: 1–31, 37–67 (1941), reprinted as Contr. Gray Herb. 134: 1–70 (1941); P.J.Brownsey, The taxonomy of Bracken (Pteridium: Dennstaedtiaceae) in Australia, Aust. Syst. Bot. 2: 113–128 (1989).</bibliography> <note>For information on a wide range of topics relating to the taxonomy and biology of Bracken in a worldwide sense, see Bot. J. Linn Soc. 73: 1–302 (1976).</note> </taxon> <taxon><seq>1</seq><parent>Pteridium</parent><name_info><name>esculentum</na me><author>(G.Forst.) Cockayne</author><protologue><ref>Rep. Bot. Survey Tongariro Park 34</ref><date>(1908)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><citation>Pteris esculenta G.Forst., Pl. Esc. 74 (1786); Pteris aquilina var. esculenta (G.Forst.) Hook.f., Fl. Nov.-Zel. 2: 25 (1854); Pteridium aquilinum var. esculentum (G.Forst.) Kuhn, Chaetopt. 27 (1882).</citation><type>T: 'Society Islands' [probably New Zealand], J.R.Forster & G.Forster; lecto: BM n.v., fide P.J.Brownsey, op. cit. 119. The epithet comes from the Latin esculentus (edible), in allusion to the use of the rhizome as a source of starch when a 'starvation' food.</type></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Pteris aquilina auct. non L.: W.B.Hemsley, Ann. Bot. (London) 10: 276 (1896)]</citation></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Pteridium aquilinum auct. non (L.) Kuhn: W.W.Watts, Proc. Linn. Soc. New South Wales 37: 396 (1913)]</citation></synonym></synonymy> <illustrations>Illustrations: D.L.Jones & S.C.Clemesha, Austral. Ferns & Fern Allies 2nd edn, 190, fig. 259a (1981); D.L.Jones, Encycl. Ferns 334 (1987); P.J.Brownsey & J.C.Smith-Dodsworth, New Zealand Ferns & Allied Pl. 105, fig. 127, t. 23F (1989).</illustrations> <description>Rhizome black, ±fleshy. Fronds 1–2 m or more tall, broadly triangular in outline, hard, coriaceous, often distant on rhizome; stipe erect; lamina 3 or 4 -pinnate; rachis grooved above; ultimate segments of pinnae linear, decurrent; margins reflexed. Sori continuous around segments, even the decurrent base, protected by continuous indusium formed from margin.</description> <common_name>Bracken.</common_name> <distribution>Norfolk Is. Known also from Malesia to Australia, New Zealand, the Kermadec Is., New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Fiji and Polynesia. Recorded from Lord Howe Is. 67 (F.J.H. von Mueller, Fragm. 9: 75, 1875), and accepted for the Island by W.R.B.Oliver (Trans. & Proc. New Zealand Inst. 49: 124, 1917), but no authentic specimen has been seen; the record is doubted by A.N.Rodd & J.Pickard in their census (Cunninghamia 1: 278, 1983).</distribution> <habitat>Common in open areas and neglected pastures.</habitat> <specimens>N.Is.: Mt Bates, P.Ralston 57 (NSW); s. loc., M.Burgess NI 12 (CBG); s. loc., A.Cunningham 36 & 61 (K).</specimens></taxon> <taxon><rank>doubtful</rank><parent>PTERIDIUM</parent><seq>1</seq><title> Do ubtful record </title> <note>Microlepia speluncae (L.) T.Moore was recorded from Norfolk Is. under the name Davallia flaccida R.Br. by F.J.H. von Mueller (Fragm. 5: 118, 1866) and under the name Dicksonia davallioides R.Br. by G.Bentham (Fl. Austral. 7: 713, 1878). J.H.Maiden included the record under the name Dennstaedtia davallioides (R.Br.) T.Moore in his 'Flora of Norfolk Island' (Proc. Linn. Soc. New South Wales 28: 737, 1904), attributing the record to G.Bentham, but R.M.Laing intentionally omitted it from his 'Revised List of Norfolk Island Plants' ( Trans. & Proc. New Zealand Inst. 47: 9, 1915). There are, however, two specimens in the Kew Herbarium (both Oct./Dec, 1849, C.J.Simmons s.n.) which bear the annotation 'Norfolk Island' and were at one time named Dicksonia polypodioides Sw., a synonym of Microlepia speluncae. This species has not been recorded from Norfolk Is. by any other collector and it is most likely that these two specimens, bearing so little data, were mislabelled as having come from the Island.</note></taxon> <taxon><rank>family</rank><title>LINDSAEACEAE</title> <contributors><contributor>P.S.Green</contributor><contributor_address>Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 3AB, England</contributor_address></contributors> <note>Although Lindsaea linearis Sw. was recorded from Norfolk Is. by G.Bentham (Fl. Austral. 7: 717, 1878) and, from its general distribution in Australia, New Zealand and New Caledonia, might be expected on the Island, there is no specimen to support the record in the Kew Herbarium where Bentham worked. It has never been recorded since and its occurrence on the Island must be doubted.</note></taxon> <taxon><rank>family</rank><title>ASPLENIACEAE</title> <contributors><contributor>P.S.Green</contributor><contributor_address>Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 3AB, England</contributor_address></contributors> <description>Terrestrial or epiphytic ferns. Rhizome short or long creeping, with clathrate scales. Stipes not articulated. Fronds simple or 1–2-pinnate, rarely to 4-pinnate, glabrous or with minute hairs. Sori elongate, with narrow, linear indusia attached to veins.</description> <distribution>A cosmopolitan family of 1 large genus (Asplenium) and c. 7 smaller ones, totalling c. 750 species; 1 genus native on both islands.</distribution> </taxon> 68 <taxon><rank>gen.</rank><parent>ASPLENIACEAE</parent><seq>1</seq><title>AS PLENIUM</title> <name_info><name>Asplenium</name><author>L.</author><protologue><ref>S p. Pl. 2: 1078</ref><date>(1753)</date></protologue></name_info><etymology>Gen. Pl. 5th edn, 485 (1754); the name of a plant in Dioscorides, from the Greek a, in this case said to be euphonic, and splen (the spleen), in reference to the plant's traditional herbal virtues in afflictions of the spleen</etymology> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><type>Type: A. marinum L.</type></synonym></synonymy> <description>Rhizome creeping or short and erect, covered with dark brown clathrate scales. Veins usually free. Sori along 1 side of veins.</description> <distribution>A worldwide genus of perhaps 700 species; 2 species on both islands, 3 species endemic on Lord Howe Is., and 2 species (1 native, 1 endemic) on Norfolk Is.</distribution> <note>Notable throughout its range for frequent inter-specific hybridisation.</note> <bibliography>G.Bentham, Filices, Asplenium, Fl. Austral. 7: 742–752 (1878); P.J.Brownsey, New Zealand J. Bot. 15: 39–86 (1977); P.S.Green, Kew Bull. 43: 649–651 (1988).</bibliography> 1 Fronds simple (irregularly divided and margin cristate in f. robinsonii) (N.Is., L.H.Is.) 1: 1. A. australasicum Fronds compound 2 Sterile and fertile fronds very different, with segments of fertile fronds linear, 1–2 mm broad, those of sterile fronds 10–20 mm broad, bipinnatisect or bipinnate 2: 7. A. dimorphum Sterile and fertile fronds similar 3 Divisions of fronds usually simply pinnate 4 Pinna margins shallowly toothed 5 Serrations of pinna margins acute; pinnae (2–) 5–15 cm long; rachis and costae below with scattered, small, dark brown scales; fronds pinnate (L.H.Is.) 2. A. milnei 5: Serrations of pinna margins blunt; pinnae 1–5 (–10) cm long; rachis and costae glabrous; some fronds usually bipinnate (N.Is.) 3. A. difforme 4: Pinna margins deeply cut or prominently doubly serrate 6 Margins of pinnae regularly and deeply divided, with apices of lobes c. 3–4 mm apart; pinnae elongate, oblong-lanceolate, ±equally broad up to middle before narrowing to an acute apex (L.H.Is.) 6: Margins of pinnae variously cut to an acute angle to costae, with apices of lobes c. 10 mm apart; pinnae lanceolate to very narrowly lanceolate, widest at base, gradually narrowing towards the very long-acute apex (N.Is., L.H.Is.) 3: 4. A. surrogatum 5. A. polyodon Divisions of fronds 2- or 3-pinnate 7 Rachis, costae, costules and lamina glabrous; pinnae and upper half of rachis narrowly winged; sori all marginal (L.H.Is.) 7: Rachis, costae, costules and lamina with occasional, usually very narrow, clathrate scales; pinnae and upper half of rachis not winged; sori on lamina or marginal (N.Is.) 6. A. pteridoides 3. A. difforme </taxon> 69 <taxon><seq>1</seq><parent>Asplenium</parent><name_info><name>australasicum< /name><author>(J.Sm.) Hook.</author><protologue><ref>Fil. Exot. t. 88</ref><date>(1859)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><citation>Neottopteris australasica J.Sm., Cult. Ferns 49 (1857).</citation><type>T: cultivated at Kew, origin Australia, J.Smith; holo: ?BM n.v. Named after Australia, to which it is native.</type></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Asplenium nidus auct. non L.: S.F.L.Endlicher, Prodr. Fl. Norfolk. 9 (1833); W.J.Hooker & J.G.Baker, Syn. Fil. 2nd edn, 190 (1874); R.M.Laing, Trans. & Proc. New Zealand Inst. 47: 11 (1915); W.R.B.Oliver, Trans. & Proc. New Zealand Inst. 49: 121 (1917)]</citation></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Thamnopteris nidus auct. non (L.) C.Presl: C.B.Presl, Abh. Bohm. Ges. Wiss. V 6 (Epimel. Bot. 68): 428 (1851), p.p.]</citation></synonym></synonymy> <illustrations>Illustrations: D.L.Jones, Encycl. Ferns 225 (1987); S.B.Andrews, Ferns Queensland 54, fig. 4.3B (1990); P.G.Wilson in G.J.Harden, Fl. New South Wales 1: 54, t. 5 (1990).</illustrations> <description>Epiphytic or lithophytic fern. Rhizome stout, erect, with a rosette of fronds at apex; scales dark brown. Fronds ascending; stipe 1–5 cm long, almost black; lamina simple, or crisped and/or irregularly cut, to c. 1.5 m long, 20 cm broad, broadest just above middle; midrib strongly and acutely keeled on lower surface; veins forked, connected to a submarginal vein. Sori linear, 3–6 cm long.</description> <common_name>Dock (N.Is.), Bird's Nest Fern.</common_name> <note>Two forms are recognised.</note> Fronds simple; not proliferating Fronds crisped and/or irregularly and deeply cut; rarely proliferating 1a. f. australasicum 1b. f. robinsonii <taxon><seq>1a</seq><parent>Asplenium</parent><name_info><name>australasicum </name><author>(J.Sm.) Hook. f. australasicum <description>Fronds simple, ascending; stipe 1–5 cm long; lamina to 1.5 m long, 20 cm broad, broadest just above middle; not proliferating.</description> <distribution>Norfolk Is., Lord Howe Is. Becoming uncommon on Norfolk Is. because of removal into gardens. This form is also known from Australia (Qld and northern N.S.W.), Vanuatu, New Caledonia, Fiji, Tonga and Tahiti.</distribution> <habitat>Growing in forested areas.</habitat> <specimens>N.Is.: high ground, W.G.Milne 10 (K); Now-Now Valley, R.M.Laing (CHR). L.H.Is.: Old Settlement area, A.C.Beauglehole 5388 (MEL); E side of North Hummock, A.C.Beauglehole 5589 (MEL); high ground, W.G.Milne 35 (K).</specimens> <note seq="1">The Lord Howe Is. plant has been said to have a narrower, more erect habit, with thicker, more obtuse, glaucous fronds than those elsewhere, but more comparative observations are required.</note> <note seq="2">Fronds from a small (?juvenile) plant with the lamina deeply cut into a few irregular lobes has been collected on Lord Howe Is. (A.C.Beauglehole 5411, MEL, NSW).</note> </taxon> 70 1b. Asplenium australasicum f. robinsonii (F.Muell.) in</author><protologue><ref>Kew Bull. 649</ref><date>(1988)</date></protologue></name_info> P.S.Green 43: <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><citation>Asplenium robinsonii F.Muell., J. Bot. 22: 289 (1884).</citation><type>T: Norfolk Island, I.Robinson; holo: ?MEL n.v.; iso: BM, K. Named after Isaac Robinson, resident on Norfolk Is., who collected extensively there in the latter half of th e 19th century for the Botanic Gardens, Sydney.</type></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>Asplenium squamulatum ß smithii Hook., Sp. Fil. 3: 83 (1860).</citation><type>T: cult. Hort. Kew.; holo: BM; iso: K.</type></synonym></synon ymy> <description>Generally somewhat smaller than the typical form but with the fronds crisped and/or occasionally, and irregularly, deeply cut or, rarely, proliferating.</description> <common_name>Crispy Bird's Nest Fern.</common_name> <distribution>Norfolk Is. Now only known in cultivation. It has been recorded from the eastern slopes of Mt Gower, Lord Howe Is. (J.H.Maiden, Proc. Linn. Soc. New South Wales 23: 146, 1898), but the specimen appears to have been lost.</distribution> <specimens>N.Is.: Mrs Chas Nobbs' bush house, R.M.Laing (CHR); in a pot in a private garden, R.D.Hoogland 11204 (CANB).</specimens> <note>When grown from spores, most sporelings develop into typical Asplenium australasicum.</note> </taxon> <taxon><seq>2</seq><parent>Asplenium</parent><name_info><name>milnei</name> <author>Carruth. in B.C.Seemann</author><protologue><ref>Fl. Vit. 353</ref><date>(1873)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><type>T: Lord Howe Island, 'Macrae' [Milne?]; holo: ?BM n.v. Named after William Grant Milne (?–1866), botanist on the Herald expedition in the south-western Pacific (1852–1856), who collected on Lord Howe Is. in 1853.</type></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Asplenium obtusatum var. lucidum auct. non (G.Forst.) Hook. & Baker: W.J.Hooker & J.G.Baker, Syn. Fil. 207 (1867), p.p.]</citation></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Asplenium lucidum auct. non G.Forst.: C.Moore in E.S.Hill, Votes & Proc. Legislative Assembly New South Wales 26 (1870)]</citation></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Asplenium marinum Fragm. 9: 78 (1875)]</citation></synonym> auct. non L.: F.J.H. von Mueller, <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Asplenium obtusatum auct. non G.Forst.: W.B.Hemsley, Ann. Bot. (London) 10: 264 (1896)]</citation></synonym></synonymy> <illustrations>Illustrations: C.J.Goudey, Austral. Fern J. 1: [3] t. 7 (1984); D.L.Jones, Encycl. Ferns 229 (1987).</illustrations> <description>Terrestrial fern. Rhizome stout; scales dense, lanceolate, clathrate. Fronds pinnate; stipe 15–24 cm long, dark brown, densely covered with small, clathrate, dark brown scales, especially towards base, often rubbed off; lamina 10–60 cm long, 5–25 cm broad, shining; pinnae 11–18 per side, narrowly lanceolate (to ovate), asymmetrically cuneate at base, (2–) 5–15 cm long, 1–2 cm broad, rarely once divided to the costae at base, ±evenly serrate, usually contracting to an acute apex from c. the middle; rachis and costae below with scattered, small, dark brown scales. Sori linear, 5–10 mm long, following a lateral nerve with a branch nerve between.</description> <image kind="fig"><image_text>Fig. C.</image_text><image_url>v*****_f*****.jpg</image_url></image> 105B– <distribution>Lord Howe Is. Endemic.</distribution> <habitat>Common in the lowland forest.</habitat> <specimens>L.H.Is.: lower slopes of Malabar, P.S.Green 1544A (K); above E end of North Beach, A.N.Rodd 1755 (K, NSW); near the Goathouse, R.D.Hoogland 8815 (CANB); s. loc., W.G.Milne 25 (K).</specimens> 71 <note>This is a species closely related to Asplenium oblongifolium Colenso (A. lucidum G.Forst. non Burm.f.) of New Zealand, and A. obtusatum G.Forst. of eastern Australia and New Zealand. A hybrid with A. polyodon G.Forst., recorded on the field notes as 'rare', has been collected once (J.Pickard 2711, Boat Harbour track, Dec. 1975, K, NSW). In addition, a hybrid with A. surrogatum P.S.Green has once been collected. This was by Chris Goudey from beside the track to Boat Harbour; I have seen a specimen cultivated from this plant.</note> </taxon> <taxon><seq>3</seq><parent>Asplenium</parent><name_info><name>difforme</nam e><author>R.Br.</author><protologue><ref>Prodr. 151</ref><date>(1810)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><citation>Asplenium obtusatum var. difforme (R.Br.) Hook., Sp. Fil. 3: 97 (1860).</citation><type>T: Botany Bay, Australia, J.Banks & D.Solander; holo: ?BM n.v. The epithet comes from the Latin dis- (apart) and forma (shape), in allusion to the distinct fronds in this fern.</type></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>Asplenium obtusatum var.: W.J.Hooker, Fil. Exot. t. 46 (1859).</citation></synonym></synonymy> <illustrations>Illustrations: D.L.Jones & S.C.Clemesha, Austral. Ferns & Fern Allies 2nd edn, 88, fig. 75a (1981); S.B.Andrews, Ferns Queensland 59, fig. 4.5A (1990), as A. obtusatum var. difforme; P.G.Wilson in G.J.Harden, Fl. New South Wales 1: 55 (1990).</illustrations> <description>Terrestrial fern. Rhizome short, tufted; scales narrow, to c. 1.5 cm long, longpointed, clathrate. Fronds pinnate to bipinnate, ±coriaceous, discolorous, glabrous; stipe 2 – 15 cm long, glabrous except for occasional, almost linear, clathrate scales; upper half of rachis not winged; lamina 3–30 (–40) cm long, (2–) 3–10 (–15) cm broad, with scattered, almost linear, clathrate scales; pinnae (3–) 5–10 (–15) per side, lanceolate to deltoidlanceolate in outline, bluntly serrate to pinnatifid or bipinnate, 1 –5 (–10) cm long, (0.7–) 1.5–2.5 cm broad; fertile pinnules 4–12 mm broad. Sori oblong-linear, 3–6 mm long, along lateral veins, almost marginal in bipinnate fronds.</description> <common_name>Coastal Fern, Coastal Asplenium.</common_name> <distribution>Norfolk Is. Also known from N.S.W. and southern Qld.</distribution> <habitat>Fairly common or occasional in coastal rock crevices and in forest at low altitudes.</habitat> <specimens>N.Is.: Duncombe Bay, M.Lazarides 8063 (CANB, K, NSW); along Rooty Hill Rd, R.D.Hoogland 11298 (CANB, K); point S of Emily Bay, P.S.Green 1878 (K); Cascade, A.Cunningham 28 (K); Philip Is., R.M.Laing (CHR).</specimens> <note>Hybrids with A. dimorphum Kunze occur on Norfolk Is.</note> </taxon> <taxon><seq>4</seq><parent>Asplenium</parent><name_info><name>surrogatum</n ame><author>P.S.Green</author><protologue><ref>Kew Bull. 43: 650</ref><date>(1988)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><type>T: Lord Howe Island, P.S.Green 2334; holo: K. So named in reference to the substitute or surrogate role for A. pteridoides which this species has played.</type></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>?Asplenium obtusatum var. incisum Benth., Fl. Austral. 7: 747 (1878); ?A. lucidum var. incisum (Benth.) Hook. ex Bonap., Notes Pteridologiques 5: 123 (1917).</citation><type>T: Lord Howe Island, J.P.Fullagar; holo: ?MEL n.v.</type></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Asplenium pteridoides auct. non Baker: J.G.Baker in W.J.Hooker, Icon. Pl. 17: t. 1649/1, 2, 4 (1886), et auct. mult.]</citation></synonym></synonymy> <illustrations>Illustrations: J.G.Baker in W.J.Hooker, Icon. Pl. 17: t. 1649, figs. 1, 2, 4 (1886); C.J.Goudey, Austral. Fern J. 1: [6] (1984).</illustrations> <description>Terrestrial or epiphytic fern. Caudex short, distinct; scales narrow, to 3 cm long, clathrate, hair-tipped. Fronds pinnate–bipinnatifid; stipe 15–30 cm long, with 72 occasional long, narrow scales and dense brown, appressed 'scurfy' scales 0.5–2 mm long, easily rubbed off; lamina 30–55 cm long, 15–30 cm broad, with very small, scattered, irregularly-shaped scales beneath; pinnae long-acute, the longest 6–16 cm long, 1–2 cm broad, deeply and regularly divided, apices of lobes 3–4 mm apart; segments narrow, 2–3 mm wide with 2 or 3 apical teeth. Sori oblong-linear to elongate oblong-lanceolate, 3–7 mm long, on upper edges of segments only.</description> <image kind="fig"><image_text>Fig. 105F.</image_text><image_url>v*****_f*****.jpg</image_url></image> <distribution>Lord Howe Is. Endemic.</distribution> <habitat>Occurs in forest at high altitudes, rare at lower elevations.</habitat> <specimens>L.H.Is.: Mt Gower, J.P.Fullagar 16 (MEL); loc. id., P.S.Green 1606 (A, K); loc. id., P.S.Green 2334 (K); Erskine Valley, M.Percival 11 (BRI); side of Mt Lidgbird, W.G.Milne 24 (MEL); track to North Bay, A.C.Beauglehole 5384 (MEL).</specimens> <note>Shortly after A. pteridoides was described by J.G.Baker he published a drawing (W.J.Hooker, Icon. Pl. 17: t. 1649, 1886) in which, without realising, he included this species as well – and as the most prominent part of the plate. Many subsequent authors have consequently misidentified this, the commoner of the two species, as Baker's A. pteridoides. A hybrid with A. milnei has been recorded.</note> </taxon> <taxon><seq>5</seq><parent>Asplenium</parent><name_info><name>polyodon</na me><author>G.Forst.</author><protologue><ref>Fl. Ins. Austr. 80</ref><date>(1786)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><type>T: not traced. The epithet is derived from the Greek poly (many) and odontos (tooth), in allusion to the serrate margins to the pinnae.</type></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>Asplenium falcatum Lam., Encycl. 2: (1786).</citation><type>T: Mauritius, P.Commerson; holo: ?P n.v.</type></synonym> 306 <synonym kind="tax"><citation>Asplenium adiantoides (L.) C.Chr., Ind. Fil. 99 (1906), nom. illeg.</citation></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Asplenium caudatum auct. non G.Forst.: W.J.Hooker, Sp. Fil. 3: 152 (1860), p.p.]</citation></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Asplenium contiguum auct. B.C.Seemann, Fl. Vit. 353 (1873)]</citation></synonym> non Kaulf.: W.Carruthers in <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Asplenium falcatum var. caudatum auct. non (G.Forst.) Maiden: J.H.Maiden, Proc. Linn. Soc. New South Wales 28: 734 (1904), p.p.]</citation></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Asplenium adiantoides var. caudatum auct. non (G.Forst.) Domin: K.Domin, Biblioth. Bot. 85: 97 (1914), p.p.]</citation></synonym></synonymy> <illustrations>Illustrations: D.L.Jones, Encycl. Ferns 232 (1987); P.J.Brownsey & J.C.SmithDodsworth, New Zealand Ferns & Allied Pl. 114, fig. 141, t. 26B (1989); S.B.Andrews, Ferns Queensland 61, fig. 4.6F, 63, fig. 4.7B (1990).</illustrations> <description>Terrestrial or epiphytic fern. Rhizome stout, shortly creeping; scales dense, narrow, clathrate. Fronds pinnate; stipe 10–20 (–30) cm long; rachis with narrow, brown scales when young, usually shed early; lamina 25–90 cm long, 10–20 cm broad, discolourous; pinnae 15–25 per side, lanceolate to very narrowly lanceolate, widest towards base, 5–12 cm long, 0.5–2 cm broad, doubly serrate with margins variously cut, at an acute angle to costae, apices of lobes c. 10 mm apart, long-acute. Sori linear, often almost parallel to or at a very acute angle to midrib, to 1.5 cm long; indusia attached on alternate sides of adjacent sori.</description> <common_name>Sicklefern, Sickle Asplenium.</common_name> <distribution>Norfolk Is., Lord Howe Is. Quite common in the National Park on Norfolk Is., only occasional on Lord Howe Is. Also known from Madagascar, through tropical Asia to Malesia, Australia, New Zealand and Polynesia.</distribution> 73 <specimens>N.Is.: King Fern Gully, R.D.Hoogland 11194 (CANB, K); s. loc., 1902, J.H.Maiden & J.L.Boorman (K, NSW); s. loc., A.Cunningham 52 (K). L.H.Is.: E side of North Hummock, A.C.Beauglehole 5386 (CANB, MEL); E edge of Intermediate Hill, J.C.Game 69/292 (K); atop Mt Gower, A.C.Beauglehole 5962 (CANB).</specimens> <note>P.J.Brownsey, in his revision of the New Zealand species (New Zealand J. Bot. 15: 47, 1977), commented that the narrow-leaved variant from the Kermadec Is. closely resembles the plants from Lord Howe Is. and Norfolk Is. A hybrid with the Lord Howe Is. endemic, A. milnei, has been recorded.</note> </taxon> <taxon><seq>6</seq><parent>Asplenium</parent><name_info><name>pteridoides</n ame><author>Baker</author><protologue seq="1"><ref>J. Bot. 11: 17</ref><date>(1873)</date></protologue><protologue seq ="2"><ref> Hooker's Icon. Pl. 17: t.1649/3</ref><date>(1886)</date><protologue_note>p.p.</protologue_note></ protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><type>T: Lord Howe Island, 1871, Eclipse Expedition, [ C.Moore 19]; holo: K. Named from a resemblance to ferns of the genus Pteris.</type></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>Asplenium bulbiferum var. howeanum Watts, Proc. Linn. Soc. New South Wales 37: 399 (1913); A. howeanum (Watts) W.R.B.Oliv., Trans. & Proc. New Zealand Inst. 49: 122 (1917).</citation><type>T: Dinner Run, Lord Howe Island, W.W.Watts; lecto: NSW, fide P.S.Green, Kew Bull. 43: 650 (1988).</type></synonym></synonymy> <illustrations>Illustration: (1886).</illustrations> J.G.Baker in W.J.Hooker, Icon. Pl. 17: t. 1649, fig. 3 <description>Terrestrial fern. Rhizome decumbent(?); scales very narrowly triangular, 4–6 mm long. Fronds tripinnatifid; stipe 9–10 cm long, naked except for the base with scales like those on rhizome; rachis narrowly winged in upper half; lamina 12 –23 cm long, 7–15 cm broad, glabrous; pinnae 6–9 per side, lanceolate-deltoid in outline, the largest 5–9 cm long, 1.5–4 cm broad, divided to the narrowly winged costae; pinnules cuneate-rhomboid, 1–2.5 cm long, lower half entire. Sori linear, 2–3 mm long, confined to outermost edges of pinnules.</description> <image kind="fig"><image_text>Fig. E.</image_text><image_url>v*****_f*****.jpg</image_url></image> 105D– <distribution>Lord Howe Is. Endemic. This has been little collected and, confined to the southern mountainous areas, is perhaps rare or local in its occurrence.</distribution> <specimens>L.H.Is.: Mt Gower, C.Moore 19 (K); loc. id., 1920, J.L.Boorman (K, NSW); loc. id., J.P.Fullagar (K); SE side of Mt Lidgbird, A.C.Beauglehole 5387 (MEL); s. loc., J.P.Fullagar (MEL).</specimens> <note>Generally confused with surrogatum.</note> </taxon> the more common fern now called A. <taxon><seq>7</seq><parent>Asplenium</parent><name_info><name>dimorphum</n ame><author>Kunze</author><protologue><ref>Linnaea 23: 233</ref><date>(1850)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><citation>Based on Asplenium diversifolium A.Cunn. ex Endl., Prodr. Fl. Norfolk. 10 (1833), nom. illeg. non Blume (1828).</citation><type>T: Norfolk Island, F.L.Bauer & loc. id., A.Cunningham; syn: W; isosyn: K. So named from the Greek dis (twice) and morphe (shape), in reference to the different types of frond in this fern.</type></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>Darea heterophylla Sm. in A.Rees, Cycl. 11: No. 2 (1808), non Asplenium heterophyllum C.Presl (1825).</citation><type>T: 'New South Wales' [Norfolk Island], comm. R.Molesworth; holo: LINN; IDC microfiche 5074.1629/6.</type></synonym></synonymy> <illustrations>Illustrations: E.J.Lowe, Ferns 5: 53, 54, t. 17 (1858); D.L.Jones, Encycl. Ferns 10, 227 (1987); S.B.Andrews, Ferns Queensland 48, fig. 4.1A (1990).</illustrations> 74 <description>Terrestrial fern. Rhizome short; scales c. 1 cm long, clathrate. Fronds bipinnate and tripinnate; stipe 30–40 cm long, covered with short, appressed, and long, narrow, scattered, clathrate scales, easily rubbed off; upper half of rachis not winged; la mina 30–60 cm long, 25–40 cm broad, with small, scattered, clathrate scales below or glabrescent; pinnae 8–10 per side, lanceolate-deltoid in outline, the longest 12–20 cm long, 3–8 cm broad, markedly dimorphic; sterile pinnules deltoid, 10–20 mm broad, bipinnatisect or sometimes bipinnate, serrate, acute, with base somewhat asymmetrical; fertile pinnules linear, 3 –15 mm long, 1–2 mm broad, tripinnate; sterile and fertile fronds separate or sometimes both types of pinnae on same frond, the sterile in the lower part. Sori linear, 4–12 mm long, marginal.</description> <common_name>Two-Leaf or Two-Frond Fern, Lace Fern.</common_name> <image kind="fig"><image_text>Fig. 105A.</image_text><image_url>v*****_f*****.jpg</image_url></image> <distribution>Norfolk Is. Endemic.</distribution> <habitat>Quite common in the forest of the National Park.</habitat> <specimens>N.Is.: between Palm Glen and Red Rd, M.Lazarides 8091 (CANB, K); Ball Bay, P.S.Green 2402 (K); s. loc., A.Cunningham 29(51) (K); s. loc., I.Robinson 12 (MEL).</specimens> <note>Hybrids between this species and A. difforme can occur (Norfolk Is., s. loc., R.M.Laing, CHR). In these the 'fertile', linear pinnules are generally shorter and broader than in A. dimorphum (3–7 × 2–3 mm long versus 5–15 × 1–2 mm), and the sterile pinnules are somewhat intermediate between the two species in shape and texture.</note></taxon> <taxon><rank>doubtful</rank><parent> Asplenium</parent><seq>1</seq><title> Doub tful record </title> <note>Asplenium oblongifolium Colenso was recorded from Norfolk Is. as A. lucidum G.Forst. (non Burm.f.) by W.J.Hooker (Sp. Fil. 3: 98, 1860), attributing a collection to Dr. Vaughan Thomson, without any further locality, date etc. However, the only specimen at Kew marked 'Norfolk Island' and bearing Thomson's name in Hooker's hand (and stamped 'Herb. Hook. 1867') is a single frond mounted on the same sheet as Colenso 60, labelled '60 Asplenium oblongifolium n.sp. W.C.' in Colenso's hand; this latter is from New Zealand, and possibly an isotype of Colenso's species. With no further collections of this species having been made from Norfolk Is., the frond attributed to Thomson must be assumed to have been mislabelled.</note></taxon> <taxon><rank>family</rank><title>ATHYRIACEAE</title> <contributors><contributor>P.S.Green</contributor><contributor_address>Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 3AB, England</contributor_address></contributors> <description>Terrestrial ferns. Rhizomes with pale or dark, non-clathrate, entire or toothed scales. Fronds simple to 4-pinnate; rachis and costae grooved above; veins free or reticulate, the areoles without free included veinlets. Sori elliptic to elongate-linear, along one or both sides of a vein; indusia narrow (elsewhere absent), following the sori, sometimes double, back to back (especially on basal pinnae).</description> <distribution>A worldwide family of c. 8 genera and c. 650 species; 2 genera native on Norfolk Is., 1 of which is also on Lord Howe Is.</distribution> 75 <note>Generic delimitation and classification in this family is a matter of debate.</note> <bibliography>G.Bentham, Filices, Asplenium, Section Diplasium, Fl. Austral. 7: 750–752 (1878).</bibliography> KEY TO GENERA Grooves on rachis above, confluent with and open at junction with grooves of costae; fronds ±tufted, 2- or 3-pinnate Grooves on rachis above, not confluent at junction with costae; fronds borne along a creeping rhizome, pinnate, deeply pinnatisect 1. DIPLAZIUM 2. LUNATHYRIUM </taxon> <taxon><rank>gen.</rank><parent>ATHYRIACEAE</parent><seq>1</seq><title>1. DIPLAZIUM</title> <name_info><name>Diplazium</name><author>Sw.</author><protologue><ref>J. Bot. (Schrader) 1800(2): 61</ref><date>(1801)</date></protologue></name_info><etymology>from the Greek diplasios (double), in reference to the frequently double sori in these ferns</etymology> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><type>Type: Sw.</type></synonym></synonymy> D. plantagineum (L.) <description>Terrestrial ferns. Rhizome erect, usually short. Stipes sometimes rough at base. Fronds (simple to) 2–4-pinnate, glabrous; rachis and costae with grooves confluent and open at their junctions, glabrous; veins free or reticulate. Sori elliptic or linear, sometimes double along both sides of vein.</description> <distribution>A large genus of c. 400 species, mainly tropical, and distributed widely; 2 species native to Norfolk Is., 1 species endemic on Lord Howe Is.</distribution> 1 Pinnules narrowed at base; larger secondary pinnules 2–5 cm long (N.Is.) 1: Pinnules not narrowed at base; larger secondary pinnules 3–10 cm long 2 Sori lightish brown, 1–2 mm long (N.Is.) 2: Sori very dark brown, 2–4 mm long (L.H.Is.) </taxon> 76 1. D. assimile 2. D. australe 3. D. melanochlamys <taxon><seq>1</seq><parent>Diplazium</parent><name_info><name>assimile</name ><author>(Endl.) Bedd.</author><protologue><ref>Ferns Brit. India t. 294</ref><date>(1868)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><citation>Asplenium assimile Endl., Prodr. Fl. Norfolk. 10 (1833); Athyrium assimile (Endl.) C.Presl, Tent. Pterid. 98 (1836); Asplenium umbrosum var. assimile (Endl.) Hook. & Baker, Syn. Fil. 2nd edn, 489 (1874); Diplazium umbrosum var. assimile (Endl.) Bedd., Handb. Ferns Brit. India 190 (1883).</citation><type>T: Norfolk Island, 1804–1805, F.L.Bauer; holo: W. The epithet is from the Latin assimilis (dissimilar), but the meaning is obscure.</type></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Athyrium umbrosum auct. non (Aiton) C.Presl: J.H.Maiden, Proc. Linn. Soc. New South Wales 28: 735 (1904); R.M.Laing, Trans. & Proc. New Zealand Inst. 47: 11 (1915)]</citation></synonym></synonymy> <illustrations>Illustrations: D.L.Jones & S.C.Clemesha, Austral. Ferns & Fern Allies 2nd edn, 127, fig. 144 (1981); S.B.Andrews, Ferns Queensland 77, fig. 5.2A (1990); P.G.Wilson in G.J.Harden, Fl. New South Wales 1: 58 (1990).</illustrations> <description>Rhizome ±erect. Fronds tripinnate; stipe 15–50 cm tall, light brown shading to black at base, with brown scales 3–5 mm long at base; lamina broadly triangular in outline, 30–60 cm long, 25–40 cm broad; larger secondary pinnae 2–5 cm long, with 4–8 separate pinnules; pinnules 5–10 mm long, narrowed at base, decurrent onto the very narrowly winged costule, bluntly toothed at margin, blunt at apex. Sori elongate, 1–3 mm long, (2–) 3 or 4 per pinnule side, rarely the basal sori doubled; indusia light brown.</description> <common_name>Upside-Down Fern.</common_name> <image kind="fig"><image_text>Fig. L.</image_text><image_url>v*****_f*****.jpg</image_url></image> 105J– <distribution>Norfolk Is. Also known from N.S.W. and Qld.</distribution> <habitat>Frequent in shaded valleys in the National Park, often near streams.</habitat> <specimens>N.Is.: between Palm Glen and Red Rd, M.Lazarides 8093 (K, NSW); valley below NowNow Ridge, P.Ralston 20 (NSW); valley S of Mt Bates, P.S.Green 1895 (K).</specimens></taxon> <taxon><seq>2</seq><parent>Diplazium</parent><name_info><name>australe</name ><author>(R.Br.) N.A.Wakef.</author><protologue><ref>Victorian Naturalist 58: 142</ref><date>(1942)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><citation>Allantodia australis R.Br., Prodr. 149 (1810); Asplenium australe (R.Br.) Brack., U.S. Expl. Exped., Filic. 16: 173 (1854), non (L.) Sw.</citation><type>T: Tasmania, R.Brown; holo: BM. The epithet refers to this plant's southern or austral origin.</type></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[?Athyrium brevisorum auct. non (Wall.) T.Moore: J.H.Maiden, Proc. Linn. Soc. New South Wales 28: 735 (1904)]</citation></synonym></synonymy> <illustrations>Illustrations: B.D.Duncan & G.Isaac, Ferns & Allied Pl. Victoria, Tasmania & S. Australia 180, 181, figs. 18.3, 18.4 (1986); S.B.Andrews, Ferns Queensland 77, fig. 5.2 (1990); P.G.Wilson in G.J.Harden, Fl. New South Wales 1: 58 (1990).</illustrations> <description>Rhizome ±erect. Fronds tripinnate; stipe 40–70 cm tall, light brown shading to black at base, with a few narrow, dark brown scales c. 5 cm long at base and occasionally a little above; lamina broadly triangular in outline, 40–75 cm long, 30–70 cm broad; larger secondary pinnae 3–10 cm long, with 7–12 pinnules; tripinnate pinnules 5–20 mm long, not narrowed at base, decurrent onto a winged costule, bluntly toothed at margin, blunt at apex. Sori elongate, 1–2 mm long, 3–5 per pinnule side, rarely the basal sori double; indusia lightish brown.</description> <common_name>Austral Lady Fern, Large Upside-Down Fern.</common_name> <distribution>Norfolk Is. Uncommon in the National Park. Also known from the North Is. of New Zealand, and eastern Australia (Qld to Tas.).</distribution> 77 <habitat>Found in similar habitats to D. assimile.</habitat> <specimens>N.Is.: below Palm Glen and Red Rd, M.Lazarides 8095 (K, NSW); valley S of Mt Bates, P.S.Green 1894 (K); s. loc., R.M.Laing (CHR).</specimens></taxon> <taxon><seq>3</seq><parent>Diplazium</parent><name_info><name>melanochlamys </name><author>(Hook.) T.Moore</author><protologue><ref>Index Fil. 332</ref><date>(1861)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><citation>Asplenium melanochlamys Hook., Sp. Fil. 3: 259 (1860).</citation><type>T: Lord Howe Island, J.MacGillivray 702 & loc. id., W.G.Milne 336; syn: K. The epithet comes from the Greek melanos (black, dark) and chlamys (a cloak, mantle), in allusion to the almost black indusia in this fern.</type></synonym></synonymy> <description>Rhizome short, fern ±tufted. Fronds 2- or 3-pinnate; stipe c. 40 cm tall, with narrow, very dark brown scales; scales 1–2 cm long at base; lamina broadly triangular in outline, 60–100 cm long, 40–60 cm broad; larger secondary pinnae 5–8 cm long, with 8–10 serrate pinnules; tripinnate pinnules 5–10 mm long, not narrowed at base, decurrent onto a winged costule, bluntly toothed at margin, blunt to truncate at apex. Sori elongate, 2 –4 mm long, 2–5 per pinnule side, the basal sori often double; indusia very dark brown, almost black, shining.</description> <image kind="fig"><image_text>Fig. I.</image_text><image_url>v*****_f*****.jpg</image_url></image> <distribution>Lord Howe Island.</distribution> Is. Endemic. Found in the southern 105G– half of the <habitat>An occasional or locally abundant fern in the forest.</habitat> <specimens>L.H.Is.: Smoking Tree Ridge, R.D.Hoogland 8735 (CANB, NSW); E slopes of Mt Lidgbird, P.S.Green 1686 (A, K); summit of Mt Gower, J.Pickard 2615 (NSW).</specimens> </taxon> <taxon><rank>gen.</rank><parent>ATHYRIACEAE</parent><seq>2</seq><title>2. LUNATHYRIUM</title> <name_info><name>Lunathyrium</name><author>Koidz.</author><protologue><re f>Acta Phytotax. Geobot. 1: 30</ref><date>(1932)</date></protologue></name_info><etymology>from the supposedly somewhat lunate, or moonshaped, indusia in these ferns, and Athyrium, a closely related genus</etymology> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><type>Type: Koidz.</type></synonym></synonymy> L. pycnosorum (H.Christ) <description>Terrestrial fern. Rhizome erect or creeping. Fronds pinnate to tripinnate; stipe approximately equal to lamina; rachis and costae grooves not confluent at their junctions; hairs on rachis, costae and lamina multiseptate; veins free. Sori circular or elongate, with or without indusia.</description> <distribution>A genus of 40 or more species, especially found in tropical and subtropical Asia; 1 native species on Norfolk Is.</distribution> <note>This genus is frequently treated as a section of Deparia, and in that genus the following plant would be called D. petersenii subsp. congrua (Brack.) M.Kato (see M.Kato, J. Fac. Sci. Univ. Tokyo Sect. III 13: 426, 1984).</note> </taxon> 78 <taxon><seq>1</seq><parent>Lunathyrium</parent><name_info><name>japonicum</ name><author>(Thunb.) Sa.Kurata</author><protologue><ref>J. Geobot. 9: 99</ref><date>(1961)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><citation>Asplenium japonicum Thunb., Syst. Veg. 14th edn, 934 (1784); Diplazium japonicum (Thunb.) Bedd., Ferns Brit. India Suppl. 12 (1876); Athyrium japonicum (Thunb.) Copel., Philipp. J. Sci. 3: 290 (1908).</citation><type>T: Japan, C.P.Thunberg; holo: ?S n.v. The epithet is the Latin for Japan, whence it was first described.</type></synonym></synonymy> <illustrations>Illustrations: B.D.Duncan & G.Isaac, Ferns & Allied Pl. Victoria, Tasmania & S. Australia 182, fig. 18.5 (1986); D.L.Jones, Encycl. Ferns 19 (1987); S.B.Andrews, Ferns Queensland 73, fig. 5.1A (1990).</illustrations> <description>Rhizome creeping; scales thin, brown. Fronds pinnate, deeply pinnatisect; stipe 15–25 cm tall, scaly at base, scales becoming scattered and pale above with scattered multiseptate hairs; lamina 20–35 cm long; the lowermost pinnae 10–25 cm long, broadest in middle; pinnule lobes 10–25 mm long, bluntly toothed, obtuse-rounded at apex; hairs below on rachis, costae and veins multiseptate. Sori linear-oblong, 1–2 mm long, 3–5 per side of pinnule lobes, occasionally doubled; indusia pale brown, thin.</description> <distribution>Norfolk Is. Rare. Also found from Japan through SE Asia to eastern Australia, North Is. of New Zealand, and Polynesia.</distribution> <habitat>Occurs in heavily shaded valleys in the National Park.</habitat> <specimens>N.Is.: Now-Now Valley, R.D.Hoogland 11256 (NSW); Cascade, P.Ralston 65 (NSW); s. loc., P.H.Metcalfe (CHR, K).</specimens></taxon> <taxon><rank>family</rank><title>DRYOPTERIDACEAE</title> <description>Terrestrial or lithophytic ferns. Rhizome erect or creeping; scales usually non clathrate. Fronds usually 2–4-pinnate, rarely simple; stipe with scales or multicellular hairs; rachis and costae scaly or with multicellular hairs; pinnules asymmetrical; veins free or netted. Sori round, on veins or ends of veins; indusia peltate or reniform, rarely absent.</description> <distribution>A family of perhaps 45 genera and c. 150 species, whose classification is still unsettled. It is distributed throughout the world; 2 native genera on Norfolk Is., 3 genera (1 introduced) on Lord Howe Is.</distribution> KEY TO GENERA 1 Fronds once pinnate 1: 1. PHANEROPHLEBIA Fronds 2- or 3-pinnate 2 Margins of pinnules sharply aristate-apiculate; scales at base of stipe narrowly lanceolate, 4–10 mm long, 0.2–0.8 mm broad; groove of rachis and costae above glabrous, or with very occasional narrow scales; indusia attached laterally 2: 2. ARACHNIODES Margins of pinnules not sharply aristate-apiculate 3 Scales at base of stipe lanceolate, 10–20 mm long, 1.5–3.5 mm broad; groove of rachis and costae above glabrous, or with long hairs and occasional narrow scales; indusia attached centrally 3: Scales at base of stipe linear to narrowly elongate-triangular, 2–20 mm long, 0.5–2 mm broad; groove of rachis and costae above with dense, short hairs; indusia attached laterally 3. POLYSTICHUM 4. LASTREOPSIS 79 </taxon> <taxon><rank>gen.</rank><parent>DRYOPTERIDACEAE</parent><seq>1</seq><titl e>1. PHANEROPHLEBIA</title> <name_info><name>Phanerophlebia</name><author>C.Presl</author><protologue ><ref>Tent. Pterid. 84</ref><date>(1836)</date></protologue></name_info><etymology>from the Greek phaneros (evident) and phlebia (a vein), in allusion to the obvious vein in the pinnae of the first species included in this genus</etymology> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><type>Type: C.Presl</type></synonym></synonymy> P. nobilis (Schltdl. & Cham.) <description>Terrestrial fern. Rhizome short, ±erect, with dense, broad scales. Fronds pinnate, often pinnatifid at apex; pinnae often falcate, usually with sharp teeth at margin, usually acuminate; veins usually anastomosing, sometimes free. Sori circular, scattered on underside of pinnae on veins, sometimes terminal on them; indusia peltate, persistent or caducous.</description> <distribution>A genus of c. 20 species, distributed from Hawai'i, Japan and tropical Asia to southern Africa and Central and South America; 1 species naturalised on Lord Howe Is.</distribution> </taxon> <taxon><seq>1</seq><name_symbol>*</name_symbol><parent>Phanerophlebia</pare nt><name_info><name>falcata</name><author>(L.f.) Copel.</author><protologue><ref>Gen. Fil. 111</ref><date>(1947)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><citation>Polypodium falcatum L.f., Suppl. Pl. 446 (1781); Cyrtomium falcatum (L.f.) C.Presl, Tent. Pterid. 86 (1836).</citation><type>T: Japan, C.P.Thunberg; holo: ?UPS n.v. The epithet is Latin for sickle-shaped, in allusion to the shape of the pinnae.</type></synonym></synonymy> <illustrations>Illustrations: D.L.Jones, Encycl. Ferns: 18, 37, 287 (1987); S.B.Andrews, Ferns Queensland 23, fig. 3.3A (1990); P.G.Wilson in G.J.Harden, Fl. New South Wales 1: 59 (1990); all as Cyrtomium falcatum.</illustrations> <description>Tufted fern. Fronds pinnate; stipe 10–30 cm long, with broad, brown scales, especially at base; lamina 15–30 cm long, 8–20 cm broad; pinnae ovate-falcate, asymmetrical, often with a short, acute lobe at base, especially on side nearest rachis, rounded at base, finely sharp-toothed at margin, long-acuminate. Sori scattered, circular; indusia peltate.</description> <distribution>Lord Howe Is. A native of Japan, this species is often cultivated as a house plant in temperate regions or in gardens in warmer climates. It has become naturalised after having been discarded from cultivation.</distribution> <specimens>L.H.Is.: Anderson Rd, A.N.Rodd 3605 (NSW).</specimens> </taxon> 80 <taxon><rank>gen.</rank><parent>DRYOPTERIDACEAE</parent><seq>2</seq><titl e>2. ARACHNIODES</title> <name_info><name>Arachniodes</name><author>Blume</author><protologue><re f>Enum. Pl. Jav. 241</ref><date>(1828)</date></protologue></name_info><etymology>from the Greek arachniodes (like a spider's web), in allusion to the indumentum of the fern</etymology> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><type>Type: Blume</type></synonym></synonymy> A. aspidioides <description>Terrestrial ferns. Rhizome erect or creeping, clothed with scales at base. Fronds 2–4-pinnate, generally 3-pinnate; glabrous or with very occasional narrow scales; pinnules usually unequally sided at base, with or without stiff marginal hairs; veins free, not reaching margin. Sori round, dorsal or submarginal on veins; indusia orbicular -reniform, with a deep sinus, attached laterally, rarely lacking.</description> <distribution>A genus of c. 50 species, widespread in the tropics and subtropics, but especially found in the Sino-Himalayan region; 1 species native to the Islands.</distribution> <bibliography>M.D.Tindale, Contr. New South Wales Natl. Herb. 3: 89 –90 (1961); M.D.Tindale, Contr. New South Wales Natl. Herb. Fl. Ser. 211: 55–59 (1961).</bibliography> </taxon> <taxon><seq>1</seq><parent>Arachniodes</parent><name_info><name>aristata</nam e><author>(G.Forst.) Tindale</author><protologue><ref>Contr. New South Wales Natl. Herb. 3: 89</ref><date>(1961)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><citation>Polypodium aristatum G.Forst., Fl. Ins. Austr. 82 (1786); Aspidium aristatum (G.Forst.) Sw., J. Bot. (Schrader) 1800(2): 37 (1801); Polystichum aristatum (G.Forst.) C.Presl, Tent. Pterid. 83 (1836).</citation><type>T: Tahiti, J.R. & G.Forster; syn: BM. The epithet is Latin for awn, in reference to the aristate -apiculate tips to the pinnules.</type></synonym></synonymy> <illustrations>Illustrations: H.T.Clifford & J.Constantine, Ferns, Fern Allies & Conifers Australia 79, figs. 3A, B (1980); D.L.Jones & S.C.Clemesha, Austral. Ferns & Fern Allies 2nd edn, 79, fig. 60 (1981); S.B.Andrews, Ferns Queensland 19, fig. 3.1A (1990).</illustrations> <description>Rhizome long-creeping, densely clothed with narrowly lanceolate, finely pointed scales 4–10 mm long, 0.2–0.8 mm broad. Fronds drooping, 3- or 4-pinnatifid; lamina deltoid; stipes remote, 20–60 cm long, scaly at base with linear scales above; lamina 20–40 cm long, 15–25 cm broad; basal pinnules of lowermost pinnae larger than others; pinnule apex and segments sharply aristate-apiculate. Sori in a single row on each side of costules; indusia orbicular-reniform.</description> <common_name>Prickly Shieldfern (N.Is.).</common_name> <image kind="fig"><image_text>Fig. E.</image_text><image_url>v*****_f*****.jpg</image_url></image> 106D– <distribution>Norfolk Is., Lord Howe Is. On Lord Howe Is. known from only one collection. Distributed from SE Asia to Australia (Qld & N.S.W.), the Kermadec Islands and Polynesia.</distribution> <habitat>Very common in drier parts of forests on Norfolk Is.</habitat> <specimens>N.Is.: beside Red Rd, P.S.Green 1373 (A, K); between Palm Glen and Red Rd, R.J.Chinnock 5961 (AD, K); E slopes of Mt Bates, R.D.Hoogland 11252 (CANB, K, NSW); Rooty Hill Rd, R.D.Hoogland 11297 (CANB, NSW). L.H.Is.: E side of Intermediate Hill, J.C.Game 69/297 (K).</specimens> <note>On Norfolk Is. it is sometimes infected with the gall -forming fungus, Taphrina cornu-cervi Gissenhagen.</note> </taxon> 81 <taxon><rank>gen.</rank><parent>DRYOPTERIDACEAE</parent><seq>3</seq><titl e>3. POLYSTICHUM</title> <name_info><name>Polystichum</name><author>Roth</author><protologue><ref> Tent. Fl. Germ. 1: 31, 69</ref><date>(1799)</date></protologue></name_info><etymology>from the Greek poly (many) and stichos (a row), alluding to the many rows of sori in these ferns</etymology> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><type>Type: Roth</type></synonym></synonymy> P. lonchitis (L.) <description>Terrestrial or lithophytic ferns. Rhizome short, densely scaly. Stipes erect or arching, usually densely scaly, especially at base, not articulated to rhizome. Fronds 1–3pinnate, rarely simple; pinnules unequal at base, ±auriculate, serrate to spinulose; veins free; groove of rachis and costae above glabrous or with long hairs and occasional narrow scales. Sori round, dorsal or subterminal on veins; indusia centrally peltate, sometimes caducous, rarely lacking.</description> <distribution>A large, cosmopolitan genus of 135 or more species; in the tropics it is usually confined to the high mountains. Two species endemic to Lord Howe Is.</distribution> <bibliography>G.Bentham, Filices, Aspidium, Fl. Austral. 7: 757–758 (1878).</bibliography> Fronds with dense, light brown scales, especially towards base of stipe, without arachnoid hairs, but rachis and costae minutely glandular; lamina outline lanceolate, 10–25 cm long, 7–14 cm broad; pinnules ovate, obtuse; indusia dome-shaped Fronds with dense, brown scales on rachis and costae mixed with easily rubbed-off arachnoid hairs; lamina outline deltoid, (15–) 25–40 cm broad; pinnules lanceolate, acute or deltoid; indusia ±funnel-shaped </taxon> 1. P. moorei 2. P. whiteleggei <taxon><seq>1</seq><parent>Polystichum</parent><name_info><name>moorei</nam e><author>H.Christ</author><protologue><ref>Arkiv Bot. 4</ref><date>(12):</date></protologue></name_info>3 (1903) <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><type>T: Lord Howe Island, 1892, J.H.Maiden and 'E.Kirk' [E.King] 42; syn: P. Named after Charles Moore (1820–1905), Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney (1848–1896), who collected on Lord Howe Is. in 1869.</type></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>Aspidium aculeatum var. moorei H.Christ ex Maiden, Proc. Linn. Soc. New South Wales 23: 146 (1898); Polystichum moorei (H.Christ ex Maiden) W.R.B.Oliv., Trans. & Proc. New Zealand Inst. 47: 120 (1917), nom. illeg.</citation><type>T: eastern side of Mt Lidgbird, Lord Howe Is., E.King; holo: NSW.</type></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>Polystichum kingii Watts, Proc. Linn. Soc. New South Wales 37: 401 (1913).</citation><type>T: eastern side of Mt Lidgbird, Lord Howe Island, 1895, E.King; syn: NSW; in a cave, Mt Lidgbird, 1911, E.King; syn: NSW; mouth of Soldiers Creek, 1898, J.H.Maiden; syn: NSW.</type></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>Polystichum kingii f. umbrosa Watts, op. cit. 403, nom. prov.</citation><type>T: Lord Howe Island, collector not specified; holo: ?NSW n.v.</type></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>Polystichum moorei var. tenerum Watts, Proc. Linn. Soc. New South Wales 39: 258 (1914).</citation><type>T: mouth of Soldiers Creek, Lord Howe Island, [1898], J.H.Maiden; syn: ?NSW n.v.; isosyn: P; base of Mt Gower, Lord Howe Island, 1911, E.King; syn: ?NSW n.v.; isosyn: P.</type></synonym></synonymy> <description>Terrestrial or lithophytic ferns. Rhizome short; scales dense, lanceolate, to 2 cm long, 2–5 mm broad, long-acute, brown. Fronds 3-pinnate or 2-pinnatisect; stipe 2–12 cm long; scales on stipe numerous, similar to those on rhizome, to 1.5 cm long, especially dense towards base; rachis with scattered, linear-lanceolate, brown scales to 1 cm long, especially 82 towards base, and minute glandular hairs; lamina lanceolate in outline, 10 –25 cm long, 7–14 cm broad; pinnules obliquely ovate, 0.5–2 cm long, with apices obtuse, bluntly serrate; veins not visible above. Sori ±dome-shaped, 1.5–2 mm diam., glandular; indusia orbicular.</description> <image kind="fig"><image_text>Fig. H.</image_text><image_url>v*****_f*****.jpg</image_url></image> 106F– <distribution>Lord Howe Is. Endemic. Found near Mts Gower and Lidgbird.</distribution> <habitat>Rare in rocky habitats near and around the bases of Mts Gower and Lidgbird.</habitat> <specimens>L.H.Is.: E side of Mt Lidgbird, E.King s.n. (NSW); loc. id., 1920, J.L.Boorman (NSW); Tableland, J.Pickard 3633 (NSW); W base of Mt Gower, 1913, W.R.B.Oliver (NSW, P).</specimens></taxon> <taxon><seq>2</seq><parent>Polystichum</parent><name_info><name>whiteleggei</ name><author>Watts</author><protologue><ref>Proc. Linn. Soc. New South Wales 39: 258</ref><date>(1914)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><type>T: [slopes of Mt Lidgbird], Lord Howe Is., [1911], W.W.Watts; holo: NSW; iso: BRI. Named after Thomas Whitelegge (1850 –1927) of the Australian Museum, who collected zoological specimens on the Island in 1887 , and who first pointed out the distinctiveness of this fern.</type></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Aspidium aculeatum auct. non (L) Sw.: F.J.H. von Mueller, Fragm. 9: 78 (1875)]</citation></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Aspidium capense auct. non (L.f.) Willd.: G.Bentham. Fl. Austral. 7: 758 (1878); W.B.Hemsley, Ann. Bot. (London) 10: 265 (1896)]</citation></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Polystichum moorei auct. non H.Christ: W.W.Watts, Proc. Linn. Soc. New South Wales 37: 399–401 (1913)]</citation></synonym></synonymy> <illustrations>Illustration: D.L.Jones, Encycl. Ferns 299 (1987).</illustrations> <description>Terrestrial or lithophytic ferns, ±tufted. Rhizome sh ortly creeping; scales on apex dense, lanceolate, to 2 cm long, 3–4 mm broad, long-acute, dark brown. Fronds 3pinnate; stipe (5–) 10–50 cm long; scales on stipe similar to those on rhizome, to 1.5 cm long, especially towards base; lamina deltoid in outline, (10–) 15–50 cm long, (7–) 12–40 cm broad, somewhat coriaceous; rachis and costae with usually dense, lanceolate scales to 7 mm long, with non-glandular arachnoid hairs between which are easily rubbed off; pinnules lanceolate, 1–2 cm long, irregularly bluntly serrate with apex bluntly acute and veins just visible above. Sori often almost covering lower surface; indusia ±funnel -shaped, 1–2 mm diam., without glands, caducous.</description> <image kind="fig"><image_text>Fig. K.</image_text><image_url>v*****_f*****.jpg</image_url></image> 106I– <distribution>Lord Howe Is. Endemic. Locally common to rare onMts Gower and Lidgbird.</distribution> <habitat>Found on Lidgbird.</habitat> the flanks and edges of the summits of Mts Gower and <specimens>L.H.Is.: N flank of Mt Lidgbird, M.M.J. van Balgooy 1148 (CANB, NSW); loc. id., R.D.Hoogland 8758 (CANB, NSW); E slopes of Mt Lidgbird, P.S.Green 1687 (A, K, NSW); Erskine Valley, A.N.Rodd 1701 (NSW); N ridge of Mt Gower, J.Pickard 2641 (NSW).</specimens> <note>In the past a common name, Heavy Fern, has been used for this species, alluding to the weight of a fully developed, thick textured, frond with its dense indumentum of scales.</note> </taxon> 83 <taxon><rank>gen.</rank><parent>DRYOPTERIDACEAE</parent><seq>4</seq><titl e>4. LASTREOPSIS</title> <name_info><name>Lastreopsis</name><author>Ching</author><protologue><ref> Bull. Fan Mem. Inst. Biol. 8: 157</ref><date>(1938)</date></protologue></name_info><etymology>from Lastrea, a related genus, and the Greek suffix -opsis (similar to)</etymology> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><type>Type: L. tenera (R.Br.) Tindale = L. recedens (J.Sm. ex T.Moore) Ching</type></synonym></synonymy> <description>Terrestrial or epiphytic ferns. Rhizome creeping or rarely erect, clothed with narrow scales. Fronds 3- or 4-pinnate, outline generally deltoid; costae grooved above and confluent with the rachis groove, both with dense and short hairs. Upper basal pinnule lobe nearest the costa usually larger than the lower; veins free, sometimes reaching the margin. Sori round, dorsal or terminal on veinlets; indusia usually present, usually reniform.</description> <distribution>A genus of c. 33 species, widespread in the tropics, reaching temperate areas in Tasmania and New Zealand; 1 endemic species on each Island.</distribution> <bibliography>G.Bentham, Filices, Deparia, Fl. Austral. 7: 714 (1878); M.D.Tindale, A monograph of the genus Lastreopsis Ching, Contr. New South Wales Natl. Herb. 3: 249–339 (1965).</bibliography> Rhizome long-creeping; stipe base with relatively few scattered dark brown scales to 0.6 cm long; margins of pinnules dentate; sori medial (N.Is.) Rhizome scarcely creeping; stipe base with dense, very dark brown scales to 2 cm long; margins of pinnules crenate; sori medial to marginal, often on tip of a short marginal projection (L.H.Is.) </taxon> 1. L. calantha 2. L. nephrodioides <taxon><seq>1</seq><parent>Lastreopsis</parent><name_info><name>calantha</nam e><author>(Endl.) Tindale</author><protologue><ref>Victorian Naturalist 73: 184</ref><date>(1957)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><citation>Nephrodium calanthum Endl., Prodr. Fl. Norfolk. 9 (1833).</citation><type>T: Norfolk Is., 1804–1805, F.L.Bauer; holo: W. The epithet comes from the Greek calos (beautiful) and anthos (flower), presumably in reference to the attractive appearance of this fern.</type></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>Nephrodium microsorum Endl., loc. cit., p.p., quoad spec. ins. Norfolk.</citation></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Aspidium coriaceum auct. non (Sw.) Sw.: S.F.L.Endlicher, op. cit. 8]</citation></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Aspidium capense auct. non Willd.: J.H.Maiden, Proc. Linn. Soc. New South Wales 28: 736 (1904)]</citation></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Aspidium decompositum auct. non (R.Br.) Spreng.: J.H.Maiden, op. cit. 736]</citation></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Aspidium tenerum auct. non Spreng.: J.H.Maiden, op. cit. 737]</citation></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Polystichum adiantiforme auct. non (G.Forst.) J.Sm.: R.M.Laing, Trans. & Proc. New Zealand Inst. 47: 11 (1915)]</citation></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Lastreopsis decomposita auct. non (R.Br.) Tindale: M.D.Tindale, Contr. New South Wales Natl. Herb. 3: 321 (1965), p.p.]</citation></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Rumohra adiantiformis auct. non (G.Forst.) Ching: J.S.Turner et al., Conservation Norfolk Is. 30 (1968)]</citation></synonym></synonymy> 84 <description>Terrestrial fern. Rhizome long-creeping, decumbent at apex; rhizome and base of stipe covered with narrowly elongate, triangular, dark brown scales 2 –6 mm long, 0.5–1 mm broad at base. Fronds 3-pinnate to 4-pinnatisect, erect; stipes borne 1–2 cm apart, 15–30 (–50) cm tall, with scattered scales at base like those on rhizome; lamina 20 –50 (–70) cm long, 15–50 cm broad; pinnules 1–5 cm long, 0.5–1.5 cm broad, dentate, not aristate. Sori medial; indusia reniform, 0.5–0.75 mm diam., with a few glandular hairs 0.1 mm long.</description> <common_name>Shieldfern.</common_name> <image kind="fig"><image_text>Fig. M.</image_text><image_url>v*****_f*****.jpg</image_url></image> 106L– <distribution>Norfolk Is. Endemic.</distribution> <habitat>Fairly common in shaded forest.</habitat> <specimens>N.Is.: SE slope just below summit of Mt Bates, 1962, P.Ralston (NSW); between Palm Glen and Red Rd, R.J.Chinnock 5960 (AD, K); s. loc., 1964, P.Ralston (NSW); s. loc., W.G.Milne 13 (K); s. loc., 1849, C.J.Simmons (BM, K).</specimens> <note>Closely related to L. microsora (Endl.) Tindale from Australia and New Zealand.</note> </taxon> <taxon><seq>2</seq><parent>Lastreopsis</parent><name_info><name>nephrodioides </name><author>(Baker) Tindale</author><protologue><ref>Victorian Naturalist 73: 184</ref><date>(1957)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><citation>Deparia nephrodioides Baker, Gard. Chron. 32: 253 (1872); Davallia nephrodioides (Baker) F.Muell., Fragm. 10: 104 (1877); Dicksonia nephrodioides (Baker) F.Muell., Fragm. 9: 78 (1875); Dryopteris decomposita var. nephrodioides (Baker) Watts, Proc. Linn. Soc. New South Wales 37: 397 (1913); Dryopteris nephrodioides (Baker) Watts, Proc. Linn. Soc. New South Wales 39: 259 (1914), non (Hook.) Kuntze, nec (Klotsch) Hiron.; Ctenitis nephrodioides (Baker) F.Ballard, Kew Bull. 4: 559 (1955).</citation><type>T: Lord Howe Island, C.Moore 7; holo: K. Named from its resemblance to Nephrodium decompositum R.Br. (= Lastreopsis decomposita (R.Br.) Tindale).</type></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>Nephrodium apicale Baker in W.J.Hooker & J.G.Baker, Syn. Fil. 2nd edn, 499 (1874); Aspidium apicale (Baker) Benth., Fl. Austral. 7: 758 (1878); Ctenitis apicalis (Baker) F.Ballard, loc. cit.</citation><type>T: Lord Howe Island, C.Moore 28; holo: K.</type></synonym></synonymy> <illustrations>Illustrations: J.G.Baker in W.J.Hooker, Icon. Pl. 17: t. 1608 (1886), as Deparia nephrodioides; M.D.Tindale, Contr. New South Wales Natl. Herb. 3: t. 11/3, 11/4 (1965).</illustrations> <description>Terrestrial or epiphytic fern. Rhizome scarcely creeping, suberect at apex; rhizome and base of stipe densely covered with linear, ±hair-pointed, very dark brown scales 1–2 cm long, 1–2 mm broad at base. Fronds 4-pinnate to 5-pinnatisect, erect, ±tufted; stipe 10–40 cm tall, with lower part bearing scales like those on rhizome; lamina 15 –40 cm long, 20–50 cm broad; pinnules 1–4 cm long, 0.4–1.5 cm broad, crenate. Sori medial to marginal, often on the tip of a short marginal projection; indusia reniform, 0.5–1 mm diam., glabrous.</description> <image kind="fig"><image_text>Fig. P.</image_text><image_url>v*****_f*****.jpg</image_url></image> 106N– <distribution>Lord Howe Is. Endemic.</distribution> <habitat>Occurs in the forest on the southern parts of the Island, especially at higher altitudes.</habitat> <specimens>L.H.Is.: near the Goat House, R.D.Hoogland 8809 (NSW); E slopes of Mt Lidgbird, P.S.Green 1689 (A, NSW); Erskine Valley, A.C.Beauglehole 5741 (A, BRI, MEL); slopes of Mt Gower, 1911, W.W.Watts (BRI, NSW); summit of Mt Gower, P.S.Green 1652 (A, NSW).</specimens></taxon> 85 <taxon><rank>doubtful</rank><parent> Lastreopsis </parent><seq>1</seq><title> Dou btful record </title> <note>Lastreopsis microsora (Endl.) Tindale was included by S.F.L.Endlicher in his Prodromus Florae Norfolkicae (1833) on p. 9, as Nephrodium microsorum, citing a collection from Norfolk Is. made by F.L.Bauer, but this specimen fits his description of N. calanthum, while his description of N. microsorum fits the Australian collection by F.W.Sieber which he also cites. M.D.Tindale (Victorian Naturalist 73: 182, 1957) has typified N. microsorum on this Sieber material.</note></taxon> <taxon><rank>family</rank><title>DAVALLIACEAE</title> <contributors><contributor>P.S.Green</contributor><contributor_address>Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 3AB, England</contributor_address></contributors> <description>Terrestrial or epiphytic ferns. Rhizome erect, creeping or climbing, densely covered with scales. Fronds simple or pinnate, usually articulate with rhizome. Pinnae entire or deeply lobed, articulate with rachis. Veins usually free, rarely confluent, usually ending near margin in a hydrathode. Sori dorsal or submarginal; indusia reniform or sometimes peltate, rarely lacking.</description> <distribution>A pantropical family of c. 9 genera and c. 200 species; 2 genera native on the Islands.</distribution> KEY TO GENERA Rhizome erect; stipe not articulate to rhizome 1. NEPHROLEPIS Rhizome creeping or climbing; stipe articulate to rhizome 2. ARTHROPTERIS </taxon> <taxon><rank>gen.</rank><parent>DAVALLIACEAE</parent><seq>1</seq><title>1. NEPHROLEPIS</title> <name_info><name>Nephrolepis</name><author>Schott</author><protologue><ref >Gen. Fil. 1: t. 3</ref><date>(1834)</date></protologue></name_info><etymology>from the Greek nephros (a kidney) and lepis (a scale), in allusion to the kidney-shaped indusia in the type species</etymology> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><type>Type: Schott</type></synonym></synonymy> N. exaltata (L.) <description>Terrestrial or sometimes epiphytic ferns. Rhizome short, erect; scales peltate at base. Fronds pinnate; stipe tufted, not articulate to rhizome; lamina long and narrow; pinnae usually crowded, articulate to rachis, asymmetrical at base, usually crenate; veins free, simple or forked. Sori usually circular in a single row on each side of costae, terminal on a vein, dorsal or near margin; indusia reniform.</description> 86 <distribution>A pantropical Islands.</distribution> genus of c. <note>It has also been Nephrolepidaceae.</note> treated as <bibliography>G.Bentham, Filices, (1878).</bibliography> </taxon> 30 a species; monotypic Aspidium, 1 species family Fl. of native to both its own, the 7: 754 Austral. <taxon><seq>1</seq><parent>Nephrolepis</parent><name_info><name>cordifolia</na me><author>(L.) C.Presl</author><protologue><ref>Tent. Pterid. 79</ref><date>(1836)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><citation>Polypodium cordifolium L., Sp. Pl. 2: 1089 (1753); Aspidium cordifolium (L.) Sw., J. Bot. (Schrader) 1800(2): 32 (1801).</citation><type>T: Petiver, Pter.-Americana t. 1, fig. 11 (1712). The epithet comes from the botanical Latin cordatum (heart-shaped) and folium (a leaf), in allusion to the heart-shaped pinnae depicted in an early drawing of this species.</type></s ynonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>Aspidium tuberosum Bory ex Willd., Sp. Pl. 5: 234 (1810); Nephrolepis tuberosa (Bory ex Willd.) C.Presl, Tent. Pterid. 79 (1836).</citation><type>T: Réunion, J.B.G.M.Bory de St. Vincent s.n.; holo: B n.v., IDC microfiche 7740/1.1427/13.</type></synonym></synonymy> <illustrations>Illustrations: D.L.Jones, Encycl. Ferns 36, 182, 304 (1987); P.J.Brownsey & J.C.SmithDodsworth, New Zealand Ferns & Allied Pl. 136, fig. 172A, D, t. 31D (1989); S.B.Andrews, Ferns Queensland 249, fig. 23.2B (1990).</illustrations> <description>Terrestrial fern. Rhizome with numerous, narrow, attenuate, light brown scales. Fronds pinnate, erect; stipe 5–10 cm long, with narrow scales becoming linear above; lamina 30–50 cm long, 2–4.5 cm broad; rachis with narrow, linear scales; pinnae closely adjacent, subsessile, deltoid-oblong, 10–25 mm long, 5–9 mm broad, unequally cordate at base, shortly auriculate, the lobes overlapping the rachis, shallowly crenate; veins terminating in submarginal hydrathodes on upper surface. Sori in a single row on each side of costae.</description> <common_name>Pop-Rock Fern (N.Is.).</common_name> <distribution>Norfolk Is., Lord Howe Is. Also known from Australia, New Zealand and New Caledonia, probably pantropical, but much cultivated and possibly naturalised in some places.</distribution> <habitat>Local on Norfolk Is.; common in rocky habitats on Lord Howe Is.</habitat> <specimens>N.Is.: s. loc., C.J.Simmons (K); s. loc., V.Thomson (K). L.H.Is.: ascent of Mt Gower, P.S.Green 1608 (K); W side of Mt Lidgbird, J.C.Game 69/191 (K); s. loc., C.Moore 27 & 73 (K).</specimens> <note>W.R.Sykes in Kermadec Is. Fl. 68 (1977) suggests that on Norfolk Is. the native plants differ from the naturalised plants (found near dwellings and known as the Fishbone Fern). As on North Is., New Zealand, the matter needs investigation; the native plant is treated and described as Nephrolepis aff. cordifolia in Fl. New Zealand 4: 14 (1988) and by P.J.Brownsey & J.C.Smith-Dodsworth, New Zealand Ferns & Allied Pl. 137, fig. 172, t. 31F (1989).</note> </taxon> 87 <taxon><rank>gen.</rank><parent>DAVALLIACEAE</parent><seq>2</seq><title>2. ARTHROPTERIS</title> <name_info><name>Arthropteris</name><author>J.Sm. ex Hook.f.</author><protologue><ref>Fl. Nov.-Zel. 2: 43, t. 82</ref><date>(1854)</date></protologue></name_info><etymology>from the Greek arthron (a joint) and pteris (a fern), in reference to the joint, or articulation, at the base of the pinnae</etymology> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><type>Type: Hook.f.</type></synonym></synonymy> A. tenella (G.Forst.) J.Sm. ex <description>Epiphytic or lithophytic fern. Rhizome slender, long creeping or climbing, scaly; scales with toothed margins. Fronds pinnate, small to medium sized; stipes remote, articulate to rhizome at base; rachis with multiseptate hairs and often scales; pinnae articulate to rachis, entire or lobed; veins free, bifurcating. Sori circular, in 1 row on each side of pinnae below, often submarginal; indusia reniform or lacking.</description> <distribution>A genus of c. 20 species from tropical Africa through southern Asi a to Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific islands (including Juan Fernandez); 1 species native to both Islands.</distribution> <bibliography>G.Bentham, Filices, (1878).</bibliography> </taxon> Polypodium, Fl. Austral. 7: 764 <taxon><seq>1</seq><parent>Arthropteris</parent><name_info><name>tenella</name ><author>(G.Forst.) J.Sm. ex Hook.f.</author><protologue><ref> Fl. Nov.-Zel. 2: 43, t. 82</ref><date>(1854)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><citation>Polypodium tenellum G.Forst., Fl. Ins. Austr. 81 (1786).</citation><type>T: s. loc. [New Zealand?], J.R. & G.Forster; lecto: BM, fide M.D.Tindale, Contr. New South Wales Natl. Herb. Fl. Ser. 208: 9 (1961). The epithet is from the Latin tenellus (somewhat delicate), in allusion to the habit.</type></synonym></synonymy> <illustrations>Illustrations: D.L.Jones & S.C.Clemesha, Austral. Ferns & Fern Allies 2nd edn, 81, fig. 64 (1981); P.J.Brownsey & J.C.Smith-Dodsworth, New Zealand Ferns & Allied Pl. 135, fig. 170, t. 31A, B (1989); S.B.Andrews, Ferns Queensland 245, fig. 23.1A (1990).</illustrations> <description>Epiphytic or lithophytic fern. Rhizome climbing, elongated, covered with narrow, overlapping, brown scales, attached just above their rounded bases, and mixed with smaller scales and hairs. Fronds: stipe articulated at base, 3–8 cm long, with scales becoming sparser upwards; rachis with occasional, smaller scales and shorter hairs; lamina 8 –30 cm long; pinnae 4–14 per side, lanceolate, 3–6 cm long, 0.8–1.3 cm broad, very shortly stalked, articulate and ±asymmetrical at base, crenate to almost entire (sterile pinnae), acuminate. Sori circular, submarginal, 10–20 per side, without indusia.</description> <common_name>Climbing Fern.</common_name> <image kind="fig"><image_text>Fig. C.</image_text><image_url>v*****_f*****.jpg</image_url></image> 106A– <distribution>Norfolk Is., Lord Howe Is. Also known from Australia (Qld, N.S.W.), and New Zealand.</distribution> <habitat>Common in the dense forest of the National Park on Norfolk Is., and likewise in the forest on the northern half of Lord Howe Is.</habitat> <specimens>N.Is.: E slopes of Mt Bates, R.D.Hoogland 11251 (CANB, NSW); s. loc., 1902, J.H.Maiden & J.L.Boorman (K, NSW); s. loc., A.Cunningham 47 (K). L.H.Is.: between Hunter Bay and North Bay, J.D.Hoogland 8681 (NSW); approach to Transit Hill, 1920, J.L.Boorman (BRI, NSW); S slope of Intermediate Hill, R.D.Hoogland 8739 (NSW).</specimens></taxon> 88 <taxon><rank>doubtful</rank><parent> Arthropteris </parent><seq>1</seq><title> Dou btful records </title> <note seq="1">Davallia pyxidata Cav. was recorded from Mt Pitt, Norfolk Is., by R.M.Laing (Trans. & Proc. New Zealand Inst. 47: 11, 1915), citing J.H.Maiden (Proc. Linn. Soc. New South Wales 28: 737, 1904), but traceable back to W.J.Hooker (Sp. Fil. 1: 169, 1875), who cited a specimen collected by Dr. V.Thomson. In the Kew Herbarium there is a frond of this species labelled 'Norfolk Island' in Hooker's hand, but as this species, native to eastern Australia, has never been collected on the Island by anyone else, the record should be rejected and attributed to an error in labelli ng.</note> <note seq="2">Rumohra adiantiformis (G.Forst.) Ching, as Aspidium capense (L.f.) Willd., was recorded from Lord Howe Is. by G.Bentham (Fl. Austral. 7: 758, 1878) and, following him, by W.B.Hemsley (Ann. Bot. (London) 10: 265, 1896). G.Bentham cited a specimen collected by C.Moore (sides of cliffs, Red Point, Mt Lidgbird, C.Moore 18, K), but this specimen is actually Polystichum whiteleggei Watts. It appears therefore, that Rumohra adiantiformis has never occurred on Lord Howe Is.</note> <note seq="3">J.S.Turner et al., Conservation of Norfolk Is. 30 (1968), with some doubt, list Rumohra adiantiformis for Norfolk Is., but the record may be traced back through synonymy via Aspidium capense (J.H.Maiden, Proc. Linn. Soc. New South Wales 28: 736, 1904), to Aspidium coriaceum Sw. (S.F.L.Endlicher, Prodr. Fl. Norfolk. 8, 1833), yet the F.L.Bauer specimen cited, and present in W, is actually Lastreopsis calantha. It appears therefore, that Rumohra adiantiformis has never occurred on Norfolk Is. either.</note></taxon> <taxon><rank>family</rank><title>BLECHNACEAE</title> <contributors><contributor>P.S.Green</contributor><contributor_address>R oyal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 3AB, England</contributor_address></contributors> <description>Terrestrial, rarely epiphytic or lithophytic ferns. Rhizome short, erect or suberect, sometimes forming a trunk, or scandent, scaly especially at apex. Fronds often in rosettes, simple to bipinnate, often coarsely textured, all similar, or dimorphic, with fertile fronds contracted. Sori oblong to linear, in 1 or 2 rows either side of midrib, or continuous, parallel to and near costa of a pinna or its lobes; indusia attached to side of sorus away from costa and opening towards it.</description> <distribution>A family of one large genus, Blechnum, and about 7 other smaller ones, with c. 220 species. Worldwide, but most abundant in the southern tropical regions. Two genera native to Norfolk and Lord Howe Islands.</distribution> KEY TO GENERA Sori forming a continuous band on either side of midrib Sori short, oblong in one or two rows on either side of midrib 1. BLECHNUM 2. DOODIA 89 </taxon> <taxon><rank>gen.</rank><parent>BLECHNACEAE</parent><seq>1</seq><title>1. BLECHNUM</title> <name_info><name>Blechnum</name><author>L.</author><protologue><ref>S p. Pl. 2: 1077</ref><date>(1753)</date></protologue></name_info><etymology>Gen. Pl. 5th edn, 485(1754); from blechnon, a name used by Greek authors for a fern, possibly not even this genus</etymology> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><type>Type: B. occidentale L.</type></synonym></synonymy> <description>Terrestrial, rarely epiphytic or lithophytic ferns. Rhizome stout, usually erect, rarely creeping, with dark brown, shining, entire scales at apex. Fronds uniform or dimorphic, usually pinnate or deeply pinnatifid, rarely simple or bipinnatifid, usually coriaceous, entire or serrate; veins free, frequently once forked, parallel. Sori linear, continuous, parallel to and close to midrib or costae, dense, covering lower surface of linear lobes of fertile fronds; indusia membranous, attached to margin, covering sori when young.</description> <distribution>A genus of c. 200 species with a worldwide distribution, but most species in the Southern Hemisphere. One species native to Norfolk Is., and 5 native to Lord Howe Is. (3 endemic).</distribution> <bibliography>G.Bentham, Filices, Blechnum, Fl. Austral. 7: 738–740 (1878).</bibliography> 1 Sterile fronds simple (L.H.Is.) 1: All fronds pinnate, pinnatifid or pinnatisect 2 1. B. patersonii Sterile fronds deeply pinnatisect, pinnatifid or pinnate; lobes joined by a narrow wing on rachis 3 Basal pinnae abruptly reduced in length to a basal pair of pinnae 10 mm long and 1 or 2 distant pairs 0.5–2 mm long; rachis geniculate at base of lamina (L.H.Is.) 3: Basal pinnae very gradually reduced in length; rachis straight, not geniculate 4 Lower pinnae ±at right angles to rachis; apices obtuse; major pinnae narrowing in their upper half (N.Is.) 4: Lower pinnae at an angle of 45°–60° to rachis; apices acute; major pinnae generally narrowing from near their base (L.H.Is.) 2: 2. B. geniculatum 3. B. norfolkianum 4. B. contiguum Sterile fronds pinnate; pinnae often contiguous or sometimes overlapping slightly, ±auriculate at base or in lower half of frond (L.H.Is.) 5 Rachis of fronds sparsely scaly, without setae; pinnae up to 20 cm long 5: Rachis of fronds sparsely scaly but with dense dark brown setae; pinnae up to 7 cm long 5. B. howeanum 6. B. fullagarii <note>On Norfolk Is., growing against the base of the wall of the Melanesian Mission Chapel, is a Blechnum which by tradition is said to have been brought there from Melanesia during the time that the Melanesian Mission was based on Norfolk Is. It appears to be a member of the difficult, unresolved B. procerum (G.Forst.) Sw. group (P.S.Green 2442, K). As it seems to be entirely a cultivated species, it is not treated further here.</note> </taxon> 90 <taxon><seq>1</seq><parent>Blechnum</parent><name_info><name>patersonii</nam e><author>(R.Br.) Mett.</author><protologue><ref>Fil. Hort. Bot. Lips. 64, t. 4, figs 4–10</ref><date>(1856)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><citation>Stegania patersonii R.Br., Prodr. 152 (1810).</citation><type>T: Tasmania, W.Paterson; holo: BM. Named after William Paterson (1755– 1810), botanical explorer and twice temporary Governor of New South Wales.</type></synonym></synonymy> <illustrations>Illustrations: D.L.Jones & S.C.Clemesha, Austral. Ferns & Fern Allies 2nd edn, 101, fig. 97 (1981); D.L.Jones, Encycl. Ferns 323 (1987); P.G.Wilson in G.J.Harden, Fl. New South Wales 1: 66 (1990).</illustrations> <description>Terrestrial. Rhizome short, ±erect; apical scales narrow, 3 –4 mm long, brown. Fronds dimorphic, glabrous, clustered; stipe 2.5–20 cm long. Lamina of sterile fronds simple, very narrowly oblanceolate, 20–50 cm long, 1.5–2.5 cm broad, long-decurrent at base, acuminate; margins finely undulate; veins close together, simple or once forked near midrib. Lamina of fertile fronds simple; lobes linear, 2–4 mm broad.</description> <distribution>Lord Howe Is. Rare, confined to the upper parts of Mt Gower. Also known from eastern Australia (Qld to Tas.).</distribution> <specimens>L.H.Is.: N ridge of Mt Gower, J.Pickard 2640 (NSW); ridge of Mt Gower, J.Pickard 3610 (NSW); almost at the top of Mt Gower, P.S.Green 2332 (K).</specimens> <note>In mainland Australia and Tasmania the sterile and fertile fronds may be irregularly pinnatisect. The island plant appears to consistently bear simple frond s.</note> </taxon> <taxon><seq>2</seq><parent>Blechnum</parent><name_info><name>geniculatum</n ame><author>T.C.Chambers & P.A.Farrant</author><protologue><ref> Telopea 5: 329</ref><date>(1993)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><type>T: Lord Howe Island, J.Pickard 3632; holo: NSW; iso: K. The epithet alludes to the strongly geniculate base to the sterile fronds.</type></synonym></synonymy> <illustrations>Illustration: T.C.Chambers & P.A.Farrant, Telopea 5: 330, fig. 1 (1993).</illustrations> <description>Terrestrial or lithophytic fern. Rhizome shortly creeping; apical scales dense, 5–20 mm long, acute, dark brown. Fronds dimorphic, somewhat clustered; rachis strongly geniculate at base of the fronds forming an inverted 'cup', glabrous; stipe 8–32 cm long. Lamina of sterile fronds deeply pinnatisect, overall outline broadly lanceolate, 10 –25 cm long, 7–15 cm broad; pinnae 8–23 pairs, closely adjacent, overlapping slightly towards frond base, broadly oblong-linear, up to 3.5–8 cm long, 1–2 cm broad, at frond base abruptly reduced to 1 pair of very short roundish lobes to 1 cm long, and 1 or 2 others, distant, 0.5 –2 mm long; apex of pinnae acuminate, stoutly aristate; veins close together, rarely once forking. Lamina of fertile fronds with 10–17 pairs of linear pinnae.</description> <image kind="fig"><image_text>Fig. 107C.</image_text><image_url>v*****_f*****.jpg</image_url></image> <distribution>Lord Howe Is. Endemic and rare on the summits of Mts Gower and Lidgbird.</distribution> <habitat>Growing on damp to wet, shaded banks in moss-forest.</habitat> <specimens>L.H.Is.: summit plateau of Mt Gower, P.S.Green 1655 (A); loc. id., P.S.Green 1996 (K); 600 m N of tableland on W side of Mt Lidgbird, J.Pickard 3632 (K, NSW).</specimens></taxon> 91 <taxon><seq>3</seq><parent>Blechnum</parent><name_info><name>norfolkianum</ name><author>(Heward) Maiden</author><protologue><ref>Proc. Linn. Soc. New South Wales 28: 732</ref><date>(1904)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><citation>Lomaria norfolkiana Heward, London J. Bot. 1: 122 (1842); Blechnum lanceolatum var. norfolkianum (Heward) Laing, Trans. & Proc. New Zealand Inst. 47: 13 (1915).</citation><type>T: Norfolk Island, A.Cunningham 34; holo: K. Named after Norfolk Is.</type></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>Lomaria acuminata Baker in W.J.Hooker & J.G.Baker, Syn. Fil. 2nd edn, 481 (1874), nom. illeg. non Desv. (1811), nec C.Presl (1825); Spicanta acuminata (Baker) Kuntze, Revis. Gen. 2: 821 (1891), nom. illeg.; Blechnum acuminatum (Baker) Maiden, op. cit. 733 (1904) nom. illeg. non Fée (1852), nec Sturm (1853).</citation><type>T: Norfolk Island, [Milne 14]; holo: K.</type></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Stegania lanceolata auct. non R.Br.: S.F.L.Endlicher, Prodr. Fl. Norfolk. 11 (1833)]</citation></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Lomaria lanceolata auct. non (R.Br.) Spreng.: W.J.Hooker, Icon. Pl. 5: sub t. 429 (1842), p.p.]</citation></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Blechnum lanceolatum auct. non (R.Br.) Sturm: J.H.Maiden, op. cit. 732]</citation></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Blechnum nudum auct. non (Labill.) Mett. ex Luerss.: J.H.Willis, Handb. Pl. Victoria 1: 43 (1962), p.p.]</citation></synonym></synonymy> <description>Terrestrial fern. Rhizome short, erect; apical scales 3–4 mm long, long-pointed, dark brown. Fronds dimorphic, erect, not geniculate, glabrous, clustered; stipe 10 –35 cm long. Lamina of sterile fronds deeply pinnatifid, overall outline elliptic, 30 –80 cm long, 4.5– 20 cm broad; pinnae 15–30 pairs (excluding the greatly diminished basal pairs), slightly dentate, especially towards apex, long-acute, the longest 2.5–10 cm long, 0.7–1.7 cm broad; median pinnae narrowing in their upper half; basal pinnae very gradually reduced for c. 1/3 length of lamina, ±at right angles to the rachis, apices obtuse; major sterile pinnae narrowing in their upper half; veins often forking once near midrib. Lamina of fertile fronds pinnate, with 25–35 pairs of linear pinnae.</description> <common_name>Norfolk Island Water Fern.</common_name> <image kind="fig"><image_text>Fig. B.</image_text><image_url>v*****_f*****.jpg</image_url></image> 107A– <distribution>Norfolk Is. Not common; occurs on Mt Bates. Also known from the Kermadec Is., Vanuatu, Samoa and the Society Is.</distribution> <habitat>Found in valleys in the middle and upper slopes of Mt Bates.</habitat> <specimens>N.Is.: E slopes of Mt Bates, R.D.Hoogland 11195 (CANB, K, NSW); between Palm Glen and Red Rd, M.Lazarides 8085 (CANB, K, NSW); loc. id., R.J.Chinnock 5953 (AD, K); S slopes of Mt Bates, P.S.Green 1866 (K); s. loc., A.Cunningham 34 & 56 (K).</specimens> <note seq="1">The Kermadec Island plants are perhaps a little less robust and the margins of the pinna lobes slightly more dentate than those on Norfolk Island. This species is very close to B. chambersii Tindale (B. lanceolatum (R.Br.) Sturm) of eastern Australia and B. aggregatum (Colenso) Tindale of New Zealand.</note> <note seq="2">One collection in MEL from Lord Howe Is. (the south -eastern side of Mt Lidgbird) made on 26 Nov. 1962 by A.C.Beauglehole (A.C.Beauglehole 5398) may be this species. It differs from the Norfolk Is. plant only by being almost comp letely pinnate (the base of the pinnae are scarcely joined even by a 1 mm wide continuation of the lamina) and the tips of the pinnae lack even very slight serrations.</note> </taxon> 92 <taxon><seq>4</seq><parent>Blechnum</parent><name_info><name>contiguum</n a me><author>Mett.</author><protologue><ref>Ann. Sci. Nat. Bot. ser. 4, 15: 70</ref><date>(1861)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><type>T: New Caledonia, E.Veillard 1524; holo: ?P n.v. The epithet alludes to the contiguous lobes of the fronds.</type></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>Blechnum sp. aff. oceanicum (Rosenst.) Brownlie; A.N.Rodd & J.Pickard, Cunninghamia 1: 268 (1983).</citation></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Lomaria attenuata auct. non (Sw.) Willd.: G.Bentham, Fl. Austral. 7: 736 (1878), et sensu aliorum]</citation></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Blechnum attenuatum auct. non (Sw.) Mett.: W.W.Watts, Proc. Linn. Soc. New South Wales 37: 397 (1913); W.R.B.Oliver, Trans. & Proc. New Zealand Inst. 49: 116 (1917)]</citation></synonym></synonymy> <illustrations>Illustration: C.J.Goudey, Austral. Fern J. 1: [6] t. 9 (1984).</illustrations> <description>Climbing epiphyte fern. Rhizome long, covered with dense, narrowly lanceolate scales; scales c. 1.5 cm long, with a long fine apex. Fronds dimorphic, 0.5 –2 cm apart on rhizome; stipe 5–10 cm long, with a few scattered, narrow scales. Sterile fronds erect, not geniculate; lamina pinnate, overall outline narrowly lanceolate, 30 –50 cm or more long, 5–12 cm broad, glabrous or a few narrow scales beside midrib beneath; base with gradually reduced pinnae; pinnae 30–40 pairs, borne at an angle of 45°–60° to midrib, not overlapping, narrowly elongate-triangular, sometimes somewhat falcate, (2.5–) 3–7 cm long, 0.5–1 cm broad at base, diminishing gradually to a long-acute apex, with bases entire; veins distinct below, usually forked once. Lamina of fertile fronds pinnate; pi nnae 40–50 pairs, narrowly linear, 4–10 cm long.</description> <image kind="fig"><image_text>Fig. J.</image_text><image_url>v*****_f*****.jpg</image_url></image> 107H– <distribution>Lord Howe Is. Frequent on the summits of Mts Gower and Lidgbird. Also known from New Caledonia.</distribution> <habitat>Found in the cloud-forest.</habitat> <specimens>L.H.Is.: top of Mt Gower, P.S.Green 1601 (A, K, NSW); loc. id., C.Moore 14 (K); summit plateau of Mt Gower, J.C.Game 65/1/s.n. (K); summit of Mt Lidgbird, C.Moore 82 (K); cliff above middle of Erskine Valley, Mt Lidgbird, A.N.Rodd 1776 (NSW).</specimens> <note>The New Caledonian plants tend to be larger and bear pinnae which are more parallel sided.</note> </taxon> <taxon><seq>5</seq><parent>Blechnum</parent><name_info><name>howeanum</na me><author>T.C.Chambers & P.A.Farrant</author><protologue><ref> Telopea 5: 331</ref><date>(1993)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><type>T: Lord Howe Island, A.N.Rodd 3700; holo: NSW n.v., fide T.C.Chambers & P.A.Farrant, loc. cit. Named after the island to which it is endemic.</type></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>Blechnum sp. aff. wattsii Tindale: A.N.Rodd & J.Pickard, Cunninghamia 1: 268 (1983).</citation></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>Blechnum sp. aff. capense (L.) Schltdl.: C.J.Goudey, Austral. Fern J. 1: [8 & 10] (1984).</citation></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Lomaria capensis auct. non (L.) Willd.: G.Bentham, Fl. Austral. 7: 737 (1878), p.p., et sensu aliorum]</citation></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Blechnum capense auct. non (L.) Schltdl.: W.W.Watts, Proc. Linn. Soc. New South Wales 37: 397 (1913); W.R.B.Oliver, Trans. & Proc. New Zealand Inst. 49: 122 (1917)]</citation></synonym></synonymy> <illustrations>Illustration: T.C.Chambers & P.A.Farrant, Telopea 5: 332, fig. 2 (1993).</illustrations> <description>Terrestrial fern. Rhizome creeping or shortly erect; apical scales dense, to 2.5 cm long, reddish-brown, acuminate. Fronds dimorphic; stipe to 45 cm long, scaly; scales 93 with a basal black spot, dense and similar to those on rhizome for c. 8 cm from base, diminishing in size and density up stipe. Lamina of sterile fronds pinnate, linear to lanceolate or deltoid in outline, to 70 cm long, to 40 cm broad, with a few, scattered narrow scales; pinnae 24 pairs, often overlapping, narrowly lanceolate, 15–20 cm long, 2–2.5 cm broad, auriculate-hastate, serrulate-crenulate, long-acuminate; veins numerous and unbranched; basal pinnae reduced to auricles. Lamina of fertile fronds pinnate; pinnae narrowly linear, to 20 cm long, auriculate with auricles diminishing in size up the rachis, finely laciniate.</description> <image kind="fig"><image_text>Fig. 107G.</image_text><image_url>v*****_f*****.jpg</image_url></image> <distribution>Lord Howe Is. Endemic.</distribution> <habitat>Grows in shaded montane forest, especially on the summits of Mts Gower and Lidgbird.</habitat> <specimens>L.H.Is.: near Dinner Run, J.Pickard 3621 (NSW); SE side of Mt Lidgbird, A.C.Beauglehole 5397 (MEL); S of Goat House, J.Pickard 3436 (NSW); summit of Mt Gower, P.S.Green 1659 (A); loc. id., J.C.Game 1/16B (BM, NSW).</specimens> <note>This species is a member of the widespread and complex B. capense (Willd.) Schltdl. aggregate, and related to a number of species in this group from Ne w Zealand and Australia.</note> </taxon> <taxon><seq>6</seq><parent>Blechnum</parent><name_info><name>fullagarii</nam e><author>(F.Muell.) C.Chr.</author><protologue><ref>Index Filic. 154</ref><date>(1905)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><citation>Lomaria fullagarii F.Muell., Fragm. 8: 157 (1874), as fullageri.</citation><type>T: Lord Howe Island, Lind & J.P.Fullagar; holo: MEL; iso: K. Named after James Fullagar (fl. 1866), who collected on Lord Howe Is. for the Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne.</type></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>Lomaria auriculata Baker in W.J.Hooker & J.G.Baker, Syn. Fil. 2nd edn, 481 (1874), non Desv. (1811), nom. illeg.</citation><type>T: [Mt Gower], Lord Howe Island, C.Moore [15]; holo: K.</type></synonym></synonymy> <illustrations>Illustration: C.J.Goudy, Austral. Fern. J. 1: [5] t. 8 (1984).</illustrations> <description>Terrestrial or lithophytic fern. Rhizome prominent; apical scales narrow, twisted, c. 1.5 cm long, long-pointed. Fronds dimorphic, clustered; stipe 5–10 cm long, with dense setose hairs and narrow scales, especially towards base. Lamina of sterile fronds pinnate or deeply pinnatifid, elliptic in outline, 30–50 cm long, 8–14 cm broad, with dense, dark brown, setose hairs on rachis and costae, scattered below; pinnae 15 –25 pairs, entire, blunt at apex, often contiguous or sometimes overlapping slightly; longest pinnae 5 –7 cm long, 1.2–2 cm broad in the middle; basal pinnae gradually reduced in length; veins mostly forked twice; pinnae in lower half of frond auriculate; upper pinnae ±adnate. Lamina of fertile fronds pinnate; pinnae 15–20 pairs, linear, 3–6 cm long. Sori continuous, indusiate when young.</description> <image kind="fig"><image_text>Fig. F.</image_text><image_url>v*****_f*****.jpg</image_url></image> 107D– <distribution>Lord Howe Is. Endemic; found on the top of Mt. Gower.</distribution> <habitat>Confined to cloud-forest.</habitat> <specimens>L.H.Is.: near the top of Mt Gower, C.Moore 3 (K); Mt Gower plateau, J.C.Game 69/235 (K); summit of Mt Gower, J.Pickard 3602 (NSW); top of Mt Gower, 1911, W.W.Watts (BRI, NSW); loc. id., J.C.Game 65/1/ s.n. (K); loc. id., C.Moore 15 (K).</specimens></taxon> 94 <taxon><rank>doubtful</rank><parent> Blechnum</parent><seq>1</seq><title> Doubt ful record </title> <note>Blechnum discolor (G.Forst.) Keys was recorded from Norfolk Is. by J.H.Maiden (Proc. Linn. Soc. New South Wales 28: 732, 1904), and earlier by G.Bentham (Fl. Austral. 7: 735, 1878) (as Lomaria discolor (G.Forst.) Willd.), but R.M.Laing records (Trans. & Proc. New Zealand Inst. 47: 13, 1915) that J.H.Maiden had subsequently come to the opinion that this identification was erroneous.</note> </taxon> <taxon><rank>gen.</rank><parent>BLECHNACEAE</parent><seq>2</seq><title>2. DOODIA</title> <name_info><name>Doodia</name><author>R.Br.</author><protologue><ref> Prodr. 151</ref><date>(1810)</date></protologue></name_info><etymology>named after Samuel Doody (1656–1706), an apothecary of London, who was an early worker on cryptogamic plants</etymology> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><type>Type: D. aspera R.Br.</type></synonym></synonymy> <description>Terrestrial. Rhizomes short, erect or suberect with persistent stipe bases and brown, or almost black, scales. Fronds all similar or dimorphic, pinnatifid to pinnate, usually hard textured, with sharply toothed margins; veins forked, connected by short, cross veinlets. Sori borne on outer veinlets, not marginal, oblong to somewhat linear, discrete or sometimes coalescing; indusia opening towards midrib.</description> <distribution>A genus of c. 12 species found from Sri Lanka, Java and Papua New Guinea to Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific islands. Three species native to Lord Howe Is, with 2 of these also present on Norfolk Is.</distribution> <bibliography>G.Bentham, Filices, Doodia, Fl. Austral. 7: 740–742 (1878); B.S.Parris, The Genus Doodia R.Br. (Blechnaceae: Filicales) in New Zealand, New Zealand J. Bot. 10: 585–604 (1972).</bibliography> 1 Lower pinnae adnate to rachis by a broadened base; stipe and rachis with tubercles and scales glabrescent 1: Lower pinnae attached to rachis by an unexpanded base or shortly stalked; stipe and rachis pubescent 2 Pinnae in middle 1/3 of frond partly or completely adnate to rachis 2: Pinnae in middle 1/3 of frond stalked </taxon> 1. D. aspera 2. D. media 3. D. caudata <taxon><seq>1</seq><parent>Doodia</parent><name_info><name>aspera</name><au thor>R.Br.</author><protologue><ref>Prodr. 151</ref><date>(1810)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><type>T: Port Jackson, Australia, R.Brown; holo: BM. The epithet is derived from the Latin asper (rough), in allusion to the rough stipe and rachis.</type></synonym></synonymy> <illustrations>Illustrations: D.L.Jones & S.C.Clemesha, Austral. Ferns & Fern Allies 2nd edn, 132, fig. 154 (1981); D.L.Jones, Encycl. Ferns 325 (1987); P.J.Brownsey & J.C.Smith-Dodsworth, New Zealand Ferns & Allied Pl. 151, fig. 193, t. 35A–B (1989).</illustrations> <description>Rhizome covered with blackish scales. Fronds: stipe and rachis with narrow, blackish, caducous scales leaving harsh tubercles when shed, usually glabrescent; fertile and sterile fronds similar, pinnate, 15–40 cm long, erect, harsh; pinnae, except sometimes the lowest pair, adnate to rachis by a broadened base; longest pinnae 1–7 cm long; terminal lobe 95 2–4 cm long. Sori in 1 or 2 rows on each side of midrib; indusia usually pushed to one side.</description> <distribution>Norfolk Is., Lord Howe Is. According to B.S.Parris, New Zealand J. Bot. 10: 590 (1972), it has been recorded from the Islands, but no material was cited. It was also recorded for Norfolk Island by J.H.Maiden, Proc. Linn. Soc. New South Wales 28: 733 (1904) and by R.M.Laing, Trans. & Proc. New Zealand Inst. 49: 13 (1915). However, the presence of this species on the Islands needs confirmation. It is known from Australia and the North Is. of New Zealand.</distribution> </taxon> <taxon><seq>2</seq><parent>Doodia</parent><name_info><name>media</name><au thor>R.Br.</author><protologue><ref>Prodr. 151</ref><date>(1810)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><citation>Doodia caudata var. media (R.Br.) Benth., Fl. Austral. 7: 742 (1878).</citation><type>T: Endeavour River, Queen sland, J.Banks & D.Solander; holo: BM. The epithet comes from the apparent mid position of this species in the three described by Robert Brown.</type></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Doodia kunthiana auct. non Gaudich.: S.F.L.Endlicher, Prodr. Fl. Norfolk. 11 (1833)]</citation></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Doodia lunulata auct. non R.Br. ex E.J.Lowe: E.J.Lowe, Ferns 4: 75 (1859)]</citation></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Doodia media var. kunthiana auct. non (Gaudich.) Maiden: J.H.Maiden, Proc. Linn. Soc. New South Wales 28: 733 (1904), p.p.]</citation></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Doodia caudata auct. non (Cav.) R.Br.: R.M.Laing, Trans. & Proc. New Zealand Inst. 49: 13 (1915)]</citation></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Doodia media subsp. australis auct. non Parris: A.N.Rodd & J.Pickard, Cunninghamia 1: 268 (1983)]</citation></synonym></synonymy> <illustrations>Illustrations: D.L.Jones & S.C.Clemesha, Austral. Ferns & Fern Allies 2nd edn, 135, figs 159, 160a (1981); D.L.Jones, Encycl. Ferns 327 (1987); S.B.Andrews, Ferns Queensland 103, fig. 7.8A (1990).</illustrations> <description>Rhizome densely covered with black scales. Fronds pubescent: stipe and rachis with narrow, dark brown scales, especially towards base, pubescent; fertile and sterile fronds similar (or fertile pinnae narrower), pinnate, 10–50 cm long, harsh, erect or inclined; pinnae in lower 1/3 of frond shortly stalked; pinnae in middle 1/3 of frond partly or completely adnate by an unwidened base to rachis, longest pinnae 1–5 cm long; terminal lobe 1–5 cm long. Sori oblong to elongate, in 1 (sometimes 2) rows on each side of mid rib, discrete or coalesced laterally; indusia linear, often obscured.</description> <distribution>Norfolk Is., Lord Howe Is. Also known from eastern Australia and New Caledonia.</distribution> <habitat>Common in low forest.</habitat> <specimens>N.Is.: SW lower slopes of Mt Pitt, P.S.Green 2404 (K); Anson Bay Rd, W.R.Sykes NI 18 (CHR); SE side of Mt Bates, R.J.Chinnock NK40 (CHR). L.H.Is.: E side of Mt Gower, C.Moore 13 (K); N slope of Mt Lidgbird, R.D.Hoogland 8764 (CANB, NSW); Goat House, A.C.Beauglehole 5976 (NSW).</specimens> <note>The Norfolk Is. (and Lord Howe Is.?) plants differ slightly from those from both Australia (subsp. media and subsp. australis Parris) and New Zealand (subsp. australis) in that the transition from stalked to adnate pinnae takes place relatively abruptly, but near the base of the frond (and in this they resemble much of the material from New Caledonia). However, this does not seem a sufficient basis for nomenclatural distinction.</note> </taxon> 96 <taxon><seq>3</seq><parent>Doodia</parent><name_info><name>caudata</name><a uthor>(Cav.) R.Br.</author><protologue><ref>Prodr. 151</ref><date>(1810)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><citation>Woodwardia caudata Cav., Descr. Pl. 264 (1801).</citation><type>T: Australia, M.Née; holo: ?M n.v. The epithet comes from the Latin cauda (a tail), in allusion to the long, terminal lobe to the fronds.</type></synonym></synonymy> <illustrations>Illustrations: D.L.Jones & S.C.Clemesha, Austral. Ferns & Fern Allies 2nd edn, 133, fig. 155 (1981); D.L.Jones, Encycl. Ferns 326 (1987); P.G.Wilson in G.J.Harden, Fl. New South Wales 1: 61 (1990).</illustrations> <description>Rhizome densely covered with brown scales. Fronds harsh textured, pinnate, dimorphic; stipe with a few brown scales, especially towards base; rachis without scales, pubescent. Sterile fronds inclined or somewhat prostrate, 5–15 cm long; lower and middle pinnae shortly stalked; longest pinnae 3–15 cm long; terminal lobe 1.5–6.5 cm long. Fertile fronds erect, 10–30 cm long; longest pinnae 5–20 cm long. Sori in a single row, elongate, often coalesced laterally, parallel to costae; indusium elongate.</description> <common_name>Small Raspfern.</common_name> <distribution>Lord Howe Is. Also known in Australia from Qld to Tas.</distribution> <habitat>Inhabiting rock crevices in montane forest.</habitat> <specimens>L.H.Is.: E slopes of Mt Lidgbird, P.S.Green 1692 (A, K); S face of Mt Lidgbird, J.C.Game 69/270 (K); Erskine Valley, A.C.Beauglehole 5399 (MEL); loc. id., P.S.Green 2337 (K); Potato Hills, S end of Little Slope, J.Pickard 2761 (NSW).</specimens> <note>The closely related D. mollis Parris comes from the North Is., New Zealand, and D. gracilis Copel. from New Caledonia.</note></taxon> <taxon><rank>doubtful</rank><parent>Doodia</parent><seq>1</seq><title> Doubtful records</title> <note>Doodia caudata was recorded from Norfolk Is. by S.F.L.Endlicher in 1833 (Prodr. Fl. Norfolk. 11), but the record has never been repeated or confirmed.</note></taxon> <taxon><rank>division</rank><title>PTERIDOPHYTA AND ALLIES***Jim: vol. 50</title> <contributors><contributor seq="1">D.J.DuPuy</contributor><contributor_note seq="1">(Ch.Is.)</contributor_note><contributor_address seq="1">Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AB, England</contributor_address><contributors><contributor seq="2">A.E.Orchard</contributor><contributor_note seq="2">(M.Is.)</contributor_note><contributor_address seq="2">Australian Biological Resources Study, GPO Box 767, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, 2601</contributor_address></contributors> <description>Vascular herbs, rarely arborescent, often rhizomatous, often with scales. Leaves either bract-like, or with a broad, simple lamina or variously pinnate, usually circinnate in bud, bearing sporangia. Sporangia usually grouped in sori or synangia, or in th e axils or sporophylls grouped into strobili; sori often protected by an indusium. Spores 97 germinate to form a prothallus (gametophyte), which bears the male and female organs, reproducing, after fertilisation, the new plant (sporophyte).</description> <distribution>Ferns and fern allies; a large, worldwide division of land plants. Represented on two offshore island Territories, Christmas Is. and Macquarie Is.</distribution> <note>The Classification proposed by Mary D.Tindale and S.K.Roy in A Cytotaxonomic Survey of the Pteridophyta of Australia, Austral. Syst. Bot., in press, is adopted here.</note> <bibliography>R.E.Holttum, Revised Fl. Malaya II, Ferns Malaya (1954); D.L.Jones & S.C.Clemesha, Austral. Ferns & Fern Allies 2nd edn (1981); R.M. & A.F.Tryon, Ferns & Allied Pl. (1982); D.L.Jones, Encycl. Ferns (1987); S.B.Andrews, Ferns Queensland (1990).</bibliography></taxon> <taxon><rank>family</rank><title>LYCOPODIACEAE</title> <contributors><contributor seq="1">D.J.DuPuy</contributor><contributor_note seq="1">(Ch.Is.)</contributor_note><contributor_address seq="1">Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AB, England</contributor_address><contributors><contributor seq="2">A.E.Orchard</contributor><contributor_note seq="2">(M.Is.)</contributor_note><contributor_address seq="2">Australian Biological Resources Study, GPO Box 767, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, 2601</contributor_address></contributors> <description>Herbs, epiphytic, lithophytic or terrestrial, sometimes with a creeping rhizome, rarely tuberous; roots wiry; aerial stems erect to pendulous, procumbent or climbing, often branched, sometimes dichotomously. Leaves (microphylls) scale-like, with one central vein, spirally arranged or in whorls, spreading or appressed, rarely ±reduced to a rosette. Fertile leaves (sporophylls) sometimes scattered among sterile leaves, but often modified and combined into specialised terminal or lateral cone-like structures (strobili); strobili simple or dichotomously branched. Sporangia solitary, in axils of sporophylls or epiphyllous, reniform, containing many spores, dehiscing through a marginal slit.</description> <common_name>Clubmosses, Tassel Ferns.</common_name> <distribution>A family containing c. 280 species in 4 genera; 18 species in Australia; 1 genus with 1 species on Christmas Is. and 1 species on Macquarie Is. These are the relatively few, modern representatives of a primitive plant group which was abundant during the Carboniferous period, c. 290–365 million years ago.</distribution> <note>Huperzia can be distinguished from Lycopodium L. in having a tuft of roots at the base only, and dichotomously branched shoots.</note> <bibliography>D.L.Jones & S.C.Clemesha, Lycopodiaceae, Austral. Ferns & Fern Allies 2nd edn, 20–27 (1981); F.M.Tryon & A.F.Tryon, Lycopodiaceae, Ferns & Allied Plants 796–812 (1982); D.L.Jones, Lycopodiaceae, Encycl. Ferns 364–368 (1987); B.Ollgaard, A revised classification of the Lycopodiaceae s. lat., Opera Botanica 92: 153–178 (1987); P.J.Brownsey & J.C.Smith-Dodsworth, Lycopodiaceae, New Zealand Ferns and Allied Pl. 19–24 (1989).</bibliography> </taxon> 98 <taxon><rank>gen.</rank><parent>LYCOPODIACEAE</parent><seq>1</seq><ti tle> HUPERZIA</title> <name_info><name>Huperzia</name><author>Bernh.</author><protologue><ref>J. Bot. (Schrader) 1800(2): 126</ref><date>(1801)</date></protologue></name_info><etymology>after Huperz (fl. 1800), the German grower of the specimen which led to the description of this genus (c. 1800)</etymology> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><type>Type: Mart.</type></synonym></synonymy> H. selago (L.) Schrank & <description>Epiphytic or terrestrial herbs; stems pendulous, prostrate, a scending or erect, dichotomously branched; roots appearing as a basal tuft. Sporophylls similar to the leaves, or gradually to abruptly reduced, persistent after sporangium dehiscence. Sporangia axillary, reniform, splitting into 2 equal valves.</description> <distribution>This cosmopolitan genus includes c. 200 species distributed in tropical, temperate, arctic and montane regions, but with greatest diversity in the tropical, evergreen, montane forests.</distribution> <note seq="1">There are two main groups of species: the tropical, epiphytic 'tassel ferns', often found at high altitudes, and the cosmopolitan, terrestrial 'clubmosses', typically occuring in damp, acidic soils.</note> <note seq="2">Spore germination leads to the growth of various types of pr othallus. The epiphytic 'tassel ferns' produce a slender, creeping and branching, colourless prothallus which derives nourishment through a mycorrhizal fungal association, and is attached to the substrate by many minute root hairs. The branches develop independently, and may form several mature plants, or vegetative reproduction by gemmae may also occur at this stage. Eventually archegonia (female) and antheridia (male) form, and motile spermatozoids effect fertilisation to form the mature plant.</note> <bibliography>T.F.Cheeseman, Vasc. Fl. Macquarie Is. 40–41 (1919), as Lycopodium; B.W.Taylor, Fl. Veg. Soils Macquarie Is. 156 (1955), as Lycopodium; H.H.Allan, Lycopodiaceae, Fl. New Zealand 1: 2–7 (1961), as Lycopodium; G.R.Copson, An Annotated Atlas of the Vascular Fora of Macquarie Island, ANARE Res. Notes 18: 52 (1984), as Lycopodium.</bibliography> Leaves ovate; sporophylls much smaller than leaves; stems 20–90 cm long (Ch.Is.) Leaves linear; sporophylls similar to leaves; stems to 6 cm long (M.Is.) </taxon> 1. H. phlegmaria 2. H. australiana <taxon><seq>1</seq><parent>Huperzia</parent><name_info><name>phlegmaria</na me><author>(L.) Rothm.</author><protologue><ref>Fedde Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni. Veg. 54: 62</ref><date>(1944)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><citation>Lycopodium phlegmaria L., Sp. Pl. 2: 1101 (1753).</citation><type>T: Ceylon [Sri Lanka], herb. P.Hermann vol. 4, fol. 5, n. 386; syn: BM . Epithet from the Greek phlegma (mucilage, slime), indicating that the species has mucilaginous sap.</type></synonym></synonymy> <illustrations>Illustrations: D.L.Jones & S.C.Clemesha, Austral. Ferns & Fern Allies 2nd edn, 24, fig. 8B, t. 3 (1981), as Lycopodium; D.L.Jones, Encycl. Ferns 50, 367 (1987), as Lycopodium.</illustrations> <description>Epiphytic herb; stems 20–90 cm long, arching to pendulous, sparsely dichotomously branched; roots at base of aerial stems. Leaves sessile, spreading, ovate, 6–15 mm long, acute, rounded at base, coriaceous. Strobili terminal, slender, dichotomously branched, ±quadrangular, c. 2–10 cm long, 1–1.5 mm diam., sharply differentiated from leafy stems. Sporophylls decussate, broadly ovate, c. 1 mm long, obtuse, green. Sporangia 99 overlapping, axillary, reniform, c. 1.2 mm diam., rounded at apex, splitting around margin into 2 flattened valves, becoming dry and cream-coloured. Spores minute, dark brown.</description> <common_name>Common Tassel Fern.</common_name> <distribution>Christmas Is. Uncommon, confined to the western and central plateau areas (including Aldrich Hill and Jacks Hill), in tall humid rainforest. Usually occurs on the canopy and emergent tree species Planchonella nitida (Sapotaceae) and Syzygium nervosum (Myrtaceae), and situated on large branches, high up in the centre of the crown. Widely distributed from SE Asia through Malesia to Australia (Qld) and Polynesia.</distribution> <specimens>Ch.Is.: middle of the island, 1897, C.W.Andrews (BM); no precise locality, D.A.Powell 221 (K); Jacks Hill, D.A.Powell 301 (K); central area, D.A.Powell 320 (K); Aldrich Hill area, D.J. & B.P.Du Puy CI108 (K).</specimens> <note>This attractive species is more tolerant of dry habitats than many of the other epiphytic species, although large specimens occur mainly in rainforest. It is easy to cultivate if shade and moisture are maintained. A few specimens collected from fallen branches are cultivated on Christmas Is. The clumps can attain a large size, the stems arching outwards in fans, sometimes in several tiers, the strobili formed at the same level in each fan of stems.</note> </taxon> <taxon><seq>2</seq><parent>Huperzia</parent><name_info><name>australiana</nam e><author>(Herter) Holub</author><protologue><ref>Folia Geobot. Phytotax. 20: 70</ref><date>(1985)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><citation>Lycopodium australianum Herter, Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 43 Beibl. 98: 42 (1909); Urostachys australianus (Herter) Herter ex Nessel, Die Barlappgewachse 49 (1939); Lycopodium australianum (Herter) Allan, Fl. New Zealand 1: 3 (1961).</citation><type>T: a large number of collections from Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand; syn: K, P all n.v., fide W.Herter, loc. cit. (1909). Epithet from the Latin australianus (southern), in reference to the geographical occurrence.</type></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Lycopodium varium auct. non R.Br.: T.F.Cheeseman, Vasc. Fl. Macquarie Is. 40 (1919)]</citation></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Lycopodium saururus auct. non Lam.: B.W.Taylor, Fl. Veg. Soils Macquarie Is. 156 (1955)]</citation></synonym></synonymy> <illustrations>Illustrations: B.D.Duncan & G.Isaac, Ferns & Allied Pl. Victoria, Tasmania & South Australia 40, fig. 4.4. (1986), as Lycopodium; P.J.Brownsey & J.C.Smith-Dodsworth, New Zealand Ferns & Allied Pl. pl. 2A, fig. 19 (1989), as Lycopodium.</illustrations> <description>Terrestrial. Stems decumbent to erect, freely branched, to 6 cm tall, clothed with microphylls throughout length, rooting at base. Leaves spirally arranged, crowded , linear, blunt to acute, entire or with a few minute teeth near the tip, 5.5–6 mm long, 1.5 mm wide, thick, subfleshy, decurrent at base. Sporangia yellow, c. 1 mm diam., in axil of undifferentiated microphylls in upper part of stem. Lateral buds (bulbils ) borne in axils of some upper microphylls.</description> <distribution>Macquarie Is. Very rare in the central and southern parts of the island. Extending from Indonesia to Australia (N.S.W., Vic., Tas.), New Zealand (North, South, Stewart and Campbell Islands) and Macquarie Is.</distribution> <specimens>M.Is.: Pyramid Lake, R.D.Seppelt 12038 (HO).</specimens> <note>This taxon was formerly included in the cosmopolitan L. selago L., but is now considered distinct.</note></taxon> 100 <taxon><rank>family</rank><title>SELAGINELLACEAE</title> <contributors><contributor>D.J.Du Puy</contributor><contributor_address>Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AB, England</contributor_address><contributor_note>(Ch.Is.)</contributor_note></contributors > <description>Mostly terrestrial or lithophytic herbs; stems prostrate, suberect or scrambling, branched, sometimes combined into frond-like structures; rhizophores slender, often produced from the nodes. Leaves (microphylls) small, scale-like, entire, toothed or ciliate, 1veined, minutely ligulate, spirally arranged or in 4 rows with the two lower rows larger and spreading (lateral leaves) and the two upper rows reduced (median leaves), producing a flattened shoot. Fertile leaves (sporophylls) combined into compact, terminal, cone-like structures (strobili); strobili either 4-angled, with all sporophylls similar, or bilaterally compressed, with 2 rows of reduced sporophylls. Sporangia solitary, axillary, either producing 1–4 megaspores or many microspores, often present in the same strobilus.</description> <distribution>A predominantly tropical and subtropical family, with a few species extending into arctic regions, probably containing c. 600–700 species, all in the genus Selaginella; 1 prostrate species has been recorded from Christmas Is.</distribution> <note>The genus can be divided into two subgenera on the basis of the leaf arrangement, either spirally arranged as in most temperate species, or in 4 rows with the leaves of 2 distinct sizes, as in most of the tropical species. Most species occur in damp, shaded habitats such as beside streams or waterfalls in forest, the prostrate species often creeping along moist earth banks or rocks, or in rock crevices. The more erect, frondose species also of ten cover earth banks or roadsides in damp forest localities, while the scrambling species occur at forest margins as well as in the forest. Selaginella species also occasionally occur in seasonally dry habitats, some species becoming very dessicated and shrivelled but able to resume growth when humidity is restored.</note> <bibliography>A.H.G.Alston, The genus Selaginella in the Malay Peninsula, Gard. Bull. Straits Settlem. 8: 41–62 (1934); A.H.G.Alston, The Selaginellae of the Malay Islands, 1, Java and the Lesser Sunda Islands, Bull. Jard. Bot. Buitenzorg 13: 432–442 (1935); A.G.H.Alston, The Selaginellae of the Malay Islands, 2, Summatra 14: 175–186 (1937); K.M.Wong, Critical Observations on Peninsular Malaysian Selaginella, Gard. Bull. Singapore 35: 107–135 (1982).</bibliography> </taxon> <taxon><rank>gen.</rank><parent>SELAGINELLACEAE</parent><seq>1</seq><title >SELAGINELLA</title> <name_info><name>Selaginella</name><author>P.Beauv.</author><protologue><r ef>Mag. Encycl. Paris 5: 478</ref><date>(1804)</date></protologue></name_info><etymology>Prodr. 101 (1805), nom. cons.; a diminutive of the Latin selago, originally a Celtic name probably applied to Lycopodium selago (a clubmoss), indicating the similarity in habit, leaves and strobili of those species and the smaller Selaginella selaginoides</etymology> 101 <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><type>Type: S. spinosa P.Beauv., nom. illeg. = S. selaginoides (L.) Link</type></synonym></synonymy></taxon> <taxon><seq>1</seq><parent>Selaginella</parent><name_info><name>alutacia</name ><author>Spring</author><protologue><ref>Bull. Acad. Roy. Sci. Bruxelles 10: 33</ref><date>(1843)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><type>T: Penang, W Malaysia, C.Gaudichaud; holo: probably LG n.v. Epithet from the Latin aluta (a kind of soft, pale-coloured leather, tanned with alum), probably in reference to the colour of the dried plant, a pale yellow.</type></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>S. rupicola Ridl., J. Straits Branch Roy. Asiat. Soc. 45: 248 (1906).</citation><type>T: holes in the rock at South Point, Christmas Is., Oct. 1904, H.N.Ridley; holo: SING n.v.; iso: BM.</type></synonym></synonymy> <description>A prostrate, lithophytic herb; stems creeping, to c. 20 cm long, 2.5 –4 mm wide (including leaves), flattened, branched; rhizophores slender, wiry at branching point s. Leaves dimorphic, ciliolate towards base; lateral leaves spreading, alternate, distichous, broadly ovate, unequal-sided, 1–2 mm long, obtuse; median leaves forward-pointing, on upper side of stem, ovate, 1–1.5 mm long, aristate. Sporophylls overlapping, those in upper 2 rows larger than those beneath, ovate, c. 1 mm long, acute, keeled, ciliolate; strobili c. 3 –6 mm long, compressed.</description> <distribution>Christmas Is., collected only once, on limestone rocks near the shore. Occurs in W Malaysia, Sumatra and Java.</distribution> <specimens>Ch.Is.: rare on rocks on Smith Point, Oct. 1904, H.N.Ridley (BM).</specimens> <note>H.N.Ridley, loc. cit., described his collection as a new species, S. rupicola. He described it as endemic on Christmas Is., but it was subsequently reduced to synonymy within S. alutacia by A.H.G.Alston, Bull. Jard. Bot. Buitenzorg 13: 432–442 (1935) & A.H.G.Alston, Summatra 14: 175–186 (1937).</note></taxon> <taxon><rank>family</rank><title>PSILOTACEAE</title> <contributors><contributor>D.J.Du Puy</contributor><contributor_address>Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AB, England</contributor_address><contributor_note>(Ch.Is.)</contributor_note></contributors > <description>Erect to pendulous, terrestrial, lithophytic or epiphytic herbs; shoots flattened or 3-ridged; rhizome much-branched, creeping, with many minute hairs; roots absent. Aerial shoots dichotomously branched, with occasional, distant, spirally arranged scales; scales minute, lacking venation. Terminal branchlets fertile, with many clusters of 3, fused sporangia (synangia). Synangium 3-lobed, sessile, subtended by a pair of scales, dehiscing through 3 radiating, apical slits. Spores numerous, minute, lacking pigments.< /description> <distribution>A monogeneric family containing 2 species, P. nudum (L.) P.Beauv. and P. complan-atum Sw., both of which occur in Australia, the former also found on Christmas Is. The genus Tmesipteris Bernh. (Tmesipteridaceae) is sometimes included in this family.</distribution> <note seq="1">Psilotum resembles the most primitive land plants, Rhynia Kidst. & W.H.Lang and Psilophyton Dawson, which are only known from fossils. However, it is probably more closely related to true ferns.</note> <note seq="2">The rhizome is host to a mycorrhizal fungus which contributes to the nutrition of the plant in the absence of true roots.</note> 102 <bibliography>R.E.G.Pichi Sermolli, Tentatem Pteridophytorum genera in taxonomicum ordinem redig-endi, Webbia 31: 313–512 (1977); R.A. White, D.W.Bierhorst, P.G.Gensel, D.R.Kaplan, & W.H.Wagner, Jr., Taxonomic and morphological relationships of the Psilotaceae, Brittonia 29: 1–68 (1977); D.L.Jones & S.C.Clemesha, Austral. Ferns & Fern Allies 2nd edn, 27–28 (1981); R.M.Tryon & A.F.Tryon, Ferns & Allied Plants 782–787 (1982); D.L.Jones, Encycl. Ferns 44–47 (1987).</bibliography> </taxon> <taxon><rank>gen.</rank><parent>PSILOTACEAE</parent><seq>1</seq><title>PSIL OTUM</title> <name_info><name>Psilotum</name><author>Sw.</author><protologue><ref>J . Bot. (Schrader) 1800 (2): 109</ref><date>(1801)</date></protologue></name_info><etymology>from the Greek psilotes (nakedness), after the scattered, naked fruit and apparently leafless stems</etymology> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><type>Type: P. triquetrum Sw., nom. illeg. = P. nudum (L.) P.Beauv.</type></synonym></synonymy></taxon> <taxon><seq>1</seq><parent>Psilotum</parent><name_info><name>nudum</name>< author>(L.) P.Beauv.</author><protologue><ref>Prodr. Aetheogam. 112</ref><date>(1805)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><citation>Lycopodium nudum L., Sp. Pl. 2: 1100 (1753).</citation><type>T: without locality, herb. C.Linnaeus 1257.1; syn: LINN. Epithet is the Latin word for naked, descriptive of the apparently leafless stems and unprotected fruits.</type></synonym></synonymy> <illustrations>Illustrations: D.L.Jones & S.C.Clemesha, Austral. Ferns & Fern Allies 2nd edn, 28, fig. 12 (1981); D.L.Jones, Encycl. Ferns 45, 49 (1987).</illustrations> <description>Herb, c. 20–40 cm tall, clump-forming, usually terrestrial; rhizome subterranean, creeping, attached by many fine, rhizoidal hairs. Aerial shoots wiry, usually erect, unbranched in the basal half, repeatedly dichotomously branched immediately below the apical fertile branchlets, strongly 3-ridged, green becoming yellow and eventually brown; scales spirally arranged, distant, to 3 mm long, acute. Synangium subtended by a pairs of scales, sessile, strongly 3-lobed, c. 2–3 mm diam., yellow, dehiscing through 3 radiating slits. Spores numerous, hyaline.</description> <common_name>Skeleton Fork-Fern.</common_name> <distribution>Christmas Is. Common in quarries on Christmas Is., especially in the South Point and Phosphate Hill areas. It grows in full sun on limestone or limestone gravel mixed with poor phosphatic soil, protected only by the limestone pinnacles and the other low ferns which colonise this inhospitable type of habitat. Found rarely as a forest epiphyte in association with large ferns. A widely distributed species in the tropics and subtropics, occurring as far north as Florida, Spain, Hawaii and Japan, and south to New Zealand and Australia (W.A., N.T., Qld, N.S.W., Vic.).</distribution> <specimens>Ch.Is.: no precise locality, D.A.Powell 286 (BO, K, L); SE of Stewart Hill, Field 22 south, D.J. & B.P.Du Puy CI69 (CBG, K).</specimens> <note>The shoots are reputed to have laxative properties.</note></taxon> 103 <taxon><rank>family</rank><title>OPHIOGLOSSACEAE</title> <contributors><contributor>D.J.Du Puy</contributor><contributor_address>Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AB, England</contributor_address><contributor_note>(Ch.Is.)</contributor_note></contributors > <description>Erect or rarely pendulous, terrestrial or epiphytic herbs; rhizome tuberous or creeping. Sterile fronds simple to bipinnate, rarely palmate or dichoto mously branched. Fertile fronds in 2 distinct parts, the fertile portion simple and spike-like, or compound, stalked, arising from stipe or from sterile lamina at or near to point of insertion of stipe. Sporangia in marginal rows along axis or branches of fertile portion of frond, sometimes fused into a synangium through transverse or rarely longitudinal slits.</description> <distribution>A cosmopolitan family of 3 genera with c. 80 species; 1 genus on Christmas Is. Ophioglossum and Botrychium Sw. are the largest genera, with 1 species in the Old World genus Helminthostachys Kaulf.</distribution> <note seq="1">This family of ferns is considered primitive, originating before the Jurassic period (c. 210 million years ago), although there is little fossil evidence.</note> <note seq="2">The roots are thick and lack root hairs, relying on a symbiotic mycorrhizal association for nutrient absorption.</note> <bibliography>R.T.Clausen, A Monograph of the Ophioglossaceae, Mem. Torrey Bot. Club 19: 1–77 (1938); J.H.Wieffering, A preliminary revision of the Indo -Pacific species of Ophio-glossum (Ophioglossaceae), Blumea 12: 321–337 (1964); R.E.Holttum, Fl. Malaya (Ferns) 2nd edn, 2: 38–42 (1968); D.L.Jones & S.C.Clemesha, Austral. Ferns & Fern Allies 2nd edn, 57, 62–63 (1981); R.M.Tryon & F.M.Tryon, Ferns & Allied Pl. 25–39 (1982).</bibliography> </taxon> <taxon><rank>gen.</rank><parent>OPHIOGLOSSACEAE</parent><seq>1</seq><titl e>OPHIOGLOSSUM</title> <name_info><name>Ophioglossum</name><author>L.</author><protologue><ref> Sp. Pl. 2: 1062</ref><date>(1753)</date></protologue></name_info><etymology>Gen. Pl. 5th edn, 486 (1754); from the Greek ophis (a snake) and glossa (a tongue), the fertile spike bearing a fancied resemblance to a snake's tongue</etymology> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><type>Type: O. vulgatum L.</type></synonym></synonymy> <description>Terrestrial herbs with short, erect fronds and bulbous rhizomes, or epiphytes with long, pendulous fronds arising from a creeping, fleshy rhizome; roots thickened, sometimes with vegetative buds. Fronds solitary to several; sterile lamina simple or rarely dichotomously or palmately divided, with reticulate venation. Fertile spike simple or rarely forked, subcylindrical, stalked, arising at or near base of lamina. Sporangia in 2 rows along apical portion of spike, fused into a thick-walled synangium, dehiscing through transverse slits. Spores numerous.</description> <common_name>Adder's Tongue Ferns.</common_name> <distribution>A genus of c. 30 species, with probably 4 species in Australia, 2 of these also on Christmas Is. The variation in this genus is poorly understood, particularly with regard to the terrestrial species, and the genus is in need of a complete taxonomic revision. The epiphytic species are confined to the humid tropics, but the terrestrials are distributed from tropical to polar regions. The latter group are generally found in open situations, in grassland 104 or open woodland, and can be pioneer species on roadsides, quarries and other disturbed land with poor quality soil.</distribution> Large, evergreen, epiphytic herb, eventually forming a larger clump; lamina of frond pendulous, ribbon-shaped, to 200 cm long; fertile portion of frond pendulous, much shorter than sterile lamina 1. O. pendulum Small, deciduous, terrestrial herb, occurring as scattered individuals with 1 –3 fronds; lamina of frond erect, rhombic to ovate, to 3 cm long; fertile portion of frond erect, greatly exceeding sterile lamina </taxon> 2. O. reticulatum <taxon><seq>1</seq><parent>Ophioglossum</parent><name_info><name>pendulum< /name><author>L.</author><protologue><ref>Herb. Amboin. 27</ref><date>(1754)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><type>T: illustration of Scolopendra major, in G.E.Rumphius, Herb. Amboin. 6: t. 37, fig. 3 (1750); fide C.Jarvis, BM, pers. comm. Epithet from the Latin pendere (to hang), descriptive of the pendulous growth habit of this species.</type></synonym></synonymy> <illustrations>Illustration: D.L.Jones, Encyl. Ferns 346 (1987).</illustrations> <description>Large, clump-forming, epiphytic herb; rhizome creeping, with 1–several fronds. Fronds pendulous, glabrous, persistent; sterile lamina strap-shaped, to 200 cm long, c. 2–4 cm wide, strap-shaped, sparingly dichotomously branched, undulating, leathery, greygreen, glossy, narrowing basally into a fleshy stipe; fertile spike inserted towards base o f lamina, 10–35 cm long, entire or forked, the 2 rows of fused sporangia each c. 2.5 cm diam. Spores pale yellow.</description> <common_name>Ribbon Fern.</common_name> <distribution>Christmas Is. Uncommon in tall primary rainforest on the plateau, and in more open forest on the upper terraces around Aldrich Hill; also reported from the lower terraces near Sydneys Dale, where surface water maintains a high humidity. It is a handsome species, forming large clumps of undulating, ribbon-like fronds, usually hanging from beneath large specimens of Asplenium (on Christmas Is.) and Platycerium ferns. Widespread in the Old World humid tropics, occurring from Madagascar, India and Sri Lanka through Indo-China, and Malesia to Australia (Qld, N.S.W.) and the Pacific islands.</distribution> <specimens>Ch.Is.: southern terraces, D.A.Powell 427 (K); on Planchonella nitida, D.A.Powell 556 (K); 1.5 km SW of Aldrich Hill, on Pongamia, D.J. & B.P.Du Puy CI83 (K).</specimens> <note>The specimens from Christmas Is. occasionally have forked fronds, which R.E.Holttum, Fl. Malaya (Ferns) 2nd edn, 2: 41 (1968), noted is usually found in specimens from more exposed situations.</note> </taxon> 105 <taxon><seq>2</seq><parent>Ophioglossum</parent><name_info><name>reticulatum </name><author>L.</author><protologue><ref>Sp. Pl. 2: 1063</ref><date>(1753)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><type>T: illustration by C.Plumier, Filic. Amer. t. 164 (1705); lecto: P, fide G.R.Proctor in R.A.Howard, Fl. Less. Antilles 43 (1977). Epithet from the Latin reticulum (a net), descriptive of the net-like venation in the sterile lamina of the frond.</type></synonym></synonymy></taxon> <taxon><seq>1</seq><parent>Ophioglossum</parent><name_info><name>reticulatum </name><author>f. complicatum (Miq.) Wieff.</author><protologue><ref>Blumea 12: 330, fig. 1A</ref><date>(1964)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><citation>O. moluccanum f. complicatum Miq., Ann. Mus. Bot. Lugduno-Batavum 4: 290 (1868).</citation><type>T: from Megamendong, Java, Zippelius; n.v. Epithet from the Latin complicatus (folded on itself), in reference to the fronds.</type></synonym></synonymy> <illustrations>Illustrations: J.H.Wieffering, Blumea 12: 325, fig. 1a (1964); D.L.Jones, Encycl. Ferns 58 (1987), as O. petiolatum.</illustrations> <description>Small, terrestrial herb 4–15 cm tall; rhizome tuberous, subterranean, with 1–3 fronds. Fronds erect, glabrous, deciduous; sterile lamina, rhombic to ovate, 1 –3 cm long, 0.5–1.2 cm wide, cuneate at base, obtuse or apiculate, entire, somewhat fleshy, mid -green, narrowing to a slender stipe; fertile spike arising from the lamina base, 2–13 cm long, entire, slender, the 2 rows of fused sporangia each 0.5–1 mm diam. Spores pale yellow.</description> <common_name>Adders Tongue Fern.</common_name> <image kind="fig"><image_text>Fig. 96C.</image_text><image_url>v*****_f*****.jpg</image_url></image> <distribution>Christmas Is. Occurs in a single locality in an old mine field to the south of Wharton Hill. The plants usually grow in bare soil between other ferns ( Psilotum nudum, Davallia denticulata and Nephrolepis hirsutula), in poor soil mainly of limestone and phosphate gravel. This species is probably pantropical, but because of its close resemblance to several other species, the exact distribution is not known.</distribution> <specimens>Ch.Is.: old quarry at South Point, D.A.Powell 285 (K); Field 17, S of Wharton Hill, D.J. & B.P.Du Puy CI81 (CBG, K).</specimens> <note seq="1">The nomenclature followed here is that of J.H.Wieffering ( Blumea 12: 321–337 (1964)), who did not compare her taxa to those occurring in Australia, but gave the distribution of f. complicatum as from India and Japan through Indo-China, the Philippines and Malesia through New Guinea to New Caledonia. This group of small, terrestrial species is inadequately known, and its taxonomy should be completely revised.</note> <note seq="2">The whole plant is edible either raw as a salad, or cooked as a vegetable, although it is not abundant enough on Christmas Is. to consider harvesting.</no te></taxon> <taxon><rank>family</rank><title>HYMENOPHYLLACEAE</title> <contributors><contributor seq="1">D.J.DuPuy</contributor><contributor_note seq="1">(Ch.Is.)</contributor_note><contributor_address seq="1">Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AB, England</contributor_address><contributors><contributor seq="2">A.E.Orchard</contributor><contributor_note 106 seq="2">(M.Is.)</contributor_note><contributor_address seq="2">Australian Biological Resources Study, GPO Box 767, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, 2601</contributor_address></contributors> <description>Epiphytic or terrestrial ferns of humid places; rhizome slender, wide -creeping or short and suberect. Fronds diverse; lamina membranous, 1 cell thick, without stomata. Sori marginal at vein endings; sporangia on short or elongated receptacles enclosed in tubular or 2-lobed indusia, developing basipetally, sessile, with oblique or horizontal annulus.</description> <common_name>Filmy Ferns.</common_name> <distribution>A family with a variable number (2–34) of genera according to the authority followed, but containing about 600 species, most abundant in the wet tropics; 1 species of Gonocormus on Christmas Is. and 1 species of Hymenophyllum on Macquarie Is.</distribution> KEY TO GENERA Indusium 2-lipped; fronds 10–20 mm long; epiphytic (M.Is.) 1. HYMENOPHYLLUM Indusium tubular, entire; fronds 2.5–7 mm long; terrestrial (Ch.Is.) 2. GONOCORMUS </taxon> <taxon><rank>gen.</rank><parent>HYMENOPHYLLACEAE</parent><seq>1</seq>< title>1. HYMENOPHYLLUM</title> <name_info><name>Hymenophyllum</name><author>Sm.</author><protologue><r ef>Mem. Acad. Roy. Soc. (Turin) 5: 418, t. 9(8)</ref><date>(1793)</date></protologue></name_info><etymology>from the greek hymen (membranous) and phyllon (a leaf), in reference to the semitransparent fronds</etymology> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><type>Type: Sm.</type></synonym></synonymy> H. tunbrigense (L.) <description>Small epiphytes, rarely terrestrial or on rocks; rh izomes elongate, thin, wiry, usually freely branching, scabrous. Fronds entire or variously dissected, to multipinnate; stipe and rachis wiry, naked or winged; lamina or pinnae thin, semitransparent with free venation. Sori terminating segments of pinnae; indusium two-lipped, cup-shaped, enclosing the sporangia which are borne on a short stalk-like receptacle.</description> <common_name>Filmy Ferns.</common_name> <distribution>An almost cosmopolitan genus of about 300 species, with a major centre of diversity in the northern Andes of S America; c. 30 species in Australia; 1 species on Macquarie Is.</distribution> <note>While species of this group are relatively easily recognised, their generic delimitations are less settled. Some authors prefer to recognise the many segregate genera erected by E.B.Copeland, Philipp. J. Sci. 67: 1–110 (1938), while others treat these as subgenera of Hymenophyllum sens. lat.</note> 107 <bibliography>R.J.Hnatiuk, Hymenophyllum peltatum (Poiret) Desvaux, A new Macquarie Island record. New Zealand J. Bot. 10: 701 (1972); G.R.Copson, An Annotated Atlas of the Vascular Flora of Macquarie Island, ANARE Res. Notes 18: 24 (1984); B.D.Duncan & G.Isaac, Hymenophyllaceae, Ferns & Allied Pl. Victoria, Tasmania & South Australia 81–89 (1986); P.J.Brownsey & J.C.Smith-Dodsworth, Hymenophyllaceae, New Zealand Ferns & Allied Pl. 67–78 (1989).</bibliography> </taxon> <taxon><seq>1</seq><parent>Hymenophyllum</parent><name_info><name>falklandi cum</name><author>Baker in W.J.Hooker & J.G.Baker</author><protologue><ref>Syn. Fil. 2nd edn, 68</ref><date>(1874)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><type>T: Falkland Islands, Apr.–Sept. 1842, J.D.Hooker & C.Abbott; n.v. Named for the locality of the type collection.</type></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[H. peltatum auct. non (Poir.) Desv.: R.J.Hnatiuk, New Zealand. J. Bot. 10: 701 (1972)]</citation></synonym></synonymy> <illustrations>Illustration: D.M.Moore, Fl. Tierra del Fuego fig. 13 (1983).</illustrations> <description>Terrestrial; rhizome, slender, creeping, freely branched, naked, deep brown; fronds widely spaced, 2–4 cm long. Stipe almost half length of frond, slender, unwinged, dark brown; rachis similar, very narrowly winged in upper part only. Fronds with lamina bipinnate, broadly oblong, 10–20 mm long, 5–7 mm wide, membranous; pinnae about 10–15, asymetrically divided with secondary pinnae on apical side only; secondary pinnae ob long, truncate, sharply serrate. Sori near frond tip, solitary, inserted on a short segment near base of pinna, brown when mature, 0.8 mm long, 0.65–0.7 mm wide; indusium deeply 2-lipped, slightly wider than segment, elliptic, ovate.</description> <distribution>Macquarie Is. Restricted to small populations on the feldmark in the north and central parts of the island. Found from southern S America (western Argentina and Chile) to Falkland, South Georgia, Juan Fernandez and Macquarie Islands.</distribution> <specimens>M.Is.: 2 km SW of Green Gorge Hut, R.D.Seppelt 12312 (AD, HO, MEL); 700 m E of Mt Gwynn, R.D.Seppelt 12467 (HO); Boot Hill, R.D.Seppelt 12760 (HO).</specimens> <note>The plant on Macquarie Is. has been treated in the past as H. peltatum. However, it differs from typical H. peltatum in the small frond size, sori solitary on the pinnae, secondary pinnae only 1 or 2 (commonly 3–5 in H. peltatum) and in the restriction of the wing on the rachis to the section between the ultimate 2 or 3 pinnae (in H. peltatum the narrow wing usually extends the full length of the rachis but not onto the stipe). D.M.Moore (1983) recognised plants identical to the Macquarie Is. ones in Fuegia and distinguished them from H. peltatum by the characters above. B.S.Parris & J.P.Croxall, New Zealand J. Bot. 10: 259–266 (1972), discussed dwarfed forms of H. peltatum in N.Z. pointing out that the number of sori per pinna could be reduced to 1, as could the secondary pinnae, but that the wing on the rachis was maintained. The same situation appears to apply in dwarfed H. peltatum from high exposed localities in Tas. Clearly, the H. peltatum complex needs re-examination throughout its wide range (Europe, S America, Australia, New Zealand and the subantarctic), but in the meantime, the Macquarie Is. plants seem best segregated as H. falklandicum.</note> </taxon> 108 <taxon><rank>gen.</rank><parent>HYMENOPHYLLACEAE</parent><seq>2</seq>< title>2. GONOCORMUS</title> <name_info><name>Gonocormus</name><author>Bosch</author><protologue><ref >Hymen. Javan. 7– 12</ref><date>(1861)</date></protologue></name_info><etymology>Verslagen Meded. Afd. Kon. Natuurk. Akad. Wetensch. 11: 321 (1861); from the Greek gonos (progeny) and kormos (Latin cormus - a tree trunk, stalk) in reference to the proliferation in this genus by the development of secondary fronds and new plantlets on the stipes</etymology> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><type>Type: Prantl</type></synonym></synonymy> G. prolifer (Blume) <description>Minute, epiphytic or lithophytic, filmy ferns; rhizome filiform, creeping, much branched; scales absent; fronds scattered along rhizome. Stipe filiform, wiry, sometim es with buds which develop into secondary fronds or plantlets. Fronds ±erect, fan -shaped and deeply palmately lobed, to pinnately lobed, glabrous, very thin, dark green; lobes narrow, 1 -veined, without false or anastomosing veins. Sori situated at lobe apices; indusium tubular, flared, the frond lamina longitudinally winged, with a minute, mucronate receptacle which is eventually exserted from the apical aperture; paraphyses absent.</description> <distribution>A genus of up to 5 species, at least 2 of which are generally recognised as distinct. Even these two, G. prolifer (Blume) Prantl and G. saxifragoides (C.Presl) Bosch, are not easily separable, although most specimens can be referred to one or the other. They are widespread throughout the range of the genus from Africa, Madagascar, Sri Lanka, India, S China and Japan through Indo-China and Malesia to Australia and the Pacific islands, where they occur in damp, shaded situations on rocks or trees. G. saxifragoides had been recorded from Christmas Is.</distribution> <note>The genus is sometimes treated as a section of Trichomanes L. but the nomenclature followed here is that of J.P.Croxall, Austral. J. Bot. 23: 509–547 (1975), which is based on the series of genera originally proposed by E.B.Copeland, Philippine J. Sci. 67: 1–110 (1938).</note> <bibliography>E.B.Copeland, Genera Hymenophyllacearum, Philippine J. Sci. 67: 1– 110, t. 1–11 (1938); W.A.Sledge, The Hymenophyllaceae of Ceylon, J. Linn. Soc., Bot. 60: 289–109 (1968), as Trichomanes; J.P.Croxall, The Hymenophyllaceae of Queensland, Austral. J. Bot. 23: 509–547 (1975).</bibliography> </taxon> <taxon><seq>1</seq><parent>Gonocormus</parent><name_info><name>saxifragoides </name><author>(C.Presl) Bosch</author><protologue><ref>Hymen. Javan. 9</ref><date>(1861)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><citation>Trichomanes saxifragoides C.Presl, Hymen. 16, 39 (1843).</citation><type>T: Ilocos, Luzon, the Philippines, H.Cuming 256; holo: K. Named after the genus Saxifraga L., some species of which have leaves lobed in similar manner to the fronds of this species.</type></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Trichomanes parvulum auct. non Poir. (1808): C.W.Andrews, Monogr. Christmas Is. 194 (1900)]</citation></synonym></synonymy> <illustrations>Illustration: D.L.Jones & S.C.Clemesha, Austral. Ferns & Fern Allies 2nd edn, 44, fig. 20J (1981).</illustrations> <description>A minute, epiphytic fern; rhizome thread-like, creeping, much-branched; fronds c. 3–10 mm apart. Stipe c. 2–7 mm long, very slender. Fronds fan-shaped, c. 2.5–7 mm long, c. 4–11 mm wide, deeply palmately lobed, the lobes dichotomously branched or lobed, membranous, dark green, occasionally with a secondary lamina arising from a bud at the frond base. Sori c. 1 mm long, at lobe apices; indusium tubular with a dilated apex, the laminae of the frond lobes forming narrow, longitudinal wings; receptacle even tually protruding from the apical pore as a minute mucro.</description> 109 <distribution>Christmas Is. Recorded on trees on the plateau by both C.W.Andrews, Monogr. Christmas Is. 194 (1900), and H.N.Ridley, J. Straits Branch Roy. Asiat. Soc. 45: 245 (1906), but it has not been collected since then. Possibly overlooked due to its small size. A widely distrib-uted, Old World species, occurring from eastern Africa, Madagascar, Sri Lanka, India, southern China and Japan, S through Indo -China, the Philippines, and Malesia to northern Australia (Qld, N.S.W.), the SW Pacific islands (Micronesia and Polynesia) and Hawaii.</distribution> <specimens>Ch.Is.: trees on plateau, Feb. 1898, C.W.Andrews (BM); Flying Fish Cove, 4 May 1898, C.W.Andrews (BM).</specimens> <note>This species is also widely, but incorrectly known as Gonocormus minutus (Blume) Bosch (Trichomanes minutus Blume).</note></taxon> <taxon><rank>family</rank><title>ADIANTACEAE</title> <contributors><contributor>D.J.Du Puy</contributor><contributor_address>Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AB, England</contributor_address><contributor_note>(Ch.Is.)</contributor_note></contributors > <description>Terrestrial ferns; rhizome erect or creeping, with scales and/or hairs. Stipe dark-coloured, often shining. Fronds simple or 1- to 5-pinnate or -pedate; veins free or anastomosing, without free veinlets. Sori marginal, without indusia, often protected by a reflexed flap of the laminal margin, terminal on veins or spreading along them; paraphyses present.</description> <distribution>A cosmopolitan family containing a variable number of genera according to the classification followed. Sometimes treated as monogeneric, but here including Pityrogramma, which occurs on Christmas Is.</distribution> </taxon> <taxon><rank>gen.</rank><parent>ADIANTACEAE</parent><seq>1</seq><title>PIT YROGRAMMA</title> <name_info><name>Pityrogramma</name><author>Link</author><protologue><re f>Handbuch 3: 19</ref><date>(1833)</date></protologue></name_info><etymology>from the Greek pityron (bran, chaff) and gramma (an inscription), probably referring to the powdery indumentum and naked sporangia on the undersurface of the frond, which leaves an outline of the frond when pressed on to a surface</etymology> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><type>Type: Link</type></synonym></synonymy> P. chrysophylla (Sw.) <description>Terrestrial ferns; rhizome erect, usually with a crown of fronds; scales narrow, entire, present on rhizome and stipe bases. Stipe usually grooved above, dark-coloured; vascular strands usually 2. Fronds 1–3-pinnatisect, the pinnae becoming gradually smaller towards the apex and finally reduced to lobes, usually floury beneath, rarely pubescent or glabrous; rachis grooved; lobes narrowly decurrent; veins all free. Sporangia on veins beneath, sometimes ±covering undersurface of frond; indusia absent; paraphyses absent.</description> <distribution>A genus of c. 16 species, from tropical America, Africa and Madagascar. A few species are widely naturalised throughout the tropics, including 1 species on Christmas Is. They occur on disturbed ground such as landslides, gravel bars in streams, rocks and 110 cliffs and in open woodland and grassland. They prefer open, damp situations, but some species will tolerate short, dry periods.</distribution> <bibliography>R.Tryon, Taxonomic Fern Notes, 2. Pityrogramma (including Trismeria) and Anogramma, Contr. Gray Herb. 189: 52–76 (1962); G.Panigrahi, The genus Pityrogramma (Hemionitidaceae) in Asia, Kew Bull. 30: 657–667 (1975); R.E.Holttum, Fl. Malaya (Ferns) 2nd edn, 2: 592–594 (1968); D.L.Jones & S.C. Clemesha, Austral. Ferns & Fern Allies 2nd edn, 213 (1981); R.M.Tryon & A.F.Tryon, Ferns & Allied Pl. 216–223 (1982).</bibliography> </taxon> <taxon><seq>1</seq><name_symbol>*</name_symbol><parent>Pityrogramma</paren t><name_info><name>calomelanos</name><author>(L.) Link</author><protologue><ref>Handbuch 3: 20</ref><date>(1833)</date></protologue></name_info> </taxon> <taxon><seq>1</seq><rank>var.</rank><name_symbol>*</name_symbol><parent>Pit yrogramma calomelanos</parent><author_autonym>(L.) Link</author_autonym><name_info><name>calomelanos</name></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><citation>Acrostichum calomelanos L., Sp. Pl. 2: 1072 (1753).</citation><type>T: America, Herb. C.Linnaeus 1245.19; syn: LINN. Epithet from the Greek kalos (beautiful) and melanos (black, dark), descriptive of the black stipe and rachis which contrast with the white undersurface of the frond.</type></synonym></synonymy> <illustrations>Illustration: D.L.Jones, Encycl. Ferns 383 (1987).</illustrations> <description>Terrestrial fern; rhizome short, erect; scales 3–4 mm long, narrow, brown; fronds in a crown. Stipe usually 3–20 cm long, slender, wiry, grooved, dark purple-brown, glossy. Fronds erect, usually bipinnatisect, c. 6–30 cm long, densely white-floury beneath; pinnae longest in basal half of frond, to 10 cm long, deeply pinnatisect, sometimes with a few shortly stalked pinnules at base, somewhat coriaceous, shortly stalked; lobes incised almost to rachis, with veins free and much-branched, ovate to oblong, acute, serrulate, decurrent on rachis forming a narrow wing. Sporangia covering undersurface of pinnae; indusium absent.</description> <common_name>Silver Fern.</common_name> <distribution>Christmas Is. Introduced, now fairly common, mainly on the plateau, in clearings and along roadsides in the primary forest, and in mixed areas where it has some shade provided by rock pinnacles and other plants. Originally from tropical America, this species has become commonly naturalised throughout the tropics, including Christmas Is. and Australia (Qld).</distribution> <specimens>Ch.Is.: Phosphate Hill quarries, C.W.Andrews 205 (BM); Rocky Point, D.A.Powell 111 (K); quarry, D.A.Powell 510 (K); roadside clearing, E of Stewart Hill, D.J. & B.P.Du Puy C1 32 (CBG, K).</specimens> <note seq="1">This species was already present on Christmas Is. at the end of the 19th century, when it was collected by C.W.Andrews, although it was subsequently omitted from his account of the vegetation.</note> <note seq="2">The finely divided, lacy fronds, white-floury beneath, and the dark, glossy stipes make this an attractive species. It is readily cultivated if given sufficient light, and is not overwatered.</note> <note seq="3">Var. calomelanos is distinguished by its silvery white to pale yellow, resinous indumentum. In specimens larger than those observed on Christmas Is., the fronds can reach up to 60 cm long and are more divided, becoming bipinnate, with lobed pinnules.</note></taxon> 111 <taxon><rank>family</rank><title>VITTARIACEAE</title> <contributors><contributor>D.J.Du Puy</contributor><contributor_address>Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AB, England</contributor_address><contributor_note>(Ch.Is.)</contributor_note></contributors > <description>Plants epiphytic. Rhizome usually short, creeping, with narrow, latticed scales. Fronds simple, entire, linear-ovate to obovate; veins reticulate, forming elongate areolae, without free veinlets. Sori elongate, along veins, usually submarginal or marginal; exindusiate, but often in a groove, when young protected by paraphyses.</description> <distribution>A tropical Is.</distribution> </taxon> family of 7–9 genera; 1 genus on Christmas <taxon><rank>gen.</rank><parent>VITTARIACEAE</parent><seq>1</seq><title>VI TTARIA</title> <name_info><name>Vittaria</name><author>Sm.</author><protologue><ref>M em. Acad. Sci. Turin 5: 413, t. 9</ref><date>(1753)</date></protologue></name_info><etymology>from the Latin vitta (a ribbon, ceremonial headband), referring to the narrow, ribbon-like leaves</etymology> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><type>Type: Sm.</type></synonym></synonymy> V. lineata (L.) <description>Epiphytic, lithophytic or rarely terrestrial ferns; rhizome creeping, densely scaly; roots densely hairy; scales latticed, with a hair-like apex. Stipe usually narrowly winged, with 2 vascular strands. Fronds usually pendulous, ribbon -like, linear to narrowly elliptic, entire, ±coriaceous; venation indistinct, consisting of a midvein with oblique lateral veins which unite into 2 marginal veins. Sori linear, in 2 longitudinal, marginal or submarginal grooves; paraphyses abundant, usually club-shaped.</description> <distribution>A genus of c. 50–70 species, mainly tropical but extending into warmtemperate regions; 1 species on Christmas Is. They mainly occur in damp, shaded habitats. The similarity in frond shape, sori and habit make the species difficult to distinguish, and a full taxonomic revision is necessary.</distribution> <bibliography>R.C.Ching, The studies of Chinese ferns, 6. Genus Vittaria of China and Sikkim-Himalaya, Sinensia 1: 175–192 (1931); R.E.Holttum, Fl. Malaya (Ferns) 2nd edn, 2: 607–614 (1968); D.L.Jones & S.C.Clemesha, Austral. Ferns & Fern Allies 2nd edn, 211–212 (1981); R.M.Tryon & A.F.Tryon, Ferns & Allied Pl. 362–368 (1982).</bibliography> </taxon> <taxon><seq>1</seq><parent>Vittaria</parent><name_info><name>elongata</name>< author>Sw.</author><protologue><ref>Syn. Fil. 109, 302</ref><date>(1806)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><type>T: India, J.P.Rottler; n.v. Epithet is the Latin for long or extended, descriptive of the long, narrow fronds.</type></synonym></synonymy> <illustrations>Illustrations: D.L.Jones & S.C.Clemesha, Austral. Ferns & Fern Allies 2nd edn, t. 33 (1981); D.L.Jones, Encycl. Ferns 384 (1987).</illustrations> <description>Epiphytic, clump-forming fern; rhizome with several scattered fronds, and ginger-felty roots; scales dense, c. 5–7 mm long, very slender, latticed, the apex hair-like, very dark brown. Stipe wings gradually broadening into the narrow frond. Fronds pendulous, 112 linear, 25–90 cm long, 0.5–1 cm wide, usually dry and lacerated at apex, glabrous, thinly coriaceous, dark geen, glossy; midvein only apparent. Sori linear, enclosed in narrow grooves extending along margins of frond; paraphyses club-shaped.</description> <common_name>Tape Fern.</common_name> <distribution>Christmas Is. Common in the rainforest, mainly on the plateau and upper terraces, usually growing from the root mass of other epiphytic ferns such as Asplenium nidus, and may form large, attractive clumps of narrow, pendulous fronds. A widely distributed species in the Old World tropics and subtropics, from Africa, India and S China, through Indo-China, the Philippines, and Malesia to Australia (Qld, N.S.W.) and the Pacific islands (Polynesia).</distribution> <specimens>Ch.Is.: no precise locality, C.W.Andrews 163 (K); plateau, H.N.Ridley 160 (K); Headridge Hill, B.Molesworth Allen P9 (K); in forest at edge of National Park, central plateau, R.Shivas 958 (PERTH); S of Field 22 South, on fallen branch in tall rainforest, D.J. & B.P.Du Puy CI6 (CBG, K).</specimens> <bibliography>H.N.Ridley, J. Straits Branch Roy. Asiat. Soc. 45: 247 (1906), noted that the variant on Christmas Is. is particularly large. Its fronds are very long and narrow, resembling those of C. zosterifolium Bory, see R.C.Ching, op. cit. 176, 179. However, R.E.Holttum, op. cit. 614, indicated that the variation present in Malaya, which includes variants similar to those on Christmas Is., does not allow the separation of distinct species.</bibliography></taxon> <taxon><rank>family</rank><title>PTERIDACEAE</title> <contributors><contributor>D.J.Du Puy</contributor><contributor_address>Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AB, England</contributor_address><contributor_note>(Ch.Is.)</contributor_note></contributors > <description>Terrestrial ferns. Rhizome erect or creeping, scaly. Fronds usually uniform, 1 to 4-pinnate; veins free or less frequently anastomosing. Sori often marginal, without indusia or with a false indusium forming a scarious leaf margin; paraphyses often present.</description> <distribution>A worldwide family variously interpreted as containing from 3 to 7 genera; 1 genus on Christmas Is. The family is closely related to the Adiantaceae.</distribution> </taxon> <taxon><rank>gen.</rank><parent>PTERIDACEAE</parent><seq>1</seq><title>PTE RIS</title> <name_info><name>Pteris</name><author>L.</author><protologue><ref>Sp. Pl. 2: 1073</ref><date>(1753)</date></protologue></name_info><etymology> Gen. Pl. 5th edn, 484 (1754); from the Greek pteron (a wing, feather) which may have been used descriptively, but which was also the Greek name for certain types of fern</etymology> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><type>Type: P. longifolia L.</type></synonym></synonymy> <description>Terrestrial ferns; rhizome erect or creeping, often with an apical tuft of fronds; scales various, always present on rhizome and stipe base. Stipe grooved above; vascular strand U-shaped in section. Fronds pinnate to tripinnate, occasionally tripartite; basal p air of pinnae tending to be branched, or with more complex division than the others; apical pinna 113 subequal to the lateral ones; rachis and costae grooved; veins all free, or some anastomosing and forming areolae, connected by marginal veins above the sori in fertile frond. Sori linear, submarginal; indusium formed from the thin, reflexed margin of the lamina; paraphyses often numerous.</description> <common_name>Brakes.</common_name> <distribution>A large genus containing c. 250 species. They are mainly tro pical and subtropical, with a few species occurring in temperate regions; 2 species of Pteris on Christmas Is. They bear little resemblance to each other, but can be recognised as members of this genus by their linear sori on the margins of the fronds, covered by an indusium which is a flap attached at the margin of the fronds and opening inwards. This is an important genus in commercial fern cultivation.</distribution> <bibliography>R.E.Holttum, Fl. Malaya (Ferns) 2nd edn, 2: 393–409 (1968); D.L.Jones & S.C.Clemesha, Austral. Ferns & Fern Allies 2nd edn, 192–197 (1981); R.M.Tryon & A.F.Tryon, Ferns & Allied Pl. 332–341 (1982).</bibliography> Fronds pinnate; pinnae simple; stipe usually 2–15 cm long 1. P. vittata Fronds divided into 5–9 subsimilar laminae, each lamina bipinnatisect; pinnae pinnatisect; stipe usually 50–150 cm long </taxon> 2. P. tripartita <taxon><seq>1</seq><parent>Pteris</parent><name_info><name>vittata</name><aut hor>L.</author><protologue><ref>Sp. Pl. 2: 1074</ref><date>(1753)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><type>T: China, P.Osbeck, herb. C.Linnaeus 1246.3; lecto: LINN, fide R.Tryon, Contr. Gray Herb. 194: 191 (1964). Epithet from the Latin vitta (a ribbon, ceremonial headband), alluding to the narrow, linear pinnae.</type></synonym></synonymy> <illustrations>Illustrations: D.L.Jones & S.C.Clemesha, Austral. Ferns & Fern Allies 2nd edn, 196, fig. 269 (1981); D.L.Jones, Encycl. Ferns 273 (1987).</illustrations> <description>Terrestrial or lithophytic fern; rhizome shortly creeping; scales numerous, conspicuous, c. 5 mm long, narrow, ginger-brown; fronds appearing to radiate from a crown. Stipe usually c. 2–15 cm long, grooved, scaly towards base. Fronds arching, very variable in size, c. 20–80 cm long, pinnate; terminal pinna resembling the others or sometimes rather longer, glabrous; pinnae numerous, closely spaced, longest towards frond apex, becoming much reduced at base, narrow, linear, 1–25 cm long, gradually tapering, finely serrate in sterile zones, cordate and sometimes oblique at base, coriaceous, dark green, sessile. Sori linear, marginal; indusial flap recurved from margin.</description> <common_name>Ladder Brake, Chinese Brake.</common_name> <distribution>Christmas Is. Common in exposed situations in disturbed sites such as old quarries where the soil is poor or replaced by limestone rubble or bare rock, and on road cuttings. A common, tropical to warm-temperate, Old World species, distributed through Malesia to Australia, and sometimes naturalised in the New World.</distribution> <specimens>Ch.Is.: no precise locality, D.A.Powell 293 (K); roadside cutting on Irvine Hill Road, D.J. & B.P.Du Puy CI5 (CBG, K); old mine site, 0.5 km N of airport, R.Shivas 938 (PERTH).</specimens> <note>Very variable in size, with specimens producing fertile fronds in particularly harsh situations. It is cultivated as an ornamental garden or pot-plant, requiring some limestone in the compost, but is otherwise easily grown.</note> </taxon> 114 <taxon><seq>2</seq><parent>Pteris</parent><name_info><name>tripartita</name><a uthor>Sw.</author><protologue><ref>J. Bot. (Schrader) 1800</ref><date>(2):</date></protologue></name_info>67 (1801) <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><type>T: Java, C.P.Thunberg, herb. Thunberg 24968, 24969; n.v. Epithet from the Latin tri- (three-) and partire (to divide), in reference to the frond which has 2 basal branches, each of those side-branches dividing again, giving a 5-branched frond (in large fronds often further divided).</type></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[P. quadriaurita auct. non Retz. (1791): H.N.Ridley, J. Straits Branch Roy. Asiat. Soc. 45: 245 (1906)]</citation></synonym></synonymy> <illustrations>Illustrations: D.L.Jones & S.C.Clemesha, Austral. Ferns & Ferns Allies 2nd edn, 195, fig. 267 (1981); D.L.Jones, Encycl. Ferns 273 (1987).</illustrations> <description>Large, terrestrial fern; rhizome short, erect, stout; scales small, pale brown; fronds; 1–few. Stipe erect, very long, often 50–150 cm, robust, grooved, with scattered basal scales. Fronds very large, ±circular in outline, saucer-shaped, c. 1 m diam., glabrous, divided into 5–9 subsimilar, radiating laminas, each lamina bipinnatisect, the central lamina largest; pinnae to 15 cm long, pinnatisect, herbaceous, shortly stalked, the veinlets forming elongated areolae along the midvein; lobes slightly falcate, rounded, serru late, separated by rounded sinuses. Sori linear, marginal, broken both at lobe apices and sinuses; indusial flap recurved from margin.</description> <common_name>Giant Brake.</common_name> <distribution>Christmas Is. H.N.Ridley (loc. cit.) recorded that this species had recently appeared around Settlement and the Waterfall Road. It is now quite frequent over much of the plateau and upper terraces, where it occurs in damp, semi -shaded positions, most frequently along tracks and drill-lines through the primary rainforest. A variable, Old World species, distributed from tropical Africa, Madagascar and SE Asia through Indo -China and Malesia to Australia (Qld) and the Pacific islands, and occasionally naturalised in the New World.</distribution> <specimens>Ch.Is.: no precise locality, H.N.Ridley 178 (K); Harrison Springs, Ross Hill terrace, D.A.Powell 125 (K).</specimens> <note seq="1">The tendency for the fronds in this genus to have a branched lower pinna is taken to an extreme in this species. The side portions of the frond are often only slightly smaller than the central portion. These subequal frond portions radiate from near the centre of the frond, giving a large, dish-shaped structure.</note> <note seq="2">This handsome species is a frequent coloniser of disturbed sites in the tropics. In poor, dry conditions, smaller specimens than those described above can be fertile.</note></taxon> <taxon><rank>family</rank><title>POLYPODIACEAE</title> <contributors><contributor>D.J.Du Puy</contributor><contributor_address>Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AB, England</contributor_address><contributor_note>(Ch.Is.)</contributor_note></contributors > <description>Epiphytic or sometimes terrestrial ferns; rhizome creeping, rarely erect, wi th peltate, latticed or non-latticed scales; stipes usually articulate on rhizome. Fronds simple, lobed, dichotomously branched or pinnate, uniform or dimorphic, often clothed with peltate or stellate hairs; veins usually reticulate with free, included veinlets. Sori superficial or somewhat immersed, spread over lamina surface or sometimes confluent; paraphyses often present; without indusia.</description> 115 <distribution>A family of about 1000 species, found throughout the world, but mostly tropical and subtropical; 3 genera on Christmas Is.</distribution> KEY TO GENERA 1 Fronds mostly pinnately lobed; sori large, c. 2.5–4 mm diam., mostly in single rows on either side of midveins of lobes 1: Fronds simple; sori smaller, not arranged as above 2 Fronds thick, leathery, c. 5–20 cm long, covered beneath by minute, stellate hairs; fertile fronds covered beneath by confluent sori in apical portion 2: Fronds not thick and leathery, more than 20 cm long, glabrous; sori not as above 2. MICROSORUM 3. PYRROSIA 3 Stipe 10–50 cm long; fronds dimorphic, the fertile fronds linear, acrostichoid, with sporangia densely covering undersurface 1. LEPTOCHILUS 3: Stipe very short, often ±absent; fronds not dimorphic, the sori scattered in apical half 2. MICROSORUM </taxon> <taxon><rank>gen.</rank><parent>POLYPODIACEAE/parent><seq>1</seq><title>1. LEPTOCHILUS</title> <name_info><name>Leptochilus</name><author>Kaulf.</author><protologue><ref >Enum. Filic. 147</ref><date>(1824)</date></protologue></name_info><etymology>from the Greek leptus (narrow, slender) and chilus (a lip), perhaps after the shape of the fertile frond which resembles a pair of narrow lips</etymology> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><type>Type: Kaulf.</type></synonym></synonymy> L. axillaris (Cav.) <description>Terrestrial or lithophytic ferns, sometimes climbing; rhizome short - to longcreeping; scales on rhizome and stipe base, small, minutely latticed, peltate; fronds closely to distantly spaced along rhizome. Stipe slightly grooved above; vascular strand broadly Ushaped in section. Fronds simple, entire, articulate on rhizome, dimorphic. Sterile frond oblong to elliptic, the base narrowly decurrent on stipe; midvein and lateral veins pinnate, with anastomosing veinlets between, forming areolae. Fertile frond reduced, very narrow; sporangia acrostichoid, densely covering lamina beneath; indusium and paraphyses absent.</description> <distribution>A genus of c. 12 species distributed from SE Asia, through Malesia, to the western Pacific islands; 1 species on Christmas Is. They are usually forest-dwelling species, favouring damp, shaded habitats, sometimes climbing on tree trunks.</distribution> <bibliography>R.E.Holttum, Fl. Malaya (Ferns) 2nd edn, 2: 163–166 (1968).</bibliography></taxon> 116 <taxon><seq>1</seq><parent>Leptochilus</parent><name_info><name>decurrens</na me><author>Blume</author><protologue><ref>Enum. Pl. Javae 206</ref><date>(1828)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><type>T: Java, C.L.Blume; n.v. Epithet from the Latin decurrere (to run down), in reference to the frond base which is decurrent on the stipe.</type></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>Acrostichum listeri Baker, J. Linn. Soc., Bot. 25: 361 (1890); Gymnopteris listeri (Baker) Ridl., J. Straits Branch Roy. Asiat. Soc. 45: 248 (1906); Leptochilus listeri (Baker) C.Chr., Ind. Fil. 386 (1906).</citation><type>T: Christmas Is., Sept.–Oct. 1887, J.J.Lister; holo: K.</type></synonym></synonymy> <illustrations>Illustrations: R.E.Holttum, Fl. Malaya (Ferns) 2nd edn, 2: 165, fig, 74 (1968); D.L.Jones, Encycl. of Ferns 241 (1987).</illustrations> <description>A terrestrial fern, sometimes forming small clumps; rhizome creeping; scales ovate, c. 3 mm long, minutely latticed, dark brown; fronds closely spaced near apex. Fronds dimorphic, the fertile fronds much narrower and held above the sterile ones. Sterile frond: stipe c. 10–25 cm long; lamina suberect, narrowly ovate to narrowly elliptic, c. 20 –40 cm long, rarely forked, acute, undulating, gradually tapering into a narrow wing on stipe, glabrous, glossy; veins pinnate, distinct, with anastomosing veinlets between. Fertile frond: stipe erect, c. 20–50 cm long; lamina erect, very narrow, c. 10–20 cm long, 6–9 mm wide, narrowly decurrent, covered by sporangia beneath, except midvein and narrow margins.</description> <image kind="fig"><image_text>Fig. 96A.</image_text><image_url>v*****_f*****.jpg</image_url></image> <distribution>Christmas Is. A terrestrial species sometimes growing on basaltic rock, but usually in deep, phosphate-rich soil. It is mostly confined to shaded positions in tall rainforest on the plateau, often growing with Bolbitis heteroclita and Corymborkis veratrifolia. A tropical and subtropical SE Asian species, distributed from India and SW China through Indo-China to Malesia as far as Sulawesi, preferring regions with some climatic seasonality.</distribution> <specimens>Ch.Is.: no precise locality, C.W.Andrews 89 (K); Phosphate Hill, H.N.Ridley 176 (K); sheltered valley close to Aldrich Hill, D.A.Powell 457 (K); plateau, gully floor, line 256, D.J. & B.P.Du Puy CI18 (CBG, K); plateau, NE slope of Murray Hill, D.J.& B.P.Du Puy CI87 (CBG, K).</specimens> <note seq="1">Leptochilus decurrens is often found with Bolbitis heteroclita, which it closely resembles in habit, both having narrow, fertile fronds with ac rostichoid sporangia. It can be distinguished by its entire fronds. Despite this close resemblance, the 2 genera are currently classified in separate families due to differences in the rhizome anatomy, venation pattern, and the presence of articulated stipes.</note> <note seq="2">Leptochilus listeri, described as a species of Acrostichum, was considered endemic on Christmas Is. (Baker, loc. cit.). It was compared to A. variabile Hook., now considered a synonym of L. decurrens, in the type description. There appears to be no character to justify the separation of the two taxa. A. variabile Hook. was described from Ceylon and the name has not been applied to Christmas Is. material.</note> </taxon> 117 <taxon><rank>gen.</rank><parent>POLYPODIACEAE</parent><seq>2</seq><title>2 . MICROSORUM</title> <name_info><name>Microsorum</name><author>Link</author><protologue><ref> Hort. Berol. 2: 110</ref><date>(1833)</date></protologue></name_info><etymology>from the Greek mikros (small), indicating the small sori of some species</etymology> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><type>Type: Link</type></synonym></synonymy> M. irregulare <description>Epiphytic, lithophytic or terrestrial ferns; rhizome short - to long-creeping; scales latticed, peltate, scattered mainly on rhizome; fronds scattered along rhizome. Stipe grooved above, sometimes ±absent; vascular strands various. Fronds erect to pendulous, simple to deeply pinnatisect, ±glabrous, sometimes coriaceous, articul ate on rhizome; veinlets anastomosing, forming many areolae, with included, free veinlets. Sori small to large, circular, irregularly distributed or in rows on either side of midvein of lamina lobes; indusium absent; paraphyses sometimes present.</description> <distribution>An Old World genus of c. 45–60 species, distributed from Africa and the Indian Oceanic islands through SE Asia and Malesia to Australia and the Pacific islands; 2 species on Christmas Is. They occur in various habitats, from damp, shaded rocks near streams to open sites exposed to full sun.</distribution> <note>The genus is sometimes split into 2 genera, those with large sori and pinnatifid fronds being removed to the genus Phymatodes C.Presl. Most species can be easily placed in 1 of these 2 groups, but there is also an almost complete range of intermediate species. Many species are very variable and a full taxonomic revision of the genus is required.</note> <bibliography>R.E.Holttum, Fl. Malaya (Ferns) 2nd edn, 2: 170–180, 188– 193 (1968) p.p. as Phymatodes; D.L.Jones & S.C.Clemesha, Austral. Ferns & Fern Allies 2nd edn, 169–172 (1981).</bibliography> Fronds entire; sori small, c. 1 mm diam., irregularly scattered in upper half of frond 1. M. punctatum Fronds mostly deeply pinnatisect; sori large, c. 2.5–4 mm diam., mostly in rows on either side of midveins of lobes </taxon> 2. M. scolopendria <taxon><seq>1</seq><parent>Microsorum</parent><name_info><name>punctatum</n ame><author>(L.) Copel.</author><protologue><ref>Univ. Calif. Publ. Bot. 16: 111</ref><date>(1929)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><citation>Acrostichum punctatum L., Sp. Pl. 2nd edn, 2: 1524 (1763).</citation><type>T: China, J.Fothergill; n.v., apparently lost. Epithet from the Latin punctatus (spotted), in reference to the small, dot-like sori scattered over the apical half of the frond.</type></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>Polypodium irioides Poir. in, J.B.A.P.Lamarck, Encycl. 5: 513 (1804); Pleopeltis irioides (Poir.) T.Moore, Ind. Fil. 1: 78 (1857).</citation><type>T: Mauritius, Herb. J.B.A.P.Lamarck; holo: P, microfiche seen.</type></synonym></synonymy> <illustrations>Illustrations: D.L.Jones & S.C.Clemesha, Austral. Ferns & Fern Allies 2nd edn, 170, fig. 227 (1981); D.L.Jones, Encycl. Ferns 243 (1987).</illustrations> <description>A robust, epiphytic or occasionally lithophytic fern, forming large clumps; rhizome creeping, glaucous; scales ovate, c. 2 mm long, peltate, acute, latticed, dark brown; fronds closely spaced. Fronds subsessile, articulate on short spurs from rhizome, erect to arching, linear-elliptic, entire, abruptly acute, c. 60–120 cm long, c. 6–11 cm wide, tapering to a broad or narrow wing at frond base, glabrous, somewhat coriaceous, pale green; venation pinnate, with many anastomosing veinlets, the veins not easily observed in living specimens. Sori small, to 1.5 mm diam., irregularly and often densely scattered in apical half of frond.</description> 118 <distribution>Christmas Is. Abundant as an epiphyte in the rainforest on the plateau and upper terraces, and on limestone pinnacles and rocks in open but humid sites. Occasionally in open situations among other ferns in old quarries. A common and widely distributed species in the lowland tropics and subtropics, from Africa, the Indian Oceanic islands, India and southern China, through Indo-China, the Philippines and Malesia to Australia (Qld) and the Pacific islands.</distribution> <specimens>Ch.Is.: common everywhere, C.W.Andrews 108 (K); plateau, H.N.Ridley 194 (K); on Planchonella nitida, D.A.Powell 290 (K); Headridge Hill, below the wireless station, B.Molesworth Allen P7 (K); track to Grants Well, SW of Hanitch Hill, D.J. & B.P.Du Puy CI7 (CBG, K).</specimens> <note>This species resembles Asplenium nidus L., but it forms untidy clumps rather than the characteristic rosettes of the Bird's Nest Fern. The root ball of A. nidus sometimes forms a suitably moisture-retentive substrate on which this species can flourish.</note> </taxon> <taxon><seq>2</seq><parent>Microsorum</parent><name_info><name>scolopendria< /name><author>(Burm.f.) Copel.</author><protologue><ref>Univ. Calif. Publ. Bot. 16: 112</ref><date>(1929)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><citation>Polypodium scolopendria Burm.f., Fl. Ind. 232 (1768).</citation><type>T: India; n.v. Epithet from the Greek skolopendria (millipede), a name inspired by the appearance of the creeping rhizome.</type></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>Polypodium phymatodes L., Mant. Pl. 306 (1771); Pleopeltis phymatodes (L.) T.Moore, Ind. Fil. 1: 78 (1857).</citation><type>T: Herb. C.Linnaeus 1251.6; syn: LINN.</type></synonym></synonymy> <illustrations>Illustrations: R.E.Holttum, Fl. Malaya (Ferns) 2nd edn, 2: 192, fig. 94 (1968), as Phymatodes scolopendria (Burm.f.) Ching; D.L.Jones & S.C.Clemesha, Austral. Ferns & Fern Allies 2nd edn, 171, fig. 229 (1981).</illustrations> <description>A terrestrial or lithophytic fern, forming spreading patches; rhizome creeping, glaucous; scales ovate, c. 4 mm long, peltate, acuminate, latticed, dark brown; fronds scattered, c. 2–5 cm apart. Stipe usually 15–45 cm long, articulate on a short spur from rhizome. Fronds stiffly erect, usually 25–50 cm long, pinnatisect, with 1–9 pairs of lobes, occasionally entire, glabrous, coriaceous, often yellowish; lobes narrowly oblong, acuminate, to 19 cm long, separated by broad sinuses; veinlets anastomosing. Sori large, circular, c. 2.5 – 4 mm diam., slightly sunken, usually in single rows on either side of midveins of lo bes, sometimes in double rows in reduced fronds or very large fronds.</description> <distribution>Christmas Is. Terrestrial or lithophytic, growing on limestone rock and poor soil in road cuttings, old quarries and other disturbed sites, often in full sun. Has become much more common following clearance of forest for phosphate mining. Distributed from Africa to SE Asia, including India, southern China and Indo-China, the Philippines and through Malesia to Australia (Qld, ?N.T., W.A.) and the Pacific islands (Polynesia).</distribution> <specimens>Ch.Is.: rocks above Flying Fish Cove, H.N.Ridley 162 (K); Phosphate Hill, old quarry, D.A.Powell 126 (K); no precise locality, D.A.Powell 292 (K); old mine site, 0.5 km N of airport, R.Shivas 932 (PERTH); cutting on Irvine Hill Rd., D.J. & B.P.Du Puy CI4 (CBG, K).</specimens> <note>This species is very variable in its frond morphology, and even very small fronds which are few-lobed or entire can be fertile. Specimens with 2 rows of sori on either side of midveins of the lobes are often placed in M. nigrescens (Blume) J.Sm.. Most specimens on Christmas Is. have single rows of sori, but occasionally the larger specimens, or specimens with reduced fronds, may bear double rows of sori. The specimens are otherwise identical, and it is not possible to recognise 2 distinct taxa on the basis of this character.</note> </taxon> 119 <taxon><rank>gen.</rank><parent>POLYPODIACEAE</parent><seq>3</seq><title>3 . PYRROSIA</title> <name_info><name>Pyrrosia</name><author>Mirb.</author><protologue><ref>Hist. Nat. Veg. 3: 471, 5: 91</ref><date>(1802)</date></protologue></name_info><etymology>from the Greek pyros (fire), perhaps from the burnt appearance of the fertile portions of the fronds</etymology> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><type>Type: Mirb.</type></synonym></synonymy> P. chinensis <description>Epiphytic, lithophytic or terrestrial ferns; rhizome usually long -creeping, densely scaly; scales peltate or basally attached, sometimes ciliate, ±confined to the rhizome; fronds scattered. Stipe not deeply grooved, sometimes very short; vascular strands several. Fronds erect to pendulous, usually simple and entire, minutely stellate-hairy beneath, coriaceous, articulate on short spurs from rhizome, sometimes dimorphic, the fertile fronds or portions of fronds narrow and elongated; venation obscure, anastomosing. Sori circular, in 1–several rows on either side of midvein, usually confined to apical half of frond, sometimes confluent; indusium absent; paraphyses present.</description> <distribution>The 51 species in this Old World genus are distributed from Africa and Madagascar throughout SE Asia including India, China, Japan and Indo -China, the Philippines and Malesia to Australia, the SW Pacific islands and New Zealand; 1 variable species on Christmas Is. The greatest diversity is in SE Asia. They mainly occur in regions with high rainfall and humidity but also tolerate seasonally dry climates.</distribution> <bibliography>R.E.Holttum, Fl. Malaya (Ferns) 2nd edn, 2: 141–149 (1968); D.L.Jones & S.C.Clemesha, Austral. Ferns & Fern Allies 2nd edn, 197–199 (1981); P.Hovenkamp, A monograph of the genus Pyrrosia (1986).</bibliography> </taxon> <taxon><seq>1</seq><parent>Pyrrosia</parent><name_info><name>lanceolata</name ><author>(L.) Farw.</author><protologue><ref>Amer. Midl. Nat. 12: 245</ref><date>(1930)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><citation>Acrostichum lanceolatum L., Sp. Pl. 2: 1067 (1753).</citation><type>T: Sri Lanka, Herb. P.Hermann vol. 1, fol. 3, no. 380; syn: BM. Epithet from the Latin lanceolatus (lanceolate, but which in the sense of C.Linnaeus meant narrowly elliptic), in reference to the shape of the fronds.</type></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>Polypodium adnascens Sw., Syn. Fil. 25, 222, t. 2, fig. 2 (1806); Niphobolus adnascens (Sw.) Kaulf., Enum. Filic. 124 (1824).</citation><type>T: India, J.P.Rottler s.n.; n.v.</type></synonym></synonymy> <illustrations>Illustrations: R.E.Holttum, Fl. Malaya (Ferns) 2nd edn, 2: 145, fig. 60 (1968), as Pyrrosia adnascens (Sw.) Ching; D.L.Jones & S.C.Clemesha, Austral. Ferns & Fern Allies 2nd edn, 198, fig. 272, t. 30 (1981).</illustrations> <description>Epiphytic fern, often forming extensive colonies; rhizome slender, wiry, creeping, scaly; scales appressed, narrowly ovate, c. 3 mm long, peltate, acuminate, ciliate, becoming chocolate-brown; fronds scattered, c. 1.5–3.5 cm apart. Stipe c. 2–4 cm long, stellate-hairy. Fronds suberect to pendulous, linear to elliptic, c. 5–20 cm long, obtuse, acute or acuminate, entire, decurrent, the margins often incurved, minutely stellate -hairy beneath, coriaceous, dimorphic, the fertile fronds longer and narrower than the sterile fronds, usually fertile only in apical half. Sori circular, densely covering fertile portion of frond, the outer sporangia maturing first, with a central cluster of paraphyses.</description> <distribution>Christmas Is. Abundant high in the canopy of trees in the plateau rainforest, on small trees in scrubby forest, even in exposed situations such as the edge of the inland cliffs. The creeping and much-branched rhizome forms a tangle of intercrossing shoots, allowing the fern to cover entire branches. Common throughout Malesia and widely distributed in Africa, Madagascar and the Mascarenes, and from India and southern China through Indo - 120 China, the Philippines islands.</distribution> and Malesia to Australia (Qld) and the SW Pacific <specimens>Ch.Is.: no precise locality, D.A.Powell 226 (K); Phosphate Hill, B.Molesworth Allen P2 (K); Grants Well, R.Shivas 809 (PERTH); walk to West White Beach, R.Shivas 923 & 924 (PERTH); fallen branch on drill line near track to Grants Well, D.J. & B.P.Du Puy CI12 (K).</specimens> <note>The fronds are used for dressing cuts in some of the Pacific islands.</note></taxon> <taxon><rank>family</rank><title>GRAMMITIDACEAE</title> <contributors><contributor>A.E.Orchard</contributor><contributor_address>Australian Biological Resources Study, GPO Box 767, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, 2601</contributor_address><contributor_note>(M.Is.)</contributor_note>< /contributors> <description>Relatively small epiphytic or rock-dwelling ferns; rhizomes erect or tufted or creeping, scaly. Fronds entire or pinnate; petiole continuous (not articulate); lamina with long stiff hairs, or glabrous. Sori round or oval, unprotected; sporangium with a 1-rowed stalk; spores tetrahedral–globose and green (containing chlorophyll). Gametophyte at first filamentous, later elongate or cordate.</description> <distribution>A family of about 6–10 genera and 200–400 species, the majority of which belong to Grammitis. The family is distributed from S America to New Zealand, Australia and Malaysia, with a few species extending to subantarctic regions.; 1 genus on Macquarie Is.</distribution> <note>Some authors treat this Polypodiaceae.</note> </taxon> group as a tribe of the cosmopolitan family <taxon><rank>gen.</rank><parent>GRAMMITIDACEAE</parent><seq>1</seq><title >GRAMMITIS</title> <name_info><name>Grammitis</name><author>Sw.</author><protologue><ref>J. Bot. (Schrader) 1800 (2): 3, 17</ref><date>(1801)</date></protologue></name_info><etymology>from the Greek gramme (a line), in reference to the sori which are often elongate or coalescing</etymology> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><type>Type: Sw.</type></synonym></synonymy> G. marginella (Sw.) <description>Fronds entire, linear to spathulate, glabrous or hairy. Sori naked, round, oval or elongate, often oblique, in a single row on either side of midrib, remote from margins.</description> <common_name>Finger Ferns.</common_name> <distribution>A genus of 150–400 species, distributed as for the family, in humid forests, shrubland and herbfields; about 10 species in Australia, 1 of which extends to Macquarie Is.</distribution> <bibliography>T.F.Cheeseman, Vasc. Fl. Macquarie Is. 40 (1919), as Polypodium; B.W.Taylor, Fl. Veg. Soils Macquarie Is. 155–156 (1955), as Polypodium; B.S.Parris, A revision of the genus Grammitis Sw. (Filicales: Grammitidaceae) in Australia, Bot. J. Linn. Soc. 70: 21–43 (1975); B.S.Parris, An analysis of the Grammitis poeppigiana – G. magellanica complex in the 121 South Atlantic and south Indian Oceans, Fern Gaz. 12: 165–168 (1981); G.R.Copson, An Annotated Atlas of the Vascular Flora of Macquarie Island, ANARE Res. Notes 18: 26 (1984).</bibliography> </taxon> <taxon><seq>1</seq><parent>Grammitis</parent><name_info><name>poeppigiana</n ame><author>(Mett.) Pic.-Serm.</author><protologue><ref>Webbia 32: 461</ref><date>(1978)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><citation>Polypodium poeppigiana Mett., Polyp. 37 (1857).</citation><type>T: Cape of Good Hope, E.F.Poeppig; B n.v., fide B.S.Parris & D.R.Given, New Zealand J. Bot. 14: 90 (1976).</type></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>G. nana Brack., U.S. Expl. Exped., Filic. 16: 1 (1854), non Fée (1853).</citation><type>T: Orange Harbour, Tierra del Fuego, C.Wilkes; holo: US n.v.; iso: K n.v., fide B.S.Parris & D.R.Given, loc. cit.</type></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>G. australis var. nana Franch., Mission Sci. Cap. Horn 5 Bot.: 397 (1889); Polypodium billardierei f. nana (Franch.) Skottsb., Kongl. Svenska. Vetenskapsakad. Handl. 56: 167 (1916); Grammitis billardierei f. nana (Franch.) de la Sota, Opera Lilloana 5: 208 (1960).</citation><type>T: Packsaddle Anchorage, Tierra del Fuego, Hahn; holo: P n.v., fide B.S.Parris & D.R.Given, op. cit. 91.</type></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>G. armstrongii Tindale, Contr. New South Wales Natl. Herb. 3(2): 88 (1961).</citation><type>T: Thredbo River Gorge, Kosciusko, N.S.W., Jan. 1951, L.A.S.Johnson & E.F.Constable NSW P3086; holo: NSW n.v; iso: US n.v.</type></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>G. kerguelensis Tardieu, Adansonia 2: 114 (1962) T: Kerguelen Is., Butte aux Fougères Molloy, Cours; holo: P n.v., fide B.S.Parris & D.R.Given, op. cit. 91.</citation></synonym></synonymy> <illustrations>Illustrations: B.S.Parris, Bot. J. Linn. Soc. 70: 27 fig. 1A, B (1975), as G. armstrongii; B.S.Parris & D.R.Given, New Zealand J. Bot. 14: 90, figs 1. 2a & b. (1976), as G. armstrongii; B.D.Duncan & G.Isaac, Ferns & Allied Pl. Victoria, Tasmania & S. Australia 148, fig. 14.1 (1986).</illustrations> <description>Terrestrial, mat-forming; rhizome prostrate, slender, creeping, freely branched, densely scaly; scales papery, brown, ovate, 2.5–4 mm long, 1–1.5 mm wide; fronds crowded. Lamina entire, spathulate to narrowly oblanceolate, 7–28 mm long, 1.5–4 mm wide, but usually 10–16 mm long and 2–4 mm wide, tapering to base, rounded at tip, coriaceous, glabrous or young fronds with sparse, red-brown, septate hairs on margins and midrib; veins indistinct. Sori 1 or 2 towards tip of frond, tending to coalesce in to 1 more or less circular mass. Spores c. 0.05 mm diam., greenish.</description> <distribution>Macquarie Is. Widespread but rare in rock crevices and in cushions of Azorella and bryophytes. Extends from southern S America (Chile and Argentina) to Falkland, South Georgia, Tristan da Cunha, Gough, Kerguelen, Marion, Crozet and Macquarie Islands, South Africa, south-eastern Australia (including Tas.) and New Zealand (North, South, Stewart, Campbell and Auckland Islands).</distribution> <specimens>M.Is.: E side of plateau towards Nuggets, 23 Jan. 1949, N.R.Laird (HO); 500 m NW of Island Lake, R.D.Seppelt 11903 (HO); western slopes of Mt Ifould, R.D.Seppelt 12577 (HO); 500 m E of Mt Gwynn, R.D.Seppelt 12600 (HO, MEL); Boot Hill, NE side of summit, R.D.Seppelt 12725 (HO).</specimens> <note>Although most specimens from the island are very uniform morphologically, one aberrant record is known (Bauer Bay, R.D.Seppelt 11701 (HO)). This consists of soft thin sterile fronds, most of which are longer than normal, more or less linear, some acute, and many with sparse red-brown multi-cellular hairs on the margins and faces of the lamina. These are believed to be young shade forms, probably from deep bryophyte cushions, which have retained a juvenile form and indumentum.</note></taxon> 122 <taxon><rank>family</rank><title>THELYPTERIDACEAE</title> <contributors><contributor>D.J.Du Puy</contributor><contributor_address>Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AB, England</contributor_address><contributor_note>(Ch.Is.)</contributor_note></contributors > <description>Terrestrial, rarely epiphytic ferns; rhizome erect (sometimes forming a trunk), creeping or scandent, scaly towards apex. Fronds usually in a crown, sometimes scatt ered along rhizome, often coarsely textured, simple to bipinnate but usually pinnate with lobed pinnae; lateral pinnae usually subequal; basal lateral pinnae sometimes greatly reduced; apical pinna triangular and deeply lobed near base. Fertile frond usual ly similar to sterile ones. Sori on the veins, usually ±circular, indusiate or not; indusium reniform when present, attached at one side.</description> <distribution>A large family of almost 1000 species in c. 30 genera; 2 genera on Christmas Is. Distributed throughout the tropics, especially in wetter forest ares, with a few species in temperate regions.</distribution> KEY TO GENERA Fronds with c. 6–10 pairs of greatly reduced basal pinnae; pinnae lobed 1/3– 1/2 way to midvein, with several pairs of veinlets anastomosing below pinna lobe sinuses; sori on undersurface of lamina of pinna lobes, not submarginal 1. PNEUMATOPTERIS Fronds lacking a series of greatly reduced basal pinnae; pinnae lobed 2/3–3/4 towards midvein, with a single pair of veinlets anastomosing below pinna lobe sinuses; sori submarginal 2. AMPHINEURON </taxon> <taxon><rank>gen.</rank><parent>THELYPTERIDACEAE</parent><seq>1</seq><tit le>1. PNEUMATOPTERIS</title> <name_info><name>Pneumatopteris</name><author>Nakai</author><protologue>< ref>Bot. Mag. Tokyo 47: 179</ref><date>(1933)</date></protologue></name_info><etymology>from the Greek pneuma (air, breath) and pteris (a fern), in reference to the breathing pores (aerophores) at the base of the pinnae</etymology> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><type>Type: Nakai</type></synonym></synonymy> P. callosa (Blume) <description>Terrestrial ferns; rhizome short, erect or decumbent, rarely creeping; scales on stipe base and rhizome broad, thin, with a few marginal hairs; fronds in a crown. Stipe usually grooved; vascular strands 2 at base, linear in T.S. Fronds usually large, arching, not articulate, pinnate, the pinnae becoming gradually reduced towards the apex, and usually abruptly so towards base, often with swollen aerophores on rachis at base of pinna; pinnae lobed; veins occasionally all free, usually the basal veins of the pinna lobes anastomosing. Sori small, circular, in paired rows in the pinna lobes; indusium reniform, thin; paraphyses absent.</description> 123 <distribution>A genus of c. 80 species, distributed throughout the Old World tropics, from Africa to the Pacific islands, Australia and New Zealand, with greatest diversity in Malesia; 1 species on Christmas Is. They mainly occur near streams in tropical fores t, and a few species are confined to limestone.</distribution> <note>This genus has previously been included in Cyclosorus Link.</note> <bibliography>R.E.Holttum, Fl. Malaya (Ferns) 2nd edn, 2: 255–285 (1968), as Cyclosorus; D.L.Jones & S.C.Clemesha, Austral. Ferns & Fern Allies 2nd edn, 185–186 (1981); R.E.Holttum, Fl. Males. ser. II, 1: 414–436 (1982).</bibliography> </taxon> <taxon><seq>1</seq><parent>Pneumatopteris</parent><name_info><name>truncata</ name><author>(Poir.) Holttum</author><protologue><ref>Blumea 21: 314</ref><date>(1973)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><citation>Polypodium truncatum Poir. in J.B.A.P. de Lamarck, Encycl. 5: 534 (1804).</citation><type>T: Brazil, coll. unknown; n.v. Epithet from the Latin truncatus (cut short, lopped), in reference to the pinna lobe apex.</type></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Nephrodium truncatum auct. non. (Gaudich.) C.W.Andrews, Monogr. Christmas Is. 195 (1900)]</citation></synonym></synonymy> C.Presl: <illustrations>Illustration: R.E.Holttum, Fl. Males. ser. II, 1: 416, fig. 11 D–F (1982).</illustrations> <description>A large, terrestrial fern; rhizome erect; scales broad, c. 5 mm long, thin; fronds in a crown. Stipe 10–30 mm long, grooved above. Fronds c. 80–120 cm long, bipinnatifid, with aerophores at base of pinnae, the terminal pinna similar to lower pinnae, the frond base with c. 6–10 pairs of greatly reduced pinnae; pinnae numerous, sessile, to c. 15–25 cm long, acuminate, shallowly lobed 1/3–1/2 way to midvein, obtuse at base, ±glabrous; lobes truncate, slightly toothed; several pairs of veinlets anastomosing below pinna lobe sinuses. Sori circular, in rows either side of midvein of pinna lobes; indusium small, reniform.</description> <distribution>Christmas Is., collected by C.W.Andrews and H.N.Ridley in the region of Waterfall, and may occur elsewhere on the island where there is water near the surface. Occurs from India and southern China, through Indo-China and western Malesia, to the Philippines, the Lesser Sunda Islands and the Mariana Islands.</distribution> <specimens>Ch.Is.: no precise locality, C.W.Andrews s.n. (K); freshwater stream, Waterfall, H.N.Ridley 179 (K).</specimens> <note>The young fronds are covered in mucilage, probably giving protection from dessication. The aerophores protrude through this, allowing the developing frond to respire.</note> </taxon> <taxon><rank>gen.</rank><parent>THELYPTERIDACEAE</parent><seq>2</seq><tit le>2. AMPHINEURON</title> <name_info><name>Amphineuron</name><author>Holttum</author><protologue>< ref>Blumea 19: 45</ref><date>(1971)</date></protologue></name_info><etymology>from the Greek amphi (of two kinds or places) and neuron (a nerve, vein), in reference to the varied venation of the fronds</etymology> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><type>Type: Holttum</type></synonym></synonymy> A. opulentum (Kaulf.) <description>Terrestrial ferns; rhizome erect to creeping; scales narrow, setiferous, on the young fronds and stipe base; fronds in a crown or scattered along rhizome. Stipe grooved; vascular strands 2 at base. Fronds often large, arching, not articulate, pinnate, the pinnae becoming gradually reduced towards apex, the basal pinnae only slighty reduced, with 124 elliptic aerophores on rachis at base of pinna; pinnae lobed, usually glandular -hairy. Veins all free, or the basal veins of the pinna lobes anastomosing or connivent at si nuses. Sori small, circular, in paired rows in pinna lobes; indusium reniform, glandular or hairy.</description> <distribution>The c. 12 species in this genus are native to the Old World tropics, from eastern Africa and SE Asia, through Malesia to Australia (Qld) and the Pacific islands; 1 species on Christmas Is. They occur in rather open sites, particularly near streams and often in areas with seasonal climate, sometimes preferring limestone.</distribution> <bibliography>R.E.Holttum, Fl. Malaya (Ferns) 2nd edn, 2: 255–285 (1968), as Cyclosorus; D.L.Jones & S.C.Clemesha, Austral. Ferns & Fern Allies 2nd edn, 74–76 (1981); R.E.Holttum, Fl. Males. ser. II, 1: 544–550 (1982).</bibliography> </taxon> <taxon><seq>1</seq><name_symbol>*</name_symbol><parent>Amphineuron</parent ><name_info><name>opulentum</name><author>(Kaulf.) Holttum</author><protologue><ref>Blumea 19: 45</ref><date>(1971)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><citation>Aspidium opulentum Kaulf., Enum. Filic. 238 (1824).</citation><type>T: Guam, A. von Chamisso; n.v. Epithet from the Latin opulentus (sumptuous, wealthy), perhaps in reference to the lush growth habit of this fern.</type></synonym></synonymy> <illustrations>Illustrations: D.L.Jones & S.C.Clemesha, Austral. Ferns & Fern Allies 2nd edn, 75, fig. 54 (1981); R.E.Holttum, Fl. Males. ser. II, 1: 546, fig. 19 B & C (1982).</illustrations> <description>A large, terrestrial fern; rhizome creeping; scales c. 10 mm long, narrow; fronds closely spaced. Stipe c. 35–60 cm long, grooved above. Fronds c. 50–80 cm long, bipinnatisect, with aerophores at base of pinna, the terminal pinna subsimilar to the lower pinnae, the lowest pinnae sometimes reduced; pinnae numerous, sessile or short-stalked (to c. 1 mm), to c. 25–30 cm long, acuminate, deeply lobed 2/3–3/4 towards midvein, obtuse at base, shortly hairy especially on veins, with minute glands on the veins beneath; lobes acute, curved, ±entire, with tiny yellow particles on undersurface; 1 pair of veinlets anastomosing below pinna lobe sinuses. Sori circular, submarginal, mostly confined to pinna lobes; indusium small, reniform.</description> <distribution>Christmas Is. It appears to be a recent introduction, occurring along tracks and in the more open areas of rainforest on the plateau. A widely distributed species in the Old World, occurring from eastern Africa, the Seychelles and southern India, through Indo China, Malesia to Australia (Qld) and the Pacific islands (to Tahiti and Marquesas). It has become naturalised in a few New World localities.</distribution> <specimens>Ch.Is.: track side, N of Aldrich Hill, D.J. & B.P.Du Puy CI21 (CBG, K).</specimens> <note>This species closely resembles Pneumatopteris truncata (Poir.) Holttum, but can be distinguished by its creeping rhizome, lack of a series of highly reduced pinnae at the frond base, more deeply lobed pinnae, acute pinna lobes, hairy veins, fewer anastomosing veinlets, and its submarginal sori which are mostly confined to the pinna lobes. On Christmas Is. occurs mainly alongside Nephrolepis biserrata which it resembles in habit, but has deeply lobed rather than entire pinnae.</note></taxon> 125 <taxon><rank>family</rank><title>DENNSTAEDTIACEAE</title> <contributors><contributor>D.J.Du Puy</contributor><contributor_address>Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AB, England</contributor_address><contributor_note>(Ch.Is.)</contributor_note></contributors > <description>Rhizomes long-creeping, underground, bearing hairs; stipes often distant. Fronds large, much-divided, usually with multicellular hairs on the rachis and usually the lamina; veins free or anastomosing. Sori marginal or submarginal, terminal on veins , indusiate; indusium continuous from margin of lamina or pouch shaped, or sorus protected by a 'cup' formed from the fusion of the indusium with a lobe of the leaf margin.</description> <distribution>A mainly tropical family, variously considered to contain between 7 and 17 genera; 1 genus on Christmas Is.</distribution> </taxon> <taxon><rank>gen.</rank><parent>DENNSTAEDTIACEAE</parent><seq>1</seq><ti tle>MICROLEPIA</title> <name_info><name>Microlepia</name><author>C.Presl</author><protologue><ref >Tent. Pterid. 124, t. 4</ref><date>(1836)</date>, nom. cons.</protologue></name_info><etymology>from the Greek mikros (small) and lepis (a scale), in reference to the small, scale-like indusia</etymology> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><type>Type: C.Presl</type></synonym></synonymy> M. polypodioides (Sw.) <description>Terrestrial ferns; rhizome creeping, shortly hairy; fronds scattered along rhizome, in 2 rows. Stipe grooved; vascular stand U-shaped in section. Fronds suberect to arching, usually 2–4-pinnate, rarely simply pinnate, with an occasionally sparse indumentum of short hairs; pinnae becoming gradually reduced towards apex; lobes usually toothed to pinnatifid, the basal lobe enlarged; rachis and costae shallowly grooved; veins all free. Sori subcircular, submarginal, often near base of sinuses, terminal on veins; indusia attached at base and sides, cup-shaped, opening towards margin, the surface hairy.</description> <distribution>The c. 45–50 species in this genus are mainly native to SE Asia; 1 species, M. speluncae, has a pantropical distribution including Africa, Australia and the New World. This is the only species present on Christmas Is. and is probably native there. The species mainly occur in moist to wet forests.</distribution> <bibliography>W.A.Sledge, Microlepia speluncae (L.) Moore, M. trapeziformis (Roxb.) Kuhn and M. firma Mett. in Kuhn, Kew Bull. 11: 523–531 (1956); R.E.Holttum, Fl. Malaya (Ferns) 2nd edn, 2: 306–316 (1968); M.Tagawa & K.Iwatsuki, Fl. Thailand 3: 112–124 (1979); D.L.Jones & S.C.Clemesha, Austral. Ferns & Fern Allies 2nd edn, 168–169 (1981); R.M.Tryon & A.F.Tryon, Ferns & Allied Pl. 373–377 (1982).</bibliography> </taxon> 126 <taxon><seq>1</seq><parent>Microlepia</parent><name_info><name>speluncae</na me><author>(L.) T.Moore</author><protologue><ref>Ind. Fil. 93</ref><date>(1857)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><citation>Polypodium speluncae L., Sp. Pl. 2: 1093 (1753); Davallia speluncae (L.) Baker in W.J.Hooker & J.G.Baker, Syn. Fil. 100 (1868).</citation><type>T: Ceylon [Sri Lanka], Herb. P.Hermann vol. 3, fol. 41, no. 384; lecto: BM, fide W.A.Sledge, Bot. J. Linn. Soc. 84: 25 (1982). Epithet from the Latin spelunca (a cave), in reference either to the indusium shape or to the habitat.</type></synonym></synonymy> <illustrations>Illustrations: D.L.Jones & S.C.Clemesha, Austral. Ferns & Fern Allies 2nd edn, 168, fig. 224 (1981); D.L.Jones, Encycl. Ferns 333 (1987).</illustrations> <description>Large, terrestrial fern; rhizome creeping, dark brown, the young parts shortly hairy, with few, closely spaced fronds. Stipe c. 30–75 cm long, grooved, sparsely shortly hairy, purple-brown. Fronds arching, c. 60–90 cm long, deeply tripinnatisect to tripinnate, finely hairy, thinly and softly herbaceous; pinnae largest towards base, to 20 –35 cm long; pinnules shortly stalked, narrowly triangular, deeply lobed, the basal lobes distinctly enlarged and often ±stalked; lobes oblong, to 8–15 mm long, rounded, deeply incised to shallowly toothed, decurrent, sparsely hairy above and beneath; veins all free. Sori ±circular, submarginal near sinuses of lobe teeth; indusium cup-shaped, opening outwards.</description> <distribution>Christmas Is. Confined to the upper terraces and plateau, among other ferns on the sides of tracks through the primary rainforest, and also in damp situations in marginal forest, especially in areas of basaltic rock. A pantropical species, perhaps introduced to the New World. It occurs in Australia (W.A., Qld).</distribution> <specimens>Ch.Is.: Flying Fish Cove, H.N.Ridley 187 (K); Sydneys Dale, D.A.Powell 4461 (K); Headridge Hill, B.Molesworth Allen P5 (K); Stewart Hill, D.J. & B.P.Du Puy CI36 (CBG, K); SW of Hanitch Hill, D.J. & B.P.Du Puy CI70 (CBG, K).</specimens> <note>This is a very variable species, the degree of division increasing in older an d larger specimens. It is also variable in the hairiness of the fronds, and several varieties and even separate species have been distinguished. The specimens from Christmas Is. have hairs on the lamina as well as on the veins, corresponding most closely to var. pubescens (Hook.) Sledge (sensu W.A.Sledge, Kew Bull. 11: 525, 1956) and var. villosissima C.Chr. (sensu R.E.Holttum, Fl. Malaya (Ferns) 2nd edn, 2: 315, 1968).</note></taxon> <taxon><rank>family</rank><title>ASPLENIACEAE</title> <contributors><contributor>D.J.Du Puy</contributor><contributor_address>Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AB, England</contributor_address><contributor_note>(Ch.Is.)</contributor_note></contributors > <description>Terrestrial or epiphytic ferns, with creeping or erect rhizomes covered with dark brown, latticed scales. Fronds simple or compound; veins usually free. Sori elongate, along one side of the veins with a narrow, linear indusium.</description> <distribution>A cosmopolitan family of 1 large genus (Asplenium) and about 7 smaller ones; 1 genus on Christmas Is.</distribution> </taxon> 127 <taxon><rank>gen.</rank><parent>ASPLENIACEAE</parent><seq>1</seq><title>AS PLENIUM</title> <name_info><name>Asplenium</name><author>L.</author><protologue><ref>S p. Pl. 2: 1073</ref><date>(1753)</date></protologue></name_info><etymology>Gen. Pl. 5th edn, 485 (1754); from the Greek a (not) and splen (a spleen), in reference to the former use of some European species as a remedy for disorders of the spleen. Dioscorides used the name 'asplenon' for these ferns</etymology> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><type>Type: A. marinum L.</type></synonym></synonymy> <description>Epiphytic, lithophytic or terrestrial ferns; rhizome erect or creeping; scales dense, small, minutely latticed, dark brown, on rhizome and stipe base; fronds scattered or in a crown. Stipe grooved, with 2 vascular strands. Fronds erect to pendulous, simple to 4 pinnatified, often with vegetative buds, not articulate; veins usually forked, free, rarely uniting upwards into a submarginal vein. Sori elongate to linear, along one side of vein; indusium narrow, attached along vein, usually opening towards midrib of frond segment.</description> <common_name>Spleenworts.</common_name> <distribution>This is one of the largest fern genera, with c. 600 –650 species distributed world-wide, from the arctic to the tropics; 3 species on Christmas Is. They most frequently occur in moist forest, as lithophytes or epiphytes. They include several attractive species which are popular in cultivation. Some species are exceptionally variable in habit, and many cultivars have been selected.</distribution> <bibliography>W.A.Sledge, The Ceylon species of Asplenium, Bull. Brit. Mus. (Nat. Hist.), Bot. 3: 235–277 (1965); R.E.Holttum, Fl. Malaysia (Ferns) 2nd edn, 2: 413–433 (1968); D.L.Jones & S.C.Clemesha, Austral. Ferns & Fern Allies 2nd edn, 81–93 (1981); M.Tagawa & K.Iwatsuki, Fl. Thailand 3: 261–291 (1985).</bibliography> 1 Fronds in a large rosette, simple, with entire margins 1: Fronds arching to pendulous, rarely erect, pinnate, the pinnae with serrate or incised margins, rarely lobed 2 1. A. nidus Frond lamina c. 25–60 cm long, with c. 15–37 pinnae; pinnae c. 5–13 cm long, coarsely serrate, the serrations usually with secondary teeth; usually epiphytic 2. A. polyodon Frond lamina c. 3.5–9 cm long, with c. 8–18 pinnae; pinnae c. 0.8–1.8 cm long, with several lobes divided to near the midvein, the apex and margin incised and toothed; lithophytic </taxon> 3. A. listeri 2: <taxon><seq>1</seq><parent>Asplenium</parent><name_info><name>nidus</name> <author>L.</author><protologue><ref>Sp. Pl. 2: 1079</ref><date>(1753)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><type>T: Java, P.Osbeck, Herb. C.Linnaeus 1250.6; syn: LINN. Epithet is the Latin word for a nest, the radiating fronds and epiphytic habit of this fern giving th e appearance of a bird's nest.</type></synonym></synonymy> <illustrations>Illustrations: A.B.Graf, Tropica 443 (1978); D.L.Jones & S.C.Clemesha, Austral. Ferns & Fern Allies 2nd edn, 87, fig. 74 (1981).</illustrations> <description>A large, epiphytic or occasionally lithophytic fern; rhizome erect, stout, scaly; scales narrow c. 1–2 cm long, hair-like towards apex, latticed, dark brown, glossy; fronds in a crown. Stipe 2–5 cm long, grooved above, black, scaly at base. Fronds erect to spreading, forming a rosette, simple, linear-elliptic, narrowed to base, entire, acute, to 100–150 cm long, c. 15–25 cm wide, ±glabrous, rather coriaceous; midvein raised above; lateral veins 128 numerous, forked, joined towards apex by a submarginal vein. Sori narrow, linear, in apical half of frond, on lateral veins; indusium linear.</description> <common_name>Bird's Nest Fern.</common_name> <distribution>Christmas Is. Abundant in the rainforest, especially on the plateau and upper terraces, where it can form very large specimens. It is most frequent in the canopy and on the emergent trees Syzygium nervosum, Planchonella nitida and Hernandia ovigera, and is occasionally found as a lithophyte on sheltered limestone rocks and pinnacles in the forest. A common species in the Old World Tropics, from India and southern China through Indo-China, Malesia (including the Malay islands) and Australia (Qld) to Hawaii.</distribution> <specimens>Ch.Is.: northern plateau, D.A.Powell 115 (K); walk to West White Beach, R.Shivas 921 (PERTH).</specimens> <note>This species traps leaf litter by producing erect fronds which later bend outwards, trapping any litter at their base. The root ball becomes large and is capable of holding large amounts of water. This root ball is a habitat utilised by other epiphytic ferns including Vittaria elongata, Asplenium polyodon and Ophioglossum pendulum.</note> </taxon> <taxon><seq>2</seq><parent>Asplenium</parent><name_info><name>polyodon</na me><author>G.Forst.</author><protologue><ref>Prodr. 80</ref><date>(1786)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><type>T: none cited; n.v. Epithet from the Greek polus (many) and odons (a tooth), in reference to the toothed pinnae.</type></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>A. falcatum Lam., Encycl. 2: 306 (1786).</citation><type>T: Mauritius (Isle de France), P.Commerson; n.v.</type></synonym></synonymy> <illustrations>Illustrations: R.E.Holttum, Fl. Malaya (Ferns) 2nd edn, 2: 433, fig. 250 (1968), as A. adiantoides; D.L.Jones & S.C.Clemesha, Austral. Ferns & Fern Allies 2nd edn, 90, fig. 79, 91, fig. 81 (1981).</illustrations> <description>An epiphytic or rarely lithophytic fern; rhizome shortly creeping, stout, scaly; scales narrow, c. 1–2 cm long, slender at apex, latticed, dark brown, glossy; fronds in a crown. Stipe usually 15–40 cm long, grooved above, black, with some scales at base. Fronds usually pendulous to arching, c. 25–60 cm long, pinnate, with c. 15–37 pinnae which are gradually reduced towards apex; pinnae narrowly ovate, c. 5–13 cm long, unequal-sided, acuminate, coarsely serrate or double-serrate, cuneate and strongly oblique at base, ±glabrous, shortly stalked; lateral veins numerous, forked, free. Sori narrow, linear, along lateral veins; indusium linear.</description> <common_name>Sickle Spleenwort, Mare's Tail Fern.</common_name> <distribution>Christmas Is., a frequent and attractive epiphyte in the rainforest on the plateau and upper terrace. It usually forms the largest specimens when it grows on the water retentive root ball of Asplenium nidus. It has once been collected from limestone rock crevices, growing with the endemic A. listeri. A widely distributed, Old World species, occurring from Madagascar and the Mascarenes through India, southern China, Indo-China, the Philippines and Malesia to Australia (W.A., S.A., Qld, N.S.W., Vic.), Polynesia and New Zealand.</distribution> <specimens>Ch.Is.: plateau, H.N.Ridley 172 (K); limestone ridge 0.8 km S of Camp 4, D.A.Powell 110 (K); Headridge Hill, B.Molesworth Allen P8 (K); track to Grants Well, SW of Hanitch Hill, D.J. & B.P.Du Puy CI9 (CBG, K); Gannet Hill, on limestone rocks of lookout point over Margaret Knoll, D.J. & B.P.Du Puy CI88B (CBG, K).</specimens> <note>This is an extremely variable speices or species complex, with regard to the size and division of the fronds. W.A.Sledge (Bull. Brit. Mus. (Nat. Hist.), Bot. 3: 235–277, 1965) gave a detailed account of a range of variants with entire, pinnatifid or pinnate pinnae found in Sri Lanka. Similarly D.L.Jones & S.C.Clemesha (Austral. Ferns & Fern Allies 2nd edn, 90, 1981) recorded this type of variation in Australia. Changes in 129 frond shape may be linked with habitat and environmental factors, and may also involve alterations in ploidy levels. The specimen distinguished here as A. listeri is no doubt closely related to this complex, but it appears to be unique to Christmas Is., and differs so greatly from A. polyodon as represented on the island, that it has been maintained here as a distinct taxon.</note> </taxon> <taxon><seq>3</seq><parent>Asplenium</parent><name_info><name>listeri</name> <author>C.Chr.</author><protologue><ref>Ind. Fil. 118</ref><date>(1906)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><citation>A. centrifugale Baker, J. Linn. Soc., Bot. 25: 360 (1890), non Baker (1874), nom. illeg.</citation><type>T: [Christmas Is., Sept.–Oct. 1887, J.J.Lister s.n.; holo: missing from BM & K]. Gannet Hill, in exposed crevices on limestone rocks of lookout point over Margaret Knoll, Christmas Is., 29 Apr. 1987, D.J. & B.P.Du Puy CI88A; neo: K; isoneo: CBG, fide D.J.Du Puy, Fl. Australia 50: 573 (1993). Named after Joseph Jackson Lister, an Englishman educated at Cambridge, who embarked at Colombo [Sri Lanka] as volunteer natu ralist on H.M. Survey Vessel Egeria, and landed on Christmas Is. on 30 September 1887, where he collected specimens for about a week in the vicinity of Flying Fish Cove.</type></synonym></synonymy> <description>A small, lithophytic fern; rhizome shortly creeping, scaly; scales narrowly ovate, c. 3–6 mm long, long-acuminate, latticed, dark brown, glossy; fronds in a crown. Stipe slender, c. 2.5–3.5 cm long, slender, black, with some scales at base. Fronds short, erect, c. 3.5–9 cm long, with c. 8–18 pinnae which are gradually reduced towards apex; pinnae ovate, c. 8–18 mm long, with several lobes divided to near midvein, unequal -sided, incised and toothed, cuneate at base, ±glabrous, coriaceous, with stalk 0.3 mm long; lateral veins forked, free. Sori linear along lateral veins; indusium linear.</description> <common_name>Christmas Island Spleenwort.</common_name> <image kind="fig"><image_text>Fig. B.</image_text><image_url>v*****_f*****.jpg</image_url></image> 97A– <distribution>Christmas Is. Endemic. Occurs on exposed limestone rocks and cliffs at a single locality.</distribution> <note seq="1">Originally collected by J.J.Lister in 1887, probably near Flying Fish Cove. It was not collected by C.W.Andrews, but H.N.Ridley, J. Straits Branch Roy. Asiat. Soc. 45: 246 (1906), reported having found a single small specimen at Toms Ladder, again in Flying Fish Cove. These historical collections have been lost, and there had been some mystery concerning the identity of this species. J.G.Baker, J. Linn. Soc., Bot. 25: 360 (1890), described the plant as having pinnate fronds c. 10 –13 cm long, c. 2.5–4 cm wide, with stipes c. 5–7.5 cm long. He described the pinnae as being deeply lobed, with the sori confined to the lobes, leaving the central regions of the pinnae sterile and naked.</note> <note seq="2">A specimen recently collected from crevices in exposed limestone rocks at the viewpoint in Gannet Hill (D.J. & B.P.Du Puy CI88A), closely resembles the above description of A. listeri, although with slightly smaller fronds. As this is the only specimen available of this species, it has been neotypified here, and the description has been drawn up from this single collection.</note> <note seq="3">A larger specimen (D.J & B.P.Du Puy CI88B), was collected along with the above specimen of A. listeri, growing in the same rock crevice. It is much larger than A. listeri (frond laminas 16–27 cm long), and the pinnae are not lobed, but toothed as in A. polyodon, from which it differs only in its slightly smaller size, and somewhat more coriaceous and suberect fronds. This specimen has therefore been included in A. polyodon. The large variation in the morphology of A. polyodon has already been discussed, but does not appear to include the distinct variant distinguished here as A. listeri.</note></taxon> 130 <taxon><rank>family</rank><title>DRYOPTERIDACEAE</title> <contributors><contributor seq="1">D.J.DuPuy</contributor><contributor_note seq="1">(Ch.Is.)</contributor_note><contributor_address seq="1">Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AB, England</contributor_address><contributors><contributor seq="2">A.E.Orchard</contributor><contributor_note seq="2">(M.Is.)</contributor_note><contributor_address seq="2">Australian Biological Resources Study, GPO Box 767, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, 2601</contributor_address></contributors> <description>Terrestrial ferns; rhizome erect or creeping, the apex covered in non -latticed scales; stipes not articulate on rhizome, with scales or multicellular hairs. Fronds usually 1 to 4-pinnate, rarely simple; rachis and costae scaly or with multicellular hairs; veins free or netted; pinnules asymmetrical. Sori round, on veins or ends of veins; indusia peltate or reniform, rarely absent.</description> <distribution>A family containing many genera whose classification is still unsettled. It is distributed throughout the world; 2 genera on Christmas Is.; 1 genus on Macquarie Is.</distribution> KEY TO GENERA 1 Pinnae oblique at base (M.Is.) 1: Pinnae equal-sided at base (Ch.Is.) 2 Pinnae mostly simple, entire, the basal pair of pinnae of basiscopically lobed 2: Pinnae mostly deeply lobed to pinnately divided, with toothed or lobulate lobes 3 Lowest pair of pinnae more finely divided than upper pinnae; sinus between pinna lobes without a tooth at base 3: Lowest pair of pinnae identical to upper pinnae; sinus between pinna lobes with a small, prominent tooth at base 1. POLYSTICHUM 2. TECTARIA 2. TECTARIA 3. PTERIDRYS 131 </taxon> <taxon><rank>gen.</rank><parent>DRYOPTERIDACEAE</parent><seq>1</seq><titl e>1. POLYSTICHUM</title> <name_info><name>Polystichum</name><author>Roth</author><protologue><ref> Tent. Fl. German. 3: 31, 69</ref><date>(1799)</date></protologue></name_info><etymology>from the Greek poly- (many) and stichos (a row), in reference to the arrangement of the sori</etymology> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><type>Type: Roth</type></synonym></synonymy> P. longchitis (L.) <description>Terrestrial; rhizome erect, densely covered in scales. Fronds large, 2 - or 3pinnate; rachis usually densely scaly; pinnules asymmetric. Sori circular, in 1 row either side of midrib, remote from margins; indusion circular, peltate or absent.</de scription> <common_name>Shield Ferns.</common_name> <distribution>A cosmopolitan genus of about 160–180 species; 4 species in south-eastern Australia; 1 species on Macquarie Is. Mainly found in temperate areas of both hemispheres and mountainous areas in the tropics.</distribution> <bibliography>T.F.Cheeseman, Vasc. Fl. Macquarie Is. 39 (1919), as Aspidium; B.W.Taylor, Fl. Veg. Soils Macquarie Is. 154–155 (1955); H.H.Allan, Polystichum, Fl. New Zealand 1: 87–89 (1961); G.R.Copson, Annotated Atlas of the Vascular Flora of Macquarie Island, ANARE Res. Notes 18: 27 (1984).</bibliography> </taxon> <taxon><seq>1</seq><parent>Polystichum</parent><name_info><name>vestitum</na me><author>(G.Forst.) C.Presl</author><protologue><ref>Tent. Pterid. 83</ref><date>(1836)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><citation>Polypodium vestitum G.Forst., Prodr. 82 (1786); Aspidium vestitum (G.Forst.) Sw., Syn. Fil. 53 (1806).</citation><type>T: no locality cited, G.Forster; n.v.</type></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>Polystichum venustum Hombr., Voy. Pôle Sud t. 5m–n. (1843); Aspidium venustum (Hombr.) Hook.f., Fl. Antarct. 1: 106 (1844).</citation><type>T: no specimen cited; n.v.</type></synonym></synonymy> <illustrations>Illustrations: B.W.Taylor, Fl. Veg. Soils Macquarie Is. pl. 24 (1955); P.J.Brownsey & J.C.Smith-Dodsworth, New Zealand Ferns & Allied Pl. pl. 30D, figs 165, 167 (1989).</illustrations> <description>Terrestrial; rhizome short, erect, scaly; frond 22 –60 cm long. Stipe densely scaly; scales linear to triangular or ovate, 2–4 cm long, long-attenuate, brown, papery, those nearer base with dark brown centre, interspersed with long flattened bristles. Fronds with primary rachis similarly clothed but scales shorter; upper rachis scales dark brown with light margin; lower rachis scales often uniformly light; indumentum sometimes sparse; secondary rachis usually with bristles only or almost glabrous. Lamina bipinnate, oblong to narrowly lanceolate, tapering, truncate at base; primary pinnae usually 15–40 pairs; secondary pinnae mostly 9–13 pairs, ovate, oblique, deeply dentate, acute, to 10 mm long, 6 mm wide. Sori 3– 7 per pinnule, usually 5, round, c. halfway between margin and midrib; indusium peltate, light brown.</description> <distribution>Macquarie Is. Localised in valleys on the eastern side of the island, rare on the west. Extends from Tasmania and New Zealand (North, South, Stewart, Chatham, Auckland, Campbell, Antipodes and Snares Islands) to Macquarie Is.</distribution> 132 <specimens>M.Is.: on southern slopes of Nuggets Ck, R.Filson 6374 (HO); Green Gorge, 18 Jan. 1949, N.R.Laird (HO); Nuggets Ck valley, 12 Feb. 1949, N.R.Laird (AD, AK, BISH, CANB, CBG, CHR, H, HO, MEL, NSW, WELT); Finch Ck, Sandy Bay, R.D.Seppelt 12675 (AD, AK, HO, MEL).</specimens> </taxon> <taxon><rank>gen.</rank><parent>DRYOPTERIDACEAE</parent><seq>2</seq>< titl e>2. TECTARIA</title> <name_info><name>Tectaria</name><author>Cav.</author><protologue><ref> Anales Hist. Nat. 1: 115</ref><date>(1799)</date></protologue></name_info><etymology>from the Latin tectus (covered, concealed), in reference to the indusia which cover the sori</etymology> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><type>Type: Cav.</type></synonym></synonymy> T. trifoliata (L.) <description>Medium to large, terrestrial ferns; rhizome creeping to erect, sometimes thick, covered by the persistent stipe bases; roots numerous, wiry; fronds in a crown, or closely to widely spaced. Scales large, entire, conspicuous on rhizome apex and scattered on stipe base. Stipe not deeply grooved, often becoming brown; vascular strands several, small . Fronds pinnate to tripinnatisect, rarely simple, the basal pair of pinnae often basiscopically lobed or more finely divided than the others, sometimes dimorphic; veins usually anastomosing, forming areolae (not in T. dissecta). Sori usually circular, terminal on free veinlets; indusium usually reniform or peltate; paraphyses absent.</description> <distribution>A pantropical and subtropical genus of c. 150 species; 3 species on Christmas Is.</distribution> <note seq="1">The species are very variable in frond shape, venation, soral position, indusial type and indumentum, and have previously been variously split into several taxa. There is an evolutionary trend in this genus towards a reduction in the degree of dissection of the fronds, perhaps as an adaptation to damp, windless environments. They usually occur in damp, shady forests, especially on streambanks, rocks or gullies. They show some preference for calcareous rocks and can occur on the mortar of old walls.</note> <note seq="2">The Malesian species have been revised by R.E. Holttum, who kindly allowed the use of his unpublished manuscript (Pteridophyta, Tectaria Group, Fl. Males. ser. II, 2, 1: 1–132, 1991).</note> <bibliography>R.E.Holttum, Fl. Malaya (Ferns) 2nd end, 2: 501–519 (1968); R.E.Holttum, The fern genus Tectaria in Malaya, Gard. Bull. Singapore 34: 132–147 (1981); R.E.Holttum, Studies in the fern genera allied to Tectaria Cav. VII. *Species of Tectaria sect. Sagenia (Presl) Holttum in Asia excluding Malesia, Kew Bull. 43: 475–489 (1988); D.L.Jones & S.C.Clemesha, Austral. Ferns & Fern Allies 2nd edn, 206–208 (1981); R.M.Tryon & A.F.Tryon, Ferns & Allied Pl. 470–481 (1982).</bibliography> 1 Fronds pinnate, sometimes with a basiscopic lobe on the basal pinnae 1: Fronds much more finely divided, 2- or 3-pinnatisect 2 Veins anastomosing, forming areolae along midveins of pinnae, pinnules and lobes; fronds tripinnatisect, the pinnae mostly bipinnatisect; basal pair of pinnae with stalks c. 1.5–2.5 cm long; sori mainly in lobules of pinna lobes; indusia glabrous 2: Veins all free; fronds bipinnatisect, the pinnae pinnatisect except for the basal pair which have 1–3 pairs of stalked pinnules; basal pair of pinnae with stalks up to 1.5 cm long; sori in single rows on either side of midvein of pinna lobes; indusia hairy 3. T. siifolia 1. T. devexa 2. T. dissecta 133 </taxon> <taxon><seq>1</seq><parent>Tectaria</parent><name_info><name>devexa</name>< author>(Kunze ex Mett.) Copel.</author><protologue><ref>Philipp. J. Sci. (Bot.) 2: 415</ref><date>(1907)</date></protologue></name_info> </taxon> </author><synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><citation>Aspidium giganteum var. minor Hook., Spec. Fil. 4: 50 (1862).</citation><type>T: Ceylon, G.Thwaites CP1358; holo: K, fide R.E.Holttum, loc. cit. (1988). Epithets from the Latin devexus (descending, sloping), in reference to the frond shape; and from the Latin minor (lesser, smaller).</type></synonym></synonymy> <illustrations>Illustration: D.L.Jones & S.C.Clemesha, Austral. Ferns & Fern Allies 2nd edn, fig. 288 (1981), as T. devexa.</illustrations> <description>Terrestrial fern; usually solitary; rhizome suberect to procumbent, thick; scales narrowly ovate to linear, c. 6–9 mm long, dark brown; fronds in a crown. Stipe C. 10–35 cm long, becoming brown. Fronds arching, c. 20–40 cm long, tripinnatisect, thinly herbaceous; pinnae bipinnatisect, the basal pinnae largest and most deeply divided, with stalks 1.5–2.5 cm long; lobes narrowly triangular, mostly lobulate, acute, to 4–7 cm long; veins densely hairy; lamina sparsely hairy above and in sinuses; veins anastomosing, forming elongated areolae along larger veins. Sori small, circular, mainly in lobules of pinna lobes; indusia reniform, glabrous.</description> <distribution>Christmas Is. Grows in shaded positions in the primary rainforest on the plateau, usually in areas of deep soil. It may be the only forest floor species in this type of habitat. A tropical and subtropical species distributed from Taiwan, southern China and Sri Lanka through Indo-China, the Philippines and Malesia to the New Hebrides and Australia (Qld). Var. minor is known only from Sri Lanka and Christmas Is.</distribution> <specimens>Ch.Is.: no precise locality, Sept.–Oct. 1988, J.J.Lister (K); no precise locality, C.W.Andrews 12, 131 (K); Flying Fish Cove, H.N.Ridley 186 (K); S side of island, Line 256, D.J. & B.P.Du Puy CI17 (CBG, K).</specimens> <note>Var. minor differs from the typical variant in having frond laminas which are almost glabrous beneath, although the veins are hairy. This species closely resembles T. dissecta, with which it shares similar habitat preferences. Tectaria dissecta has less finely divided fronds with no anastomosing veins.</note> </taxon> <taxon><seq>2</seq><parent>Tectaria</parent><name_info><name>dissecta</name>< author>(G.Forst.) Lellinger</author><protologue><ref>Amer. Fern J. 58: 156</ref><date>(1968)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><citation>Polypodium dissectum G.Forst., Prodr. 81 (1786); Nephrodium dissectum (G.Forst.) Desv., Mém. Soc. Linn. Paris 6(2): 259 (1827); Lastrea dissecta (G.Forst.) Carr, B.Seemann, Fl. Vit. 360 (1873).</citation><type>T: Pacific, G.Forster; iso: BM, K. Epithet from the Latin dissectus (cut into pieces), descriptive of the finely divided fronds.</type></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Lastrea blumei auct. non T.Moore (1858): H.N.Ridley, J. Straits Branch Roy. Asiat. Soc. 45: 247 (1906)]</citation></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Nephrodium intermedium auct. non (Blume) Hook. & Baker (1867): C.W.Andrews, Monogr. Christmas Is. 195 (1900)]</citation></synonym></synonymy> <description>Terrestrial fern, usually solitary; rhizome suberect; scales narrowly ovate, c. 4 – 8 cm long, dark brown; fronds in a crown. Stipe c. 25–30 cm long, becoming brown. Fronds arching, 30–60 cm long, ±bipinnatisect excluding basal pair of pinnae, thinly herbaceous; pinnae mostly pinnatisect, the basal pair largest and most finely divided, ±bipinnatisect, with 1–3 pairs of pinnules, and stalks to 1.4 cm long; lobes narrowly oblong, mostly to 3 cm long, rounded, mostly shallowly toothed; lamina sparsely hairy above; veins all free, densely 134 hairy. Sori small, circular, in single rows on either side of midvein of pinna lobes; i ndusia reniform, hairy.</description> <image kind="fig"><image_text>Fig. F.</image_text><image_url>v*****_f*****.jpg</image_url></image> 97E– <distribution>Christmas Is. Not uncommon, in deep soil on the plateau and upper terraces, in deeply shaded positions under primary rainforest. Occurs from Taiwan, through the Philippines, Borneo and Sulawesi to Java, the lesser Sunda Islands, and Christmas Is., and east through New Guinea to the SW Pacific islands.</distribution> <specimens>Ch.Is.: Phosphate Hill, H.N.Ridley 182 (K); Murray Hill track, H.N.Ridley 183 (K); sheltered valley close to Aldrich Hill, D.A.Powell 456 (K); Headridge Hill, B.Molesworth Allen P10 (K); S side of island, Line 256, D.J. & B.P.Du Puy CI20 (CBG, K).</specimens></taxon> <taxon><seq>3</seq><parent>Tectaria</parent><name_info><name>siifolia</name>< author>(Willd.) Copel.</author><protologue><ref>Philipp. J. Sci. (Bot.) 2: 414</ref><date>(1907)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><citation>Polypodium siifolium Willd., Sp. Pl. 5: 196 (1810).</citation><type>T: Java, L.Ventenat s.n., Herb. C.L.Willdenow 19689; holo: probably B n.v., fide R.E.Holttum, Fl. Males. ser. II, 2, 1: 84 (1991). Epithet from the Latin folium (a leaf) and the genus Sium (Apiaceae), because of the similar appearance of the foliage of these two taxa.</type></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Nephrodium polymorphum auct. non (Wall. ex Hook.) Hook. & Baker (1868): C.W.Andrews, Monogr. Christmas Is. 195 (1900)]</citation></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[Aspidium polymorphum auct. non Wall. ex Hook. (1862): H.N.Ridley, J. Straits Branch Roy. Asiat. Soc. 45: 247 (1906)]</citation></synonym></synonymy> <illustrations>Illustration: D.L.Jones & S.C.Clemesha, Austral. Ferns & Fern Allies 2nd edn, 208, fig. 290 (1981).</illustrations> <description>Terrestrial fern; rhizome shortly creeping; scales to 10 mm long, da rk brown; fronds clustered near apex. Fronds pinnate, with 1–4 pairs of pinnae, the lowest pair sometimes lobed to bifid, glabrous, dimorphic, the sterile frond with broader pinnae than the fertile ones, and with a shorter stipe; pinnae entire or with sinu ous margins. Fertile frond: stipe to 50 cm long; pinnae narrowly oblong, 9–22 cm long, to 5 cm wide, acuminate, obtuse at base; lateral veins oblique, with a network of anastomosing veins between, forming many areoles. Sori circular, in paired rows between lateral veins of pinnae, sometimes coalescing into short, linear sori; indusia small, reniform, glabrous.</description> <distribution>Christmas Is. Collected only once in an area recently extensively mined, but may still exist on the remaining rock outcrops or gullies. This species is of local occurrence throughout Malesia and in north-eastern Qld, Australia.</distribution> <specimens>Ch.Is.: North West Point, C.W.Andrews 94 (BM, K).</specimens> <note>Vegetative propagation can occur naturally in this species, through the development of buds in the pinna axils of old, sterile fronds which have collapsed onto the soil.</note> </taxon> 135 <taxon><rank>gen.</rank><parent>DRYOPTERIDACEAE</parent><seq>3</seq><titl e>3. PTERIDRYS</title> <name_info><name>Pteridrys</name><author>C.Chr. Ching</author><protologue><ref>Bull. Fan Mem. Inst. Biol. 5: 130</ref><date>(1934)</date></protologue></name_info><etymology>from resemblance of the frond venation to certain species of the fern Pteris</etymology> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><type>Type: Ching</type></synonym></synonymy> P. syrmatica (Willd.) & 129– the genus C.Chr. & <description>Terrestrial or lithophytic ferns; rhizome erect, covered by persistent stipe bases. Stipe conspicuously grooved; vascular strands several, small. Fronds suberect, mostly bipinnatisect; pinnae and the apical pinna usually all similar, occasionally the basal pinnae with elongated pinnules (not on Christmas Is.); sinuses between pinna lobes with a small, prominent tooth at base; veins all free. Sori circular, small, on lamina beneath, usually at apex of veinlets in lobes; indusium reniform; paraphyses absent.</description> <distribution>A small genus of c. 10 species, distributed from India and S China through Indo-China, the Philippines and Malesia including New Guinea; 1 species is native to Christmas Is. The species usually occur in shaded forest habitats.</distribution> <bibliography>R.E.Holttum, Fl. Malaya (Ferns) 2nd edn, 2: 529–532 (1968).</bibliography></taxon> <taxon><seq>1</seq><parent>Pteridrys</parent><name_info><name>syrmatica</name ><author>(Willd.) C.Chr. & Ching</author><protologue><ref>Bull. Fan Mem. Inst. Biol. 5: 131, t. 11, 17</ref><date>(1934)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><citation>Aspidium syrmaticum Willd., Sp. Pl. 5: 237 (1810); Lastrea syrmatica (Willd.) T.Moore, Ind. Fil. 2: 105 (1857); Nephrodium syrmaticum (Willd.) Hook. & Baker, Syn. Fil. 272 (1868).</citation><type>T: [Chile, Peru], Herb. C.L.Willdenow 19765; holo: B, microfiche seen. Epithet from the Latin syrma (a trailing robe), in reference to the long, slender apices of the pinnae.</type></synonym></synonymy> <illustrations>Illustrations: R.E.Holttum, Fl. Malaya (Ferns) 2nd edn, 2: 529, fig. 311, 531, fig. 312 (1968).</illustrations> <description>Terrestrial fern, usually solitary; rhizome short, erect; scales narrowly ovate, c. 6–8 mm long, auriculate, brown; fronds in a crown. Stipe c. 20–35 cm long, slender, grooved above, with scattered, basal scales. Fronds suberect to arching, c. 23 –38 cm long, glabrous, firm-textured, bipinnatisect, the terminal pinna similar to laterals; pinnae oblong, c. 8 –15 cm long, subsimilar, pinnatisect, abruptly long-acuminate and serrate, truncate at base with stalks c. 4–12 mm long; lobes narrowly oblong, usually 10–20 mm long, obtuse, serrate, with a prominent, small tooth at sinus base; veins all free. Sori small, circular, in single rows o n either side of midveins of pinna lobes; indusium reniform, thin.</description> <image kind="fig"><image_text>Fig. D.</image_text><image_url>v*****_f*****.jpg</image_url></image> 97C– <distribution>Christmas Is. Frequent in the primary rainforest on the pl ateau and upper terraces, in deep or sometimes shallow soil, often surrounded by a carpet of Bolbitis heteroclita, or among shrubs. The most common species in the genus, distributed in southern India and Sri Lanka, and from Indo-China and the Philippines through Malesia including New Guinea.</distribution> <specimens>Ch.Is.: no precise locality, C.W.Andrews (K); Flying Fish Cove, H.N.Ridley 185 (K); 1 km N of Stewart Hill, D.J. & B.P.Du Puy CI14 (CBG, K).</specimens> <note>This species can be easily distinguished from Tectaria species by its uniformly pinnatisect pinnae without any pinnules, and the presence of a conspicuous tooth at the base of each of the sinuses between the lobes.</note></taxon> 136 <taxon><rank>family</rank><title>LOMARIOPSIDACEAE</title> <contributors><contributor>D.J.Du Puy (Ch.Is.)</contributor><contributor_address>Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AB, England</contributor_address></contributors> <description>Terrestrial, climbing or epiphytic ferns; rhizomes creeping or high-climbing, dorsiventral with roots only on the ventral side, often with minutely latticed scales. Stipe with several vascular strands, forming a U-shape in T.S. Fronds simple, pinnate or rarely bipinnate, the fertile frond often reduced; veins free or anastomosing, the areoles without free veins. Sporangia acrostichoid, densely covering undersurface, or part of it, in fertile fronds; indusium and paraphyses absent.</description> <distribution>A largely tropical family containing c. 6 genera; 1 genus on Christmas Is.</distribution> </taxon> <taxon><rank>gen.</rank><parent>LOMARIOPSIDACEAE</parent><seq>1</seq><tit le>BOLBITIS</title> <name_info><name>Bolbitis</name><author>Schott</author><protologue><ref>Gen. Fil. 3, t. 14</ref><date>(1835)</date></protologue></name_info><etymology>from the Greek bolbos (a bulb), in allusion to the vegetative buds which occur on the apical portion of the frond in the type species</etymology> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><type>Type: Schott</type></synonym></synonymy> B. serratifolia (Mert. ex Kaulf.) <description>Mainly terrestrial or lithophytic ferns; rhizome creeping, rooting ventrally; scales usually minutely latticed, auriculate at base, on rhizome and stipe bas e; fronds usually closely spaced. Stipe and rachis weakly Z-grooved above; vascular strands several, forming a U-shape in T.S. Fronds simple or pinnate, not jointed, dimorphic, often with bulbils. Sterile frond: apical pinna similar to lateral pinnae, sometimes long-attenuate; pinnae sessile or subsessile, entire to lobed and toothed, narrowly decurrent, with midvein and lateral veins pinnate, and free or anastomosing veinlets between. Fertile frond usually reduced, the pinnae narrow; sporangia acrostichoid; paraphyses and indusium absent.</description> <distribution>A pantropical and subtropical genus containing c. 44 species; 2 species in Australia (Qld); 1 species native to Christmas Is. The species usually occur on rocks but are occasionally terrestrial or climbing and epiphytic. They mostly prefer damp habitats, such as stream gullies, in evergreen or seasonally dry forest.</distribution> <bibliography>R.E.Holttum, Fl. Malaya (Ferns) 2nd edn, 2: 461–470 (1968); E.Hennipman, A monograph of the fern genus Bolbitis (Lomariopsidaceae), Leiden Bot. Ser. no. 2 (1977); E.Hennipman, Fl. Males. ser. II, 1: 314–330 (1978); D.L.Jones & S.C.Clemesha, Austral. Ferns & Fern Allies 2nd edn, 104–106 (1981).</bibliography> </taxon> 137 <taxon><seq>1</seq><parent>Bolbitis</parent><name_info><name>heteroclita</name ><author>(C.Presl) Ching in C.Chr.</author><protologue><ref> Ind. Fil. Suppl. 3: 48</ref><date>(1934)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><citation>Acrostichum heteroclitum C.Presl, Rel. Haenk. 15, t. 2, fig. 2 (1825).</citation><type>T: Luzon, Philippines, T.P.X.Haenke s.n.; n.v. Epithet from the Greek heteros (different, various) and klitos (bent), indicating the dimorphic sterile and fertile fronds, the fertile fronds being held more erect.</type></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>Acrostichum flagelliferum Wall. ex Hook. & Grev., Icon. Fil. t. 23, p.p. (1827); Gymnopteris flagellifera (Wall. ex Hook. & Grev.) Bedd., Suppl. Ferns Brit. Ind. 27 (1892).</citation><type>T: cult. Calcutta, 1820, N.Wallich s.n.; holo: K.</type></synonym></synonymy> <illustrations>Illustration: R.E.Holttum, Fl. Malaya (Ferns) 2nd edn, 2: 464, fig. 271 (1968).</illustrations> <description>Terrestrial, mat-forming fern; rhizome shortly creeping, sometimes climbing to c. 50 cm; scales narrowly ovate, c. 4 mm long, minutely latticed, dark brown; fronds closely spaced. Fronds dimorphic, the fertile fronds reduced and held above the sterile frond. Sterile frond: stipe c. 15–25 cm long; lamina horizontal, usually with 5–7 pinnae, the apical pinna frequently with an elongated, slender apex to 30 cm long, often bearing a subapical plant let; pinnae narrowly elliptic, c. 6–15 cm long, acuminate, ±crenate and serrulate, cuneate at base, ±glabrous, subessile; veins pinnate with anastomosing veinlets forming areoles between. Fertile frond: stipe c. 20–30 cm long; lamina erect; pinnae narrow, c. 3–10 cm long, entirely covered by sporangia beneath.</description> <image kind="fig"><image_text>Fig. 96B.</image_text><image_url>v*****_f*****.jpg</image_url></image> <distribution>Christmas Is. Common, forming extensive mats in the rainforest, usually in shaded habitats, especially where the soil is deep, mainly on the plateau and uppermost terrace. A tropical and subtropical species distributed in SE Asia from India to southern Japan, through Indo-China to Malesia and the SW Pacific islands.</distribution> <specimens>Ch.Is.: Phosphate Hill, C.W.Andrews 126 (K); plateau, H.N.Ridley 177 (K); no precise locality, D.A.Powell 227 (K); Headridge Hill, B.Molesworth Allen P4 (K); central plateau, R.Shivas 878 (PERTH).</specimens> <note>This is an extremely variable species throughout its range. The above description refers to the variant on Christmas Is. It spreads by vegetative propagation, the long whip -like apex of the sterile frond producing a plantlet near the tip, which eventually touches and forms roots into the soil at some distance from the parent plant.</note></taxon> <taxon><rank>family</rank><title>DAVALLIACEAE</title> <contributors><contributor>D.J.Du Puy (Ch.Is.)</contributor><contributor_address>Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AB, England</contributor_address></contributors> <description>Small to large, terrestrial or epiphytic ferns; rhizomes erect, creeping or climbing, densely covered with peltate scales; stipe usually articulate on rhizome, with several vascular strands forming a U-shape in T.S. Fronds either simple or variously dissected; veins usually free. Sori solitary at vein tips, dorsal or submarginal; indusium attached and sometimes also along the sides (pouch-shaped), or reniform or sometimes peltate, rarely lacking; paraphyses absent.</description> <distribution>A pantropic family of 4 genera; 3 genera on Christmas Is.</distribution> 138 KEY TO GENERA 1 Indusium pouch shaped 1: Indusium reniform 1. DAVALLIA 2 Rhizome wiry, climbing on tree trunks and buttresses, with scattered fronds 2: Terrestrial ferns with short, erect rhizomes, the fronds in a crown 2. ARTHROPTERIS 3. NEPHROLEPIS </taxon> <taxon><rank>gen.</rank><parent>DAVALLIACEAE</parent><seq>1</seq><title>1. DAVALLIA</title> <name_info><name>Davallia</name><author>Sm.</author><protologue><ref> Mem. Acad. Sci. Turin 5: 414, t. 9</ref><date>(1793)</date></protologue></name_info><etymology>probably after Edmund Davall, a seventeenth century, English botanist</etymology> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><type>Type: Sm.</type></synonym></synonymy> D. canariensis (L.) <description>Epiphytic, lithophytic or rarely terrestrial ferns; rhizome thick, creeping, densely scaly; scales peltate, toothed to ciliate, confined to rhizome; fronds scattered. Stipe ±terete to grooved, articulate on short projection from rhizome; vascular strands several, forming a U-shape in T.S. Fronds large, triangular, finely dissected, rarely trifoliolate, sometimes coriaceous, usually ±glabrous, the fertile frond often with slightly narrower segments; pinnae gradually reduced towards frond apex; veins all free. Sori semicircular to narrowly oblong, ±marginal; indusium pouch-shaped, opening only at margin of lamina; paraphyses absent.</description> <common_name>Rabbits Foot Ferns.</common_name> <distribution>A genus of c. 35–40 species, distributed from SE Asia through Malesia to Australia and the Pacific islands, with 2 species occurring in Africa and 1 in SW Europe; 3 species occur in Australia (Qld) and 2 of these are also native to Christmas Is. These 2 species are very similar but occupy distinct niches, one being epiphytic in tall rainforest, the other commonly occurring in exposed sites in old mined areas. The stout rhizome and rather thick-textured fronds, which are articulated to the rhizome and can therefore be deciduous, allow these species to tolerate dry periods in exposed situations.</distribution> <note>This genus is popular in cultivation, having attractive, finely divided fronds and a thick, conspicuous rhizome with a dense, soft, red-brown indumentum of narrow scales (giving rise to the common name of Rabbits Foot Ferns).</note> <bibliography>R.E.Holttum, Fl. Malaya (Ferns) 2nd edn, 2: 354–363 (1968); D.L.Jones & S.C.Clemesha, Austral. Ferns & Fern Allies 2nd edn, 123–125 (1981).</bibliography> Epiphyte; fronds thin-textured; false veins absent; sori narrowly oblong, c. 1 mm long, 0.5 mm wide Lithophyte or terrestrial; fronds rather coriaceous; fals e translucent veins present between veinlets; sori cup-shaped, c. 1 mm long, 1 mm wide </taxon> 1. D. solida 2. D. denticulata 139 <taxon><seq>1</seq><parent>Davallia</parent><name_info><name>solida</name><a uthor>(G.Forst.) Sw.</author><protologue><ref>J. Bot. (Schrader) 1800</ref><date>(2):</date></protologue></name_info>87 (1801) <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><citation>Trichomanes solidum G.Forst., Prodr. 86 (1786).</citation><type>T: locality unknown, G.Forster 308; syn: BM. Epithet is the Latin word for strong, robust, or sturdy, in reference to the large size.</type></synonym></synonymy> <illustrations>Illustrations: R.E.Holttum, Fl. Malaya (Ferns) 2nd edn, 2: 358, fig. 207 (1968); D.L.Jones & S.C.Clemesha, Austral. Ferns & Fern Allies 2nd edn, 125, fig. 140 (1981); D.L.Jones, Encycl. Ferns 207 (1987).</illustrations> <description>Epiphytic fern, often forming extensive clumps on large branches; rhizome creeping, branched, thick, densely scaly; scales c. 6 mm long, very narrow and tapering to a fine apex, soft, ginger-brown; fronds rather distant. Stipe c. 30–40 cm long, grooved, glabrous, articulated at base. Fronds arching to semi-pendulous, triangular, c. 40–70 cm long, finely 4-pinnatisect, glabrous, deep green; pinnae alternate; pinnules deeply lobed, the lobes narrow, serrate; veins free, branched, without false veins between. Sori narrowly oblong (cigar-shaped), c. 1 mm long, 0.5 mm wide, with 1 or 2 teeth exceeding apex; indusium opening only along outer margin.</description> <common_name>Giant Hares Foot.</common_name> <distribution>Christmas Is. A common species, most plentiful in the taller rainforest on the plateau, mainly high up on the larger branches of tall, canopy or emergent trees such as Planchonella nitida and Syzygium nervosum, but often seen on fallen branches on the forest floor. Occurs from Taiwan, Indo-China and the Philippines through Malesia to Australia (Qld) and the Pacific islands.</distribution> <specimens>Ch.Is.: no precise locality, Sept.–Oct. 1887, J.J.Lister (K); common in forest on trees, C.W.Andrews 82 (BM, K); no precise locality, 1908, C.W.Andrews 206 (BM); Irvine Hill, H.N.Ridley 174 (K); S of field 22 south, D.J. & B.P.Du Puy CI10 (CBG, K).</specimens> <note>A very handsome, epiphytic fern with finely dissected, lacy fronds and softly brown scaly rhizomes. It is readily grown in cultivation. May be deciduous in the dry season.</note> </taxon> <taxon><seq>2</seq><parent>Davallia</parent><name_info><name>denticulata</nam e><author>(Burm.f.) Mett. ex Kuhn</author><protologue><ref> Fil. Deck. 27</ref><date>(1867)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><citation>Adiantum denticulatum Burm.f., Fl. Ind. 236 (1768).</citation><type>T: Java: ?G n.v. Epithet from the Latin dentatus (toothed), in reference to the small teeth on the pinnule margins.</type></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>D. dissecta Sm. ex J.Houlst & T.Moore, Gard. Mag. Bot. 3: 325 (1851).</citation><type>T: Java, cult., Rollisson; n.v.</type></synonym></synonymy> <illustrations>Illustrations: R.E.Holttum, Fl. Malaya (Ferns) 2nd edn, 358, fig. 206 (1968); D.L.Jones & S.C.Clemesha, Austral. Ferns & Fern Allies 2nd edn, 124, fig. 138 (1981).</illustrations> <description>A lithophytic or terrestrial fern, forming clumps; rhizome creeping, branched, thick, densely scaly; scales very narrow and tapering to a fine apex, c. 6 mm long, soft, chestnut-brown; fronds rather distant. Stipe c. 20–40 cm long, flattened above, glabrous, articulated at base. Fronds arching, triangular, c. 30–50 cm long, finely 4-pinnatisect, glabrous, yellow-green, rather coriaceous; pinnae often subopposite; pinnules deeply lobed, the lobes serrate; veins free, branched, with translucent, false veins between. Sori pouch shaped, c. 1 mm long, 1 mm wide, with 1 or 2 teeth exceeding apex; indusium opening only along outer margin.</description> <distribution>Christmas Is. Common on old mined areas with limestone pinnacles and poor, thin soil, and occasionally on exposed limestone cliffs and scree, especially on the plateau and upper terrace. It is rarely epiphytic. A widely distributed species in SE Asia, from southern India and SW China, through Indo-China, the Philippines and Malesia to Australia (Qld) and the New Hebrides.</distribution> 140 <specimens>Ch.Is.: common on cliffs, C.W.Andrews 81 (BM); Flying Fish Cove, H.N.Ridley 173 (K); limestone ridge, 0.8 km S of camp 4, D.A.Powell 109 (K); plateau, fallen Ficus bole, D.J. & B.P.Du Puy CI19 (K); Ross Hill, exposed limestone cliff and boulder slope, D.J. & B.P.Du Puy CI55 (CBG, K).</specimens> <note>This species closely resembles D. solida, differing distinctly in the shape of the sori. They are usually separated by habitat preference, but occasional specimens of D. denticulata occur as forest epiphytes, along with D. solida, and intermediate specimens appear to occur, perhaps through hybridisation. May be deciduous in the dry season.</note> </taxon> <taxon><rank>gen.</rank><parent>DAVALLIACEAE</parent><seq>2</seq><title>2. ARTHROPTERIS</title> <name_info><name>Arthropteris</name><author>J.Sm. in J.D.Hooker</author><protologue><ref>Fl. Nov.-Zel. 2: 43, t. 82</ref><date>(1854)</date></protologue></name_info><etymology>from the Greek arthron (a joint) and pteris (a fern), in reference to the jointed fronds and pinnae</etymology> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><type>Type: Hook.f.</type></synonym></synonymy> A. tenella (G.Forst.) J.Sm. ex <description>Small, climbing ferns, sometimes epiphytic or lithophytic; rhizome very long, slender, creeping, branched; scales peltate, on rhizome and stipe; fronds scattered. Stipe articulate on short projections from the rhizome, grooved; vascular strand circular. Fronds erect to pendulous, pinnate to bipinnatisect; rachis shortly hairy with multiseptate hairs; pinnae articulate on rachis, entire to deeply lobed, oblique at base, often with acroscopic auricles, the apical pinna similar to the lateral pinnae, or a pinnatifid, tapering lamina; veins much-branched, free. Sori intramarginal, at ends of veinlets; indusium present and reniform, or absent; paraphyses absent.</description> <distribution>A genus of 15–20 species, distributed throughout the Old World tropics from Africa and the Indian Oceanic islands through Indo-China, southern China and Malesia to Australia and the Pacific islands; 1 species on Christmas Is. They are usually found as climbers or epiphytes on trees in damp, shaded forest.</distribution> <bibliography>R.E.Holttum, The genus Arthropteris J.Sm. in Malesia, Blumea 14: 225–229 (1966); D.L.Jones & S.C.Clemesha, Austral. Ferns & Fern Allies 2nd edn, 80–81 (1981); R.M.Tryon & A.F.Tryon, Ferns & Allied Pl. 590– 591 (1982).</bibliography> </taxon> <taxon><seq>1</seq><parent>Arthropteris</parent><name_info><name>palisotii</na me><author>(Desv.) Alston</author><protologue><ref>Bol. Soc. Brot. ser., 2, 30: 6</ref><date>(1956)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><citation>Aspidium palisotii Desv., Ges. Naturf. Freunde Berlin Mag. Neusten Entdeck. Gesammten Natuurk. 5: 320 (1811).</citation><type>T: Oware, W Africa, A.M.F.J.Palisot de Beauvois; n.v. Named after A.M.F.J.Palisot de Beauvois (1752–1820), a French traveller and botanist.</type></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>Aspidium ramosum P.Beauv., Fl. Oware 2: 54, t. 91 (1821); Nephrolepis ramosa (P.Beauv.) T.Moore, Ind. Fil. 104 (1858).</citation><type>T: Oware, W Africa, near Buonopozo, A.M.F.J.Palisot de Beauvois; n.v.</type></synonym></synonymy> <illustrations>Illustration: D.L.Jones & S.C.Clemesha, Austral. Ferns & Fern Allies 2nd edn, 80, fig. 62 (1981).</illustrations> <description>Climbing fern to c. 6 m., sometimes epiphytic; rhizome climbing, branched, wiry; scales peltate, dark brown, appressed; fronds c. 3–8 cm apart. Fronds horizontal to drooping, subsessile, jointed to a 1–3 mm long spur, 12–40 cm long, pinnate, the pinnae 141 reduced towards base and apex, the terminal pinna resembling laterals or fused with uppermost pinnae; rachis grooved above, pubescent; pinnae alternate, closely spaced, sessile, jointed, oblong, c. 1–3 mm long, strongly unequal-sided, rounded, weakly sinuate, truncate and auriculate at base; midvein pubescent; veins pinnately branched, free. Sori circular, in a single row on either side of pinna midvein, sometimes also in auricles; indusium reniform, glabrous.</description> <distribution>Christmas Is. Occasional in the primary rainforest on the plateau, usually climbing on tree trunks and buttresses in deep shade. A widespread species, distributed throughout tropical Africa, and from the Mascarenes, Sri Lanka, Burma and southern China through Malesia to the Pacific islands and Australia (Qld, N.S.W.).</distribution> <specimens>Ch.Is.: no precise locality, H.N.Ridley 175 (K); sheltered valley close to Aldrich Hill, D.A.Powell 458 (K); no precise locality, D.A.Powell 466 (K); Headridge Hill, B.Molesworth Allen P3 (K); behind Ross Hill lookout point, D.J. & B.P.Du Puy CI56 (CBG, K).</specimens> <note>Rarely seen fertile.</note> </taxon> <taxon><rank>gen.</rank><parent>DAVALLIACEAE</parent><seq>3</seq><title>3. NEPHROLEPIS</title> <name_info><name>Nephrolepis</name><author>Schott</author><protologue><ref >Gen. Fil. 1, t. 3</ref><date>(1834)</date></protologue></name_info><etymology>from the Greek nephros (a kidney) and lepis (a scale), in reference to the reniform indusia in this genus</etymology> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><type>Type: Schott</type></synonym></synonymy> N. exaltata (L.) <description>Terrestrial or epiphytic ferns; rhizome usually short, erect, with slender, plantlet-bearing stolons; scales slender, often finely ciliate, peltate, dense on rhizome and stipe base; fronds in a crown. Stipe grooved; vascular strands several. Fronds erect to pendulous, usually simple pinnate; pinnae numerous, sessile, articulate on rachis, becoming reduced towards apex and base, toothed, often auriculate, minutely white -spotted around margins above; veins free, branched. Sori circular to semicircular, rarely linear, in single rows on either side of pinnae, sometimes submarginal, occasionally on marginal lobes; indusium reniform; paraphyses absent.</description> <common_name>Sword Ferns, Fishbone Ferns.</common_name> <distribution>This genus has a pantropical and subtropical distribution, sometimes extending into warm-temperate zones. It includes c. 30 species, many of which are adventives in disturbed or open ground and have very wide distributions. They are often to lerant of a wide range of habitats, but most frequently occur in damp habitats with light shade. They are stoloniferous and can rapidly form large, dense colonies by vegetative proliferation. Christmas Is. has 2 native species, both of which are common throughout SE Asia. They have become much more common on Christmas Is. since mining and roads have created suitable disturbed habitats.</distribution> <note seq="1">Several species are important in cultivation as ornamentals and house plants, including N. falcata (Cav.) C.Chr. and N. exaltata (L.) Schott. They both have many cultivars which are more horticulturally desirable than the wild species, including the Fish Tail Ferns with forked pinnae, the Lace Ferns with finely divided pinnae, and the frequently cultivated series of variations known as the Boston Ferns.</note> <note seq="2">The upper surfaces of the pinnae have a marginal ring of minute white spots. These are deposits of calcium carbonate, secreted by hydathodes at the veinlet apices.< /note> 142 <bibliography>R.E.Holttum, Fl. Malaya (Ferns) 2nd edn, 2: 372–383 (1968); D.L.Jones & S.C.Clemesha, Austral. Ferns & Fern Allies 2nd edn, 172–176 (1981); R.M.Tryon & A.F.Tryon, Ferns & Allied Pl. 656–662 (1982).</bibliography> Fronds arching, soft-textured; pinnae mostly 12–22 cm long, slightly reduced towards frond base, not distinctly auriculate; rachis and pinnae ±glabrous; sori on lamina of pinnae, c. 2–3 mm from margin 1. N. biserrata Fronds ±erect, firm-textured; pinnae 1–9 cm long, gradually becoming greatly reduced towards frond base, usually with distinct, acute auricles; rachis and pinnae with many scattered, hairy scales, and pubescent on midvein of pinnae above; sori ±marginal on pinnae </taxon> 2. N. multiflora <taxon><seq>1</seq><parent>Nephrolepis</parent><name_info><name>biserrata</na me><author>(Sw.) Schott</author><protologue><ref>Gen. Fil. sub t. 3</ref><date>(1834)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><citation>Aspidium biserrata Sw., J. Bot. (Schrader) 1800(2): 32 (1801).</citation><type>T: Mauritius, C.F.Grondahl s.n.; holo: S n.v. Epithet from the Latin bis (twice) and serratus (saw-toothed), the major serrations of the pinna margins sometimes with a second series of minor teeth in the sinuses (doubly serrate).</type></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>Aspidium acutum Schkuhr, Deutschl. Krypt. Gew. 1: 32, t. 31 (1810); Nephrolepis acuta (Schkuhr) C.Presl, Tent. Pterid. 79 (1836).</citation><type>T: not designated.</type></synonym></synonymy> <illustrations>Illustrations: R.E.Holttum, Fl. Malaya (Ferns) 2nd edn, 2: 373, fig. 217 (1968); D.L.Jones & S.C.Clemesha, Austral. Ferns & Fern Allies 2nd edn, 173, fig. 232 (1981); D.L.Jones, Encycl. Ferns 303 (1987).</illustrations> <description>Large, terrestrial, clump-forming fern; rhizome short, erect, with many stolons and persistent stipes in a crown; scales, slender, 3–5 mm long, ciliate, dark brown, glossy. Stipe c. 25–50 cm long, stout, grooved, with spreading, basal scales. Fronds arching, 50 –150 cm long, pinnate, herbaceous, ±glabrous, glossy; pinnae not overlapping, slightly reduced towards frond base, narrowly oblong, c. 7–25 cm long, acuminate, shallowly serrate, but becoming distinctly crenate on fertile pinnae, truncate at base, sometimes with a weak auricle on the upper side. Sori circular, in a row c. 2–3 mm from margin, on each side of the pinnae; indusium circular with a narrow sinus, glabrous.</description> <common_name>Broad Sword Fern.</common_name> <distribution>Christmas Is. Abundant on the plateau and upper terraces in any semi -shaded situations in the primary rainforest. It may be found in open parts of the forest itself or in clearings, but more usually forms very dense stands along roadsides and drill lines through the forest, and on the forest margins. A common, pantropical species including Australia (Qld).</distribution> <specimens>Ch.Is.: common in forest everywhere, C.W.Andrews 85 (BM, K); Flying Fish Cove, H.N.Ridley 169 (K); Headridge Hill, B.Molesworth Allen P11 (K); central plateau, R.Shivas 800 (PERTH); track to Grants Well, D.J. & B.P.Du Puy CI8 (CBG, K).</specimens> <note>An adventive species, often invasive when cultivated, and frequently becoming naturalised.</note> </taxon> 143 <taxon><seq>2</seq><parent>Nephrolepis</parent><name_info><name>multiflora</n ame><author>(Roxb.) F.M.Jarrett ex C.V.Morton</author><protologue><ref>Contr. U.S. Natl. Herb. 38: 309– 310</ref><date>(1974)</date></protologue></name_info> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><citation>Davallia multifora Roxb., J. Nat. Hist. Calcutta 4: 515, t. 31 (1844).</citation><type>T: India, Herb. W.Roxburgh; lecto: BR n.v., fide C.Morton, Contr. U.S. Natl. Herb. 30: 309 (1974). Epithet from the Latin multus (many) and flos (a flower), obviously inappropriate for a fern species.</type></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>[N. exaltata auct. non (L.) Schott: C.W.Andrews, Monogr. Christmas Is. 195 (1900)]</citation></synonym></synonymy> <illustrations>Illustrations: D.L.Jones & S.C.Clemesha, Austral. Ferns & Fern Allies 2nd edn, 175, fig. 234 (1981), as N. hirsutula, S.W.Andrews, Ferns Queensland 251, fig. C (1990).</illustrations> <description>A terrestrial, clump-forming fern; rhizome short, erect, with many stolons and persistent stipes; scales ovate, 3–4 mm long, ciliate, dark brown. Stipe c. 5–25 cm long, grooved, appressed-scaly. Fronds erect, narrow, c. 20–150 cm long, pinnate, firmly herbaceous, the rachis and pinnae with scattered, pale, hairy scales, the midveins of the pinnae pubescent with a row of short, erect hairs above; pinnae ±overlapping, becoming greatly reduced towards frond base, oblong, c. 1–9 cm long, usually obtuse, shallowly crenate or finely serrate, truncate at base, usually with a distinct auricle on the upper side. Sori circular, in a submarginal row on either side of pinnae; indusium circular with a narrow sinus, glabrous.</description> <common_name>Scurfy Sword Fern.</common_name> <distribution>Christmas Is. An abundant coloniser of old mined areas, and disturbed ground in exposed situations. In areas with poor thin soil and limestone pinnacles it is often the dominant, if rather sparse, plant species. The largest specimens form dense thickets in the damper, more shaded, deep gullies towards the margins of old mines, and may form dense thickets over 2 m tall, while more exposed plants may barely reach 30 cm. Also common along exposed roadsides and railway embankments. A widespread species in tropical SE Asia, from India and southern China through Indo-China and Malesia to Australia (Qld) and the Pacific islands. It has also become naturalised in the New World, where it can compete successfully with the native N. exaltata as an adventive species.</distribution> <specimens>Ch.Is.: N coast, C.W.Andrews 130 (BM, K); South Point Road, on railway cutting, A.Pearson P19 (K); central plateau, between railway track and adjacent rainforest, R.Shivas 886 (PERTH); old mine site, 0.5 km N of airport, R.Shivas 940 (PERTH); Irvine Hill road, D.J. & B.P.Du Puy CI3 (CBG, K).</specimens> <note seq="1">The larger, more leafy specimens, from damper and more shaded areas, are less hairy, with larger pinnae, and may be confused with N. biserrata (e.g. C.W.Andrews 130).</note> <note seq="2">Nephrolepis multiflora differs from N. hirsutula (G.Forst.) C.Presl in having short hairs on the upper surface of the pinna midveins. These two species are obviously closely related, and further revision may unite them under the name N. hirsutula.</note></taxon> <taxon><rank>family</rank><title>BLECHNACEAE</title> <contributors><contributor>A.E.Orchard</contributor><contributor_address>Australian Biological Resources Study, GPO Box 767, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, 2601</contributor_address><contributor_note>(M.Is.)</contributor_note></contributors> <description>Medium to large ferns, usually terrestrial but sometimes climbing or epiphytic, often with dimorphic sterile and fertile fronds; rhizome small to large, erect or creeping, 144 scaly. Fronds usually pinnate, rarely entire or bipinnate, tinged pink to red when young; stipe scaly at base, with several separate vascular strands. Sori parallel to midrib, continuous or interrupted; indusium opening towards midrib.</description> <distribution>A widely distributed family of 8 or 9 genera and 180–230 species; in Australia 4 genera and about 28 species, almost confined to the eastern coast; 1 genus extends to Macquarie Is.</distribution> </taxon> <taxon><rank>gen.</rank><parent>BLECHNACEAE</parent><seq>1</seq><ti tle>BL ECHNUM</title> <name_info><name>Blechnum</name><author>L.</author><protologue><ref>S p. Pl. 2: 1077</ref><date>(1753)</date></protologue></name_info><etymology>Gen Pl. 5th edn, 485 (1754); from the Greek blekhnon, the name of a fern</etymology> <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><type>Type: B. occidentale L.</type></synonym></synonymy> <description>Rhizome short and erect, sometimes forming a small trunk, or shortly or extensively creeping, covered in narrow, shining, often brown scales. Fronds usually leathery, pinnate, rarely entire or lobed or bipinnate, usually dimorphic; fertile fronds (when dimorphic) longer with narrower pinnae; sterile pinnae entire or minutely serrate. Sori linear, continuous, parallel to midrib; indusium opening toward midrib.</description> <common_name>Water Ferns, Hard Ferns.</common_name> <distribution>A genus of 150–200 species, widely distributed throughout the world; in Australia there are about 18 species; 1 extends to Macquarie Is.</distrib ution> <bibliography>T.F.Cheeseman, Vasc. Fl. Macquarie Is. 38–39 (1919), as Lomaria; B.W.Taylor, Fl. Veg. Soils Macquarie Is. 152–154 (1955); H.H.Allan, Fl. New Zealand 1: 77–86 (1961); G.R.Copson, An Annotated Atlas of the Vascular Flora of Macquarie Island, ANARE Res. Notes 18: 25 (1984).</bibliography> </taxon> <taxon><seq>1</seq><parent>Blechnum </parent><name_info><name>marina</name><author>(Poir.) Kuhn</author><protologue><ref>Filic. 92</ref><date>(1868)</date></protologue></name_info> pennaAfric. <synonymy><synonym kind="nom"><citation>Polypodium penna-marina Poir., in J.B.A.P. de Lamarck, Encycl. 5: 520 (1804); Struthiopteris penna-marina (Poir.) Mason & C.V.Morton, Bull. Torrey Bot. Club 66: 44 (1939).</citation><type>T: Straits of Magellan, Dec. 1767–Jan. 1768, P.Commerson; n.v.</type></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>Lomaria alpina (R.Br.) Spreng., Syst. Veg. 4: 62 (1827); Stegania alpina R.Br., Prodr. 152 (1810).</citation><type>T: [Tas.], R.Brown; n.v.</type></synonym> <synonym kind="tax"><citation>Lomaria penna-marina Trevis., Atti Ist. Venet. Sci. 14: 570 (1869).</citation><type>T: protologue not seen.</type></synonym></synonymy> <illustrations>Illustrations: B.W.Taylor, Fl. Veg. Soils Macquarie Is. t. 35 (1955); D.M.Moore, Fl. Tierra del Fuego fig. 25 (1983); P.J.Brownsey & J.C.Smith-Dodsworth, New Zealand Ferns & Allied Pl. pl. 33F, fig. 189 (1989).</illustrations> <description>Terrestrial ferns; rhizome black, slender, creeping, glabrous in older parts, sparsely clad in papery brown, entire, ovate scales near growing tip; scales of frond sparse at base, occasional among pinnae, otherwise frond glabrous; fronds erect, 5–24 cm tall, dimorphic. Sterile frond to 16 cm long; lamina lanceolate, once-pinnate, 3–8 cm long, 0.6– 1.3 cm wide; pinnae coriaceous, about 15–20 pairs, closely spaced or sub-imbricate, oblong to ovate, 4–8 mm long, 2–6 mm wide, entire, with prominent venation, attached by broad 145 base. Fertile frond stiffly erect, equalling or exceeding sterile fronds; pinnae more widely spaced than on sterile fronds, twisted at right angles to rachis, oblong, curved, coriaceous. Sori in two continuous bands occupying almost entire undersurface; indusia membranous, with irregular margins.</description> <distribution>Macquarie Is. Localised in the north and east in herbfield in sheltered sites with good drainage. Extends from S America (southern Brazil, Chile, Argentina) to Falkland, South Georgia, Tristan da Cunha, Gough, Prince Edward, Crozet, Kerguelen and Macquarie Islands, Australia (Vic., N.S.W. and Tas.), New Zealand (North, South, Stewart, Chatham, Auckland, Campbell and Antipodes Islands).</distribution> <specimens>M.Is.: Pyramid Peak, 17 Jan. 1949, N.R.Laird (HO); Green Gorge, 18 Jan. 1949, N.R.Laird (HO); N end of plateau, 21 Jan. 1949, N.R.Laird (HO); Finch Ck, Sandy Bay, R.D.Seppelt 12667 (AD, AK, CANB, HO, MEL, NSW); NW side of Green Gorge, R.D.Seppelt 12682 (HO, MEL).</specimens> 146

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