Primitive Plants - True Ferns

True Ferns


True Ferns (Polypodiophyta) Ferns are one of the most diverse group of living land plants, It's estimated that there are 11,000 species in 300 genera. Ferns are typically found in moist forested areas although some hardy species can be found in coastal, urban, and even in desert locations. They vary in form and size. Some aquatic ferns have fronds less then 25 mm, where as tree ferns can grow to 10 meters in height, with fronds as long as 3 meters. With many smaller plants the stem is underground, and the fronds being the only visible parts. New Zealand has around 164 different fern species may of which are endemic. Due to the number involved and the limitations on web page space I have only included a small sampling of some of the common or interesting ferns found in the New Zealand forest.		Genus
		- Asplenium - Blechnum - Cyathea - Hymenophyllum - Lygodium - Microsorum - Trichomanes
		Web Links
		- Australian Ferns - The Fern Life Cycle - Keith's fern page


Species: Asplenium flaccidum G. Forst. Common epiphytic often found on tree ferns but not restricted to them. Occasionally found on the ground.
Common Name: Drooping spleenwort Endemic: No	Distribution: New Zealand wide


Species: Blechnum discolor (G. Forst.) Keyserl. Common found in dry lowland forest, Can form extensive colony's under lepterspernim scrub and beech trees.
Common Name: Crown fern Endemic: Yes	Distribution: New Zealand wide


Species: Blechnum filiforme (A. Cunn.) Ettingsh. This fern will creep along the ground till it finds a tree, it will then grow up high into the tree. Its leaves change as it matures.
Common Name: Climbing hard fern, Thread fern. Endemic: Yes	Distribution: New Zealand wide, coastal and lowland forest.


Species: Lygodium articulatum A. Rich. This is the only climbing fern New Zealand fronds will grow to an indefinite length as it climbs up trees.
Common Name: Bushmans Mattress Endemic: Yes	Distribution: North Island Lowland forest

Species: Schizaea fistulosa

Schizaea dichotoma

Common Name: Comb fern
Endemic: No

Distribution: New Zealand wide


Species: Schizaea dichotoma(L.)J. E. Sm. Common in lowland Kauri forest and thermal sites.
Common Name: Fan fern Endemic: No	Distribution: North Island


Filmy ferns


Species: Hymenophyllum dilitatum (G. Forst.) Sw. One of the most common filmy ferns, normally found on the ground but some times are epiphytic
Common Name: Filmy fern Endemic: Yes	Distribution: New Zealand Wide


Species: Microsorum pustulatus (G. Forst.) Copel. Common on the ground and rocks some times epiphytic. Leaf is very variable depending on age.
Common Name: Hound's tongue Endemic: No	Distribution: New Zealand wide


Species: Trichomanes reniforme G. Forst. Common particularly under open bush. Shrivels up when dry soon opens up again after rain.
Common Name: Kidney fern Endemic: Yes	Distribution: New Zealand wide


Species: Microsorum scandens (G. Forst.) Tindale Common in lowland and coastal forest. Found creeping over the ground, rocks but more common up trees
Common Name: Fragrant fern Endemic: No	Distribution: North Island and the north and west of the south Island.


Tree ferns


Species: Cyathea dealbata (G. Forst.) Sw. Grows to 10 meters, subcanopy species easily recognised by the underside of the fronds being silver. Photo shows a young plant.
Common Name: Silver tree fern Endemic: Yes	Distribution: New Zealand wide


Species: Cyathea medullaris Grows to 8 meters, common subcanopy species prefers cold wet conditions thus common at high altitude. Recognised by the skirt of dead stripes.
Common Name: Soft tree fern Endemic: Yes	Distribution: New Zealand wide


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