Flora of New Zealand Series

Rhizomes short-creeping, scaly. Stipes 25-75 cm long, ± devoid of scales except at very base. Laminae ovate or broadly ovate, 20-40 × 10-30 cm, 1-pinnate or with lower pinnae forked. Primary pinnae in 2-7 pairs, widely spaced, linear, tapering to acute apices, entire or minutely crenate at apices, 12-27 × 0.8-1.8 cm; upper pinnae adnate; lower pinnae stalked. Sori occupying whole of both margins of pinnae except at apices, protected by reflexed margins.

N.: Auckland City, S. Auckland (Mercury Bay, Coromandel, Hamilton, Taupo), Wellington City; S.: Nelson City, Canterbury (Akaroa, Oxford).

Widespread in tropics and temperate regions 1881

Waste ground, cemeteries, road and tracksides.

This is a commonly cultivated plant and occasionally escapes. It is easily distinguished from the native spp. by its pinnate fronds with the lower pinnae often forked (Fig. 7).

Fig. 7. Pteris cretica, A frond, B sorus and indusium. © All rights reserved. [Image: 4X5W]