Flora of New Zealand Series

D. kunthiana Gaud. Freyc. Voy. Bot. 1829, 401, t. 14.

D. aspera A. Rich. Essai Fl. N.Z. 1832, 76.

Rhizome ascending, clad in dark paleae up to 5 mm. long, invested by bases of fallen crowded stipites. Stipes stiff, asperous, ± densely paleate, (4)-10-25-(30) cm. long, blackish brown in lower portion, lighter brown above, becoming smooth in age. Rhachis asperous, ± paleate; with ∞ alt. to subopp. pinnae. Lamina 30-45 × 5-10 cm., harsh, coriac., dark green, linear-lanceolate to oblanceolate, acuminate, pinnatifid in apical portion. Lower pinnae stalked, in distant pairs, 5-20 × 5-10 mm., ovate-cordate, sharply serrate. Mid pinnae up to 4-6 cm. × c. 5 mm. lanceolate-oblong to linear-lanceolate, ± arcuate, subsessile to sessile and decurrent at base, sts confluent, sharply serrate, mucronate, sts auricled at base. Upper gradually decreasing in size; terminal portion sts caudate. Sori in a single row, or with an irregular outer row, c. 2 mm. long, often approximate, occ. ± confluent.

DIST.: Three Kings, N. Lowland forest margins and open places throughout, local from 38º southwards. S. Port Hills, Nelson, T. Kirk. Also Norfolk Island, Pacific Islands to Hawaii. Immature fronds are of a rose-pink tinge.