Flora of New Zealand Series

Rhizomes short, erect. Stipes and rachises densely scaly; scales broad, uniformly pale orange-brown. Laminae narrowly oblong or narrowly elliptic, 2-pinnate at base (3-pinnate in largest specimens), 6-25 × 2-6 cm. Primary pinnae in 15-25 pairs, ovate to broadly ovate, the largest 1-3 × 0.8-2.5 cm. Secondary pinnae in 2-7 pairs, ovate, to 12 × 7 mm, deeply incised or bearing 1-2 pairs of tertiary pinnae. Sori round, crowded, often confined to upper pinnae, protected by very convex, uniformly pale brown, peltate indusia.

N.: Mt Egmont; S.; St.; A., C.: throughout in higher montane and alpine areas.

Endemic.

Open rocky ground, screes, crevices, herb field and tussock grassland.

This is one of the few ferns to be found in high alpine areas.