Volume IV (1988) - Flora of New Zealand Naturalised Pteridophytes, Gymnosperms, Dicotyledons
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Adiantum formosum R.Br.

A. formosum R. Br. Prodr. Fl. Nov. Holl. 155 (1810).

Rhizomes far-creeping, scaly. Stipes and rachises rough; midribs of pinnae hairy. Laminae broadly ovate, 35-80 × 20-50 cm, (3)-4-pinnate. Primary pinnae alternate, 8-12 on each side of rachis bearing secondary pinnae, and a terminal portion bearing undivided primary pinnae. Ultimate pinnules ± oblong or parallelogrammoid, 4-13 × 3-6 mm; stalk attached at proximal corner; upper and outer margins regularly lobed, lower and inner margins entire; upper surface glabrous, lower glabrous or hairy, both surfaces dark green. Indusia crescent-shaped with shallow sinuses, glabrous, up to 10 per pinnule on upper and outer margins.

N.: Auckland (recorded from Reef Point and Wairoa R., but now thought to be extinct), Wellington (Ashurst and Palmerston North through Manawatu Gorge to Woodville); S.: recorded from D'Urville Id but not seen recently.

Also indigenous to E. Australia.

Open floor of terrace forest.

A. formosum is an attractive sp. which grows well in cultivation.