Flora of New Zealand Series

Lomaria nigra Col. in Tasm. J. nat. Sci. 2, 1846, 176.

Rhizome stout, ascending, clad in pale brown oblong-attenuate paleae c. 4 mm. long, invested by bases of fallen stipites; stipites tufted. Stipes (2)-3-5-(8) cm. long, firm, dark brown, ± densely paleate and pilose. Rhachis ± pilose and paleate, bearing 8-16 lateral pinnae. Sterile lamina spreading, very dark green, membr., narrow-oblong, rufous-hairy when young; 7-20 × 2.5-5 cm. Lateral pinnae oblong to broad-oblong, crenate-serrate, sts irregularly lobed, sessile, 1-2 × c. 1 cm. Terminal pinna 3-5 × 2 cm., oblong, crenate, sts shallowly lobed. Fertile lamina 5-15 × 1·5-5 cm., erect; pinnae linear, distant, up to 3 cm. long, ascending; terminal pinna up to 6 cm. long. Sori covering whole of undersurface.

DIST.: N., S., St. Lowland to montane forest by streamsides from lat. 35º southwards, rather local. Endemic.