Flora of New Zealand Series

Rhizomes short, erect. Stipes and rachises densely scaly; scales broad, with shiny dark brown centres and pale borders. Laminae elliptic to narrowly elliptic, 2-pinnate, 15-40 × 5-18 cm. Primary pinnae in 18-25 pairs, ± narrowly oblong, the longest 3-10 × 1-3 cm; midribs narrowly winged. Secondary pinnae in 6-15 pairs, elliptic or ovate, to 15 × 8 mm, deeply incised with apices drawn into long fine points. Sori round, lacking indusia.

N.: from Hunua and Coromandel Ranges to Wellington; S.: Marlborough Sounds, N.W. and S.W. Nelson, Dunedin.

Endemic.

Coastal to montane forest, usually in damper, darker situations.

P. silvaticum is very closely related to P. vestitum but is distinguished by its more finely dissected fronds, its pinna midribs with a slight wing, and the absence of indusia. It is also ecologically distinct, growing only in damp, shaded forest.