Flora of New Zealand Series

Aspidium velutinum A. Rich. Essai Fl. N.Z. 1832, 70.

Nephrodium velutinum Hook. f. Fl. N.Z. 2, 1855, 39, t. 80.

Dryopteris velutina O. Kuntze Rev. Gen. Pl. 2, 1891, 814.

Type locality: "Crescit in Nova-Zeelandia." Endemic.

Rhizome stout, erect, densely clad in dark to pale brown linear-subulate paleae up to 15 mm. long; stipites tufted. Stipes stout, 15-50 cm. long, paleate towards base, densely to rather sparsely clad in soft ferruginous hairs in upper part. Rhachis stout, ± densely clad in soft ferruginous hairs. Lamina dark green, soft membr., velvety, ± clad in silky hairs above and below, 2-3-(4)-pinnate; 20-45 × 15(35 cm. Lower (largest) pinnae up to 25 × 15 cm., obliquely ovate-deltoid; secondary pinnae up to 10×4 cm., about lanceolate. Tertiary pinnae up to 2 × 1 cm., again pinnate or pinnatisect to pinnatifid, about oblong; final lobes oblong to triangular, acute to obtuse. Sori c. 1 mm. diam., 1-4-(6) per lobe; indusium round-reniform, ± pubescent.

DIST.: N., S. Lowland forest, local in southern part of range.

HYBRIDISM

Field (T.N.Z.I. 35, 1903, 373) suggested that hybrids occur between C. decomposita and C. glabella. Forms linking the three spp. have been met with.