Arthropteris palisotii

Tectariaceae

Arthropteris palisotii (Desv.) Alston

Link to Australian Plant Name Index for publication details and synonyms: https://id.biodiversity.org.au/name/apni/102642

Rhizome c. 1 mm diam.; upper surface densely covered when young with minute appressed black-brown scales (frequently lost with age) which sometimes bear scattered simple fragile marginal hairs. Fronds 5–31 cm long, tapering towards base and partly to apex; uppermost pinna pair and terminal pinna usually distinctly enlarged. Stipes ±absent; rachis bearing short curled hairs; frond indumentum dense on the lower surface, rare to absent on the upper surface and (rarely) scattered scales. Pinnae 8–55 mm long, 4–12 mm wide, bearing similar hairs on proximal part of upper and lower midrib; margins entire or crenulate; apex rounded or sometimes acute in upper pinnae, usually with a low rounded basal auricle. Sori superficial, at two-thirds distance from midrib to margin and usually present within auricle; indusium round, glabrous.

NE QLD coast and hinterland from Iron Range to Herbert River. Also in Malesia, Pacific Islands and Africa.

Hemiepiphytic climber on tree trunks and occasionally rocks in mesic lowland to upper montane vine forest.

This species starts as a terrestrial fern and climbs up tree trunks to become and epiphyte.