Pneumatopteris costata

Thelypteridaceae

Pneumatopteris costata (Brack.) Holttum

Link to Australian Plant Name Index for publication details and synonyms: https://id.biodiversity.org.au/name/apni/62161

Rhizome short, erect. Fronds to 85 cm long, dark green. Stipe 5–10 cm long. Lamina elliptic, to 75 cm long, mid-green, not pustular abaxially when dried; pinnae to 30 pairs; basal 4–8 pairs gradually reduced, not auriculate; lowest c. 10 mm long; largest pinnae c. 15 cm long, 1.5 cm wide, narrowly acuminate, lobed at least half-way to costa; lobes entire; veins 8 or 9 pairs; basal ones anastomosing; 1 or both of next pair passing to the sinus membrane; lower surface with minute acicular hairs and very small sessile or subsessile colourless glands which collapse on drying; glands also scattered between veins on upper surface; hairs on upper surface of rachis and costae colourless, acicular, more than 0.5 mm long. Sori inframedial, exindusiate or with very small glabrous indusium; sporangia with small capitate hairs near the annulus.

Between the Russell and Tully Rivers in the Wet Tropics of NE QLD. Also scattered across the Pacific Islands and Malesia.

Terrestrial in mesic vine forest in lower-montane river valleys.