NEW ZEALAND NATIVE FERNS & Fungi: The New Zealand bush floor is a collection of many species of native ferns, and some intruders like Asparagus and Selaginella, so before we look at the individual species, lets take a look at the undergrowth.
INTRUDERS
Asparagus scandens
Asparagus scandens, (also known as Climbing Asparagus fern or Krulkransie) is a plant native to South
Africa in the Asparagus genus. This ls now one of the major invasive plants in the Northland Reserves, especially the Coronation Reserve and Onerahe Reserves. Although a fine, delicate looking creeper is actually very hardy. It prefers shady areas and moisture, so is idealy suited to the NZ bush floor, but can tolerate some drought. Its soft, feathery foliage is a deep, rich green and unlike other asparagus ferns, this species does not grow thorns. This tough little creeper is indigenous to the shady afro-montane forests of the Western Cape, South Africa, where it can be found from the indigenous woods and kloofs of Cape Town, estwards as far as the Tsitsikamma Mountains. It will climb up any small native plants or ferns, smothering them completely. However, if there is nothing for it to climb up, it will simply form a thick, feathery groundcover. It grows lots of tiny white drooping flowers that are followed by little orange fruits. These attract birds which help to disperse them. A. scandens is an invasive species in New Zealand. It is listed on the National Pest Plant Accord, which means that it cannot be sold or distributed. In Australia it is listed on the Weeds of National Significance, a list of 32 taxa compiled by the federal government. Photographs taken in the Coronation Reserve, Whangarei, Northland, NZ.
Africa in the Asparagus genus. This ls now one of the major invasive plants in the Northland Reserves, especially the Coronation Reserve and Onerahe Reserves. Although a fine, delicate looking creeper is actually very hardy. It prefers shady areas and moisture, so is idealy suited to the NZ bush floor, but can tolerate some drought. Its soft, feathery foliage is a deep, rich green and unlike other asparagus ferns, this species does not grow thorns. This tough little creeper is indigenous to the shady afro-montane forests of the Western Cape, South Africa, where it can be found from the indigenous woods and kloofs of Cape Town, estwards as far as the Tsitsikamma Mountains. It will climb up any small native plants or ferns, smothering them completely. However, if there is nothing for it to climb up, it will simply form a thick, feathery groundcover. It grows lots of tiny white drooping flowers that are followed by little orange fruits. These attract birds which help to disperse them. A. scandens is an invasive species in New Zealand. It is listed on the National Pest Plant Accord, which means that it cannot be sold or distributed. In Australia it is listed on the Weeds of National Significance, a list of 32 taxa compiled by the federal government. Photographs taken in the Coronation Reserve, Whangarei, Northland, NZ.
Selaginella krussiana: African Clubmoss - Krauss's Spikemoss.
Selaginella kraussiana, sometimes known by the common names of Krauss's spikemoss and African clubmoss, is a clubmoss found naturally in the Canary Islands, the Azores and parts of mainland Africa.
S. kraussiana is listed on the New Zealand National Pest Plant Accord since it is an invasive species. It is common in many parts of New Zealand where it forms dense mats in shaded areas.
S. kraussiana is listed on the New Zealand National Pest Plant Accord since it is an invasive species. It is common in many parts of New Zealand where it forms dense mats in shaded areas.
NEW ZEALAND FERNS
ANARTHROPTERIS
BOTANICAL NAME: Anarthropteris lanceolata. Common name, Strap Fern. Recognisable by its bright green strap-like fronds, although it can be confused with young Microsorum pistulatum, which could easily be a poor specimen of A. lanceolata. It has large oval sori on the undersurfaces of the fronds. This is a fern that grows on rocks, banks and tree trunks in lowland forests throughout New Zealand.
Photographs were taken in the bush below the Raumanga Falls in the Raumanga Scenic Reserve, Whangarei.
Photographs were taken in the bush below the Raumanga Falls in the Raumanga Scenic Reserve, Whangarei.
ADIANTUM
Adiantum cunninghamii: Common Maidenhair
BOTANICAL NAME: Adiantum cunninghamii is one of a number of Maidenhair ferns found in New Zealand. The sori (a cluster of sporangia, structures producing and containing spores in ferns and fungi) are found under the curved leaf margins. It is widely distributed throughout the New Zealand bush, but not in the central, east of the south Island. These photographs were taken on Mount Parihaka in Whangarei.
Adiantum diaphanum: Small Maidenhair - Filmy Maidenhair Fern.
BOTANICAL NAME: Adiantum diaphanum, Common Name, the small maidenhair or filmy maidenhair fern, is a species of fern in the genus Adiantum, native to East Asia and Australasia, from southern Japan south to New Zealand. It grows to 20 cm long at the most, with very dark green fronds covered with bristles. It is the smallest of the New Zealand native species of Adiantum. It is found throuhought new Zealand's North Island, and Nelson/Marlborough, and the kermadec Islands. it also grows in Norfolk island and Fiji.
Photographs taken in the fernery at Botanica, Whangarei.
Photographs taken in the fernery at Botanica, Whangarei.
ASPLENIUM
Asplenium bulbiferum: Hen And Chickens Fern - Mother Spleenwart - Pikopiko, Mauku or Mouku (Maori).
BOTANICAL NAME: Asplenium bulbiferum. Common Name, Hen And Chickens Fern. Mother spleenwort, or to the Maori as pikopiko, mouku or mauku. A. bulbiferum, is a fern species native to Australia and New Zealand. It is known as hen and chicken fern due to the gemmae or bulbils formed on the fronds. Hen and chicken ferns grow small bulbils on top of their fronds. Once grown to about 5 cm (2 in), these bulbils or gammae fall off and, provided the soil they land in is moist, develop a root system and grow into new ferns. This means of reproduction is easier to use for home garden propagation than spores. The hen and chicken fern commonly grows in most bush areas in New Zealand and is also grown commercially. It thrives in many situations from shade to partial sunlight, and is also suitable and popular as an indoor plant, including areas with low light. Photographs taken around the library at Forum North, Whangarei.
Asplenium flaccidum: Drooping Spleenwort.
BOTANICAL NAME: Asplenium flaccidum. Common Name, Drooping Spleenwort or Weeping Dpleenwort. A species of fern in the family Aspleniaceae. The species growa on trees and has long, drooping fronds, hence the name flaccidum, meaning drooping. It is common throughout the North Island of New Zealand and coastal South Island. Photographs taken in the Coronation Reserve Whangarei, Northland, NZ. October 2013.
Asplenium hispidulum: Rosy Maidenhair.
BOTANICAL NAME: Adiantum hispedulum. Common Name, Rosy Maidenhair fern. This species recognised by its distinctively forked fronds. it is found throughout the North Island and in the coastal top of Nelson Marlborough, down to Banks Peninsula and coastal Fiordland. In the North island it is most common from North cape to raglan. Photographs were taken in the Coronation Reserve, and the Mala Reserve, Hatea Road, Whangarei, growing on a damp bank.
Asplenium oblongifolium: Shining spleenwort - Huruhuru Whenua - Paranoko - Paretao.
BOTANICAL NAME: Asplenium oblongifolium. Common name, Shining Spleenwort. Maori names are Huruhuru Whenua, Paranoko, and Paretao. One of the most attractive native NZ ferns. It has broad, glossy fronds. It spreads via a thick rhizome, with frond blades up to 1 metre long, drooping, with pinnae that are finely serrated, and have long pointed tips. Sori are arranged in a herring bone form, up to 3cm long. A. oblongifolium is found in coatal bush throughout the North Island, but is common throughout the Northland peninsula, and Kermadecs. Also in a narrow coastal band in the South Island as far south as Banks Peninsula, east & Hokitika, west, and the Chathams. A. oblongifolium grows in shaded bush, is confined to New Zealand and can grow as a low epiphyte.
BLECHNUM
Blechnum discolour: Crown Fern - Sword Fern - Kiokio- Piupiu - Petipeti.
BOTANICAL NAME: Blechnum discolour. Commom name, Crown Fern, Maori name Kiokio. B. discolor is a species of fern in the family Blechnaceae. This species is native to New Zealand. It is found in forests throughout the North Island and in coastal forests around the South Island. it is also found on Stewart Island and the Chatham Islands. A very attractive fern.
Spores are produced on specialised fronds, which are more erect, and have a dark, burned look. These photographs were taken in the Coronation Reserve, Whangarei, growing around a large Kauri.
Spores are produced on specialised fronds, which are more erect, and have a dark, burned look. These photographs were taken in the Coronation Reserve, Whangarei, growing around a large Kauri.
CYATHEA.
Cyathea medullaris : Mamaku (Maori) - Black Tree Fern.
BOTANICAL NAME : Cyathea medullaris, Common name Mamaku - or black tree fern. A large tree fern up to 20 m tall. It is distributed across the south-west Pacific from Fiji to Pitcairn and New Zealand. Other Maori names are katātā, kōrau, or pītau.
Pictures show C. medullaris growing in the Waiarohia reserve (top), and in native bush (left). Great for planting in shaded areas behind or down the side of buildings or on shaded banks near water. Any partially shaded area that will allow it to grow to its height. Other native fern species e.g. C. dealbata (silver tree fern)can be grown around the base and will fill in the gaps as C. medullaris grows taller.
Pictures show C. medullaris growing in the Waiarohia reserve (top), and in native bush (left). Great for planting in shaded areas behind or down the side of buildings or on shaded banks near water. Any partially shaded area that will allow it to grow to its height. Other native fern species e.g. C. dealbata (silver tree fern)can be grown around the base and will fill in the gaps as C. medullaris grows taller.
Cyathea dealbata: Silver Fern -Silver Tree Fern - Kaponga - Ponga (Maori).
BOTANICAL NAME: Cyathea dealbata. Common name, silver tree fern or silver
fern, kaponga or ponga (Maori) A species of medium-sized tree fern which is not only native to New Zealand, but is the national emblem. It grows to heights of about 10 meters. The crown is dense, and the fronds tend to be about 4 meters long and have a silver-white colouration on the undersides, from which it gets its common name. Bushmen and bush walkers would use this silver underbelly colouration to lay along tracks for night walking.
It occurs on the main islands of New Zealand and on the Chatham Islands to the east, mostly in the
subcanopy areas of drier forests and in open scrub. It is known to grow well in well-drained compost, and shade. I will tolerate dry conditions when eastablished, so it makes a good plant for the shady side of houses, doing best when sheltered from winds. Photograph below shows silver fern frond top (Green) and underside (silver).
DICKSONIA
Dicksonia squarrosa: Wheki (Maori).
BOTANICAL NAME: Dicksonia squarrossa is the most common of the NZ Dicksonias, gtowing abundantly in the North Island and coastal South Island, apart from the Canterbury area, with the exception of Banks Peninsula. Dicksonia is a genus of tree ferns in the order Cyatheales. It is regarded as related to Cyathea, but is considered more primitive, dating back at least to the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods. The fossil record includes stems, pinnules, and spores. The genus contains 20-25 species, distributed from Mexico to Argentina, Uruguay and Chile, St. Helena, New Zealand, New Caledonia, Australia, Indonesia, New Guinea, and the Philippines. New Guinea has the greatest diversity, with five species.
An easily cultivated species of Dicksonia is D. antarctica, the soft tree fern. The genus was first described by Charles Louis L'Héritier de Brutelle in 1788. The name honors James Dickson, a prominent nurseryman and botanist. Photographs taken in Cafler Park and the Old Library Gardens, Whangarei.
An easily cultivated species of Dicksonia is D. antarctica, the soft tree fern. The genus was first described by Charles Louis L'Héritier de Brutelle in 1788. The name honors James Dickson, a prominent nurseryman and botanist. Photographs taken in Cafler Park and the Old Library Gardens, Whangarei.
DOODIA
Doodia media: Pukupuku (Maori) - Rasp Fern.
BOTANICAL NAME: Doodia media, also known as rasp fern or pukupuku in Māori, is a fern species in the Blechnaceae family. The species was formally described by botanist Robert Brown in 1810. Distribution of the species includes New Zealand's North Island and the upper part of the South Island (Nelson and Marlborough). It is also found in Australia and Lord Howe Island. Flavonoids colour the tips of young fronds pink. Young fronds contain flavonoids that protect them from ultraviolet radiation and give them a pink colour.
HYMENOPHYLLUM
Hymenophyllum species: Filmy Fern.
BOTANICAL NAME: Hymenophyllum species. Common Name, filmy Fern. The sub-tropical atmosphere in the northern bush, provides an ideal condition for filmy ferns to thrive. there are 21 species of filmy ferns in the New Zealand bush, most are found in the north island, but some are found in coastal regions of the South Island. together the genus Hymenophyllum, together with their relatives, the bristle ferns, Trichomanes, make up the largest number of any fern genus in new Zealand. in most forested areas, one or more species of filmy fern can be found. they are a very distinctive feature of the NZ Fern vegetation, and are named filmy ferns because of the fronds being delicate and semi-translucent looking. Some species grow on the trunks of trees, but in the Northland forest they are more commonly seen on the ground or on banks or rocks. filmy ferns vary from species with fronds no longer than 3cm long, to the largest at 40cm long. Photographs taken in the Coronation Reserve , Whangarei.
LYGODIUM
Lygodium articulatum: Mangemange (Maori).
BOTANICAL NAME: Lygodium articulatum: Common name, mangemange, which is the Maori name.. A species of climbing fern in a genus of about 40 species native to tropical regions across the world, with the species L. articulatum common in the Northland bush. It is the sole genus in the family Lygodiaceae, though included in the family Schizaeaceae by some botanists. L. articulatum climbs and scrambles over low growing vegetation until it gets a hold, then can reach the tops of the tallest trees. What appear to be woody climbing stems, are actually the midribs of the fronds, giving this species the longest fronds of any native fern.
Photographs taken on Mount Parihaka in Whangarei, New Zealand.
Photographs taken on Mount Parihaka in Whangarei, New Zealand.
MARATTIA
Marattia salicina; King Fern - Horseshoe Fern - Para (Maori).
BOTANICAL NAME: Marattia salicina. common Name, king Fern, although this name is also applied to other species. M. salicina is a very recognisable fern. It has thick, heavy, shinny fronds when healthy, and a tuber-like root. fronds may be up to four feet long, and up to one point five metres wide. the stipe, or frond base is thick and fleshy, up to one metre to the frond blades, which are a deep, glossy green. it is a magnificent fern. it is mainly found in Northland, Auckland, to the bay of Plenty. it is also found in Marlborough.
Photographs taken at Botanica in First Avenue, Whangarei.
Photographs taken at Botanica in First Avenue, Whangarei.
MICROSORUM
Microsorum pistulatum: Hounds Toung Fern - Kangaroo Fern - Kowaowao _ Paraharaha.
BOTANICAL NAME: Microsorum pustulatum (Kangaroo fern or
Hound's Tongue Fern, or the Maori names kōwaowao and Pāraharaha. This
species of fern belongs to the family Polypodiaceae . This species occurs widely in New
Zealand and also on the eastern coast of Australia, including Tasmania. An
example occurrence in the North Island of, New Zealand and is prolific in the Northland bush. A major characteristic of this fern is the range of frond shapes, that differ enough to lead one to think they are different species. In fact different frond shapes can occur on the one plant, from a single strap-like frond to a multi-fingered frond. Fronds are strap-like in younger plants, then gradually develop fingered fronds. Some fronds develop a very attractive sori (spore) pattern on the reverse of the frond (see picture)
Pictures were taken in the Coronation Reserve in Whangarei, although this species is common throughout New Zealand. It is more commonly known in NZ as the Hounds tongue Fern of Kowaoeao.
Hound's Tongue Fern, or the Maori names kōwaowao and Pāraharaha. This
species of fern belongs to the family Polypodiaceae . This species occurs widely in New
Zealand and also on the eastern coast of Australia, including Tasmania. An
example occurrence in the North Island of, New Zealand and is prolific in the Northland bush. A major characteristic of this fern is the range of frond shapes, that differ enough to lead one to think they are different species. In fact different frond shapes can occur on the one plant, from a single strap-like frond to a multi-fingered frond. Fronds are strap-like in younger plants, then gradually develop fingered fronds. Some fronds develop a very attractive sori (spore) pattern on the reverse of the frond (see picture)
Pictures were taken in the Coronation Reserve in Whangarei, although this species is common throughout New Zealand. It is more commonly known in NZ as the Hounds tongue Fern of Kowaoeao.
Microsorum scandens: Fragrant fern.
BOTANICAL NAME: Microsorum scandens. Common name, fragrant fern is a species of fern in
the family Polypodiaceae. This species occurs in parts of New Zealand and Australia. It grows extensively throughout the Northland bush. It begins life as a ground fern, with a one strap-like leaf. when it starts to clime its chosen host tree, it begins to change form into its adult foliage. It creeps by means of a slim rhizome. it is found in all coastal areas of the North Island, but not the central plateau. its only South Island representation is coastal Marlborough, Nelson & Westland.
Photographs were taken in the Coronation Reserve, Whangarei
the family Polypodiaceae. This species occurs in parts of New Zealand and Australia. It grows extensively throughout the Northland bush. It begins life as a ground fern, with a one strap-like leaf. when it starts to clime its chosen host tree, it begins to change form into its adult foliage. It creeps by means of a slim rhizome. it is found in all coastal areas of the North Island, but not the central plateau. its only South Island representation is coastal Marlborough, Nelson & Westland.
Photographs were taken in the Coronation Reserve, Whangarei
PYRROSIA
Purrosia eleagnifolia; Leather-leaf fern.
BOTANICAL NAME: Pyrrosia eleagnifolia> Common Name, the leather-leaf fern is a climbing fern found in New Zealand. P. eleagnifolia can either grow from the ground or as an epiphyte, photographs show P. eleagnifolia growing as an epiphyte on a Puriri tree (Vitex) in rge Waiarohia Reserve in Whangarei.
Leather-leaf fern has thick, undivided fronds that are rounded and varied in length.
Leather-leaf fern has thick, undivided fronds that are rounded and varied in length.
STICHERUS
Sticherus cunninghamii: umbrella Fern - waekura - tapuwae kotuku.
BOTANICAL NAME: Sticherus cunninghamii,. Common name, Umbrella Fern. The Maori names are Waikura and Tapuwae kotuku, the second Maori name means 'The footprint of the White heron'. It is a New Zealand native fern characterised by its drooping fronds that resemble an umbrella. The fronds are 15 - 30 cm long and it has an erect stalk between 20 and 50 cm high. The fern is found from lowland to mountainous forest in dry areas often with infertile soil. Photographs taken in the Coronation Reserve in Whangarei, above the Sub-Tropical Gardens.