Although R.M.Laing (Trans. & Proc. New Zealand Inst. 48: 236, 1916) claimed to differentiate between Pteris brunoniana and P. incisa, his specimens (examined on loan from CHR), which correspond to his descriptions and figures, can be matched by specimens in a range of material from New Zealand and Australia, showing them to be different growth forms of the same species.
gen. DENNSTAEDTIACEAE
22. HYPOLEPIS
HypolepisBernh. Neues J. Bot. 1(2): 34(1805) from the Greek hypo- (under) and lepis (a scale), in allusion to the sori protected beneath a reflexed portion of the margin in these ferns
Type: H. tenuifolia (G.Forst.) Bernh. ex C.Presl
Rhizome hairy, scurfy or glabrous, lacking scales. Fronds distant; stipe stout, continuous with rhizome; lamina 2–5-pinnate, glabrous or hairy, often glandular; veins free; pinnules sessile, rachis grooved above. Sori marginal or submarginal, rounded, discrete, usually indusiate from a ±reflexed marginal flap of the lamina; paraphyses rarely present.
A mainly tropical genus of c. 45 species, with extensions into the warm temperate regions of the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, including South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.
1 Primary rachis and its branches with both glandular and non-glandular hairs, predominantly glandular, viscid when fresh (N.Is.)
2 Hairs on lamina undersurface stoutish, 0.2–1.5 mm long; indusial flap green at base, membranous at apex, tapering, often bearing glandular hairs on margin
1. H. dicksonioides
2: Hairs on lamina undersurface fine, 0.1–1 mm long; indusial flap mostly membranous, broad, sometimes bearing glandular hairs on outer surface
2. H. tenuifolia
1: Primary rachis and its branches with non-glandular hairs only (L.H.Is.)
Cheilanthes dicksonioides Endl., Prodr. Fl. Norfolk. 15 (1833); Hypolepis endlicherianum C.Presl, Tent. Pterid. 162 (1836), nom. illeg.T: Norfolk Island, F.L.Bauer; holo: W. Named from a presumed similarity of the fronds to those of Dicksonia.
[Polypodium rugulosum auct. non Labill.: S.F.L.Endlicher, op. cit. 7]
[Cheilanthes arborescens auct. non Sw.: S.F.L.Endlicher, op. cit. 15]
[Hypolepis tenuifolia auct. non (G.Forst.) Bernh. ex C.Presl: W.J.Hooker & J.G.Baker, Syn. Fil. 2nd edn, 129 (1874) p.p.; R.M.Laing, Trans. & Proc. New Zealand Inst. 47: 14 (1915); J.S.Turner et al., Conservation Norfolk Is. 30 (1968)]
[Phegopteris punctata auct. non (Thunb.) Mett.: J.H.Maiden, Proc. Linn. Soc. New South Wales 28: 730 (1904)]
[Dryopteris punctata auct. non (Thunb.) C.Chr.: R.M.Laing, Trans. & Proc. New Zealand Inst. 47: 10 (1915)]
[Hypolepis punctata auct. non (Thunb.) Mett.: J.S.Turner et al., Conservation Norfolk Is. 30 (1968)]
Illustrations: P.J.Brownsey & R.J.Chinnock, New Zealand J. Bot. 22: 66 (1984); P.J.Brownsey & R.J.Chinnock, J. Adelaide Bot. Gard. 10: 5, fig. 2C, 23, fig. 11 (1987); P.J.Brownsey & J.C.Smith-Dodsworth, New Zealand Ferns & Allied Pl. 96, fig. 117, 98, fig. 120, t. 22B (1989).
Rhizome apex densely covered with pale brown hairs. Fronds: stipe 30–60 (–100) cm tall, with pale glandular and non-glandular hairs when young; lamina 30–100 cm long or more, almost as wide, bipinnate at apex, becoming 3- or 4-pinnate towards base; rachis and its branches viscid with soft, pale glandular and non-glandular hairs 0.2–1.5 mm long, especially above; hairs on undersurface of lamina stoutish, 0.2–1.5 mm long; primary pinnae ±opposite, 15–50 cm long. Sori marginal, associated with ultimate segments, protected when young by reflexed, ear-like marginal lobes of lamina; lobes 0.3–0.8 mm wide, mostly green at base, membranous at apex, tapering, often with a few marginal, glandular hairs.
Ground Fern, Brake Fern.
Fig. 104A–B.v*****_f*****.jpg
Norfolk Is. Rare. Also known from the Kermadec Is., New Zealand (North Is. and the northernmost parts of South Is.), Samoa, the Society Is. and the Marquesas Is.
