Asplenium cuneatum

Aspleniaceae

Asplenium cuneatum Lam.

Link to Australian Plant Name Index for publication details and synonyms: https://id.biodiversity.org.au/name/apni/105304

Epiphytic or lithophytic ferns with semi-erect fronds. Rhizomes short-creeping, scaly. Stipe and rachis brown in lower half, becoming green above, abundantly scaly in lower part; stipe 7–22 cm long, 1–2 mm diam. Lamina 2–3-pinnate at base, ovate or triangular, 8–31 cm long, 4.5–22 cm wide, slightly leathery, sparsely scaly. Primary pinnae in 9–15 pairs, ovate to triangular or narrowly triangular; apices acute to obtuse (rarely acuminate); longest pinnae at or near base, 2.2–14 cm long, 1.5–5.5 cm wide. Secondary pinnae ovate or elliptic; bases unequally cuneate, mostly stalked; margins often deeply incised; apices rounded or truncate and toothed; longest secondary pinnae 9–28 mm long, 6–21 mm wide, sometimes divided into tertiary pinnae up to 14 mm long and 8 mm wide. Sori to 10 mm long, almost reaching margins. Perispores dark with fimbriate prominent broad ridges and tuberculate or ribbed lacunae; exospores 36.2–42.8 × 22.4–24.9 µm (means). 

Cape York Peninsula from the McIllwraith Range to Atherton Tableland NE QLD. Also Pantropical.

Subcanopy epiphyte or litophyte on rocks and boulders usually near creeks in rainforest.

An extremely widespread polymorphic species.