Asplenium paleaceum

Aspleniaceae

Asplenium paleaceum R.Br.

Link to Australian Plant Name Index for publication details and synonyms: https://id.biodiversity.org.au/name/apni/105787

Ferns with semi-erect or pendent fronds, often shrivelled when dry. Rhizome short-creeping, scaly. Stipe and rachis dark brown on underside, green above, densely scaly; stipe 1–12 cm long, 1–1.5 mm diam.; rachis sometimes extending beyond uppermost pinnae and often proliferous at apex. Lamina ±linear to very narrowly elliptic, pinnate, 7–40 cm long, 1.8–6 cm wide, dark green; underside abundantly scaly. Pinnae in 10–35 pairs, from broadly ovate or ovate at base to ±oblong or elliptic at mid-frond, sometimes with an enlarged basal acroscopic lobe; bases unequally cuneate, shortly stalked; margins sharply and irregularly incised; apices obtuse; longest pinnae near middle, 8–35 mm long, 5–17 mm wide, gradually reducing upwards to an attenuate apical portion. Sori to 10 mm long. Perispores dark with fimbriate wings and smooth or veined lacunae; exospores 34.7–38.7 × 24.8–27.4 µm (means). 

Endemic to NE QLD from McIllwraith Range to Maryborough.

Terrestrial or lithophytic usually near creeks in rainforest.