Australian Tropical Ferns and Lycophytes - Online edition

Davallia denticulata


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Close up of frond showing sori. © G. Sankowsky
Close up of frond showing sori. © CSIRO
Habit. © G. Sankowsky
Family

Davalliaceae

Botanical name

Davallia denticulata (Burm.f.) Mett. ex Kuhn

Link to Australian Plant Name Index for publication details and synonyms: https://id.biodiversity.org.au/name/apni/81522

Common name

Hares-Foot Fern

Description

Rhizome thick, not white waxy, densely covered with appressed reddish brown scales bearing many small marginal teeth. Fronds usually 3-pinnate, broadly triangular, 50–100 cm long, widest point of frond 15–45 cm, herbaceous. Stipe 10–40 cm long, glabrous except at extreme base; rachis glabrous. Pinnules deeply lobed, glabrous; margins denticulate; apex acute; false veins between pinnule veins, reaching from each sinus almost to fork of true veins. Sori marginal, each on a separate pinnule lobe, with an extended tooth on 1 or both sides; indusium elongate, attached at base and partially along sides.

Distribution

Occurs in NE QLD from Torres Strait to Eungella including continental islands. Also widespread in Palaeotropics.

Habit and habitat

Lithophytic or terrestrial in open forests and vine forest margins in rocky areas.

Natural history

Davallia denticulata is commonly drought deciduous. New fronds have a skeletal appearance.

Cultivation

Easy to cultivate in a container or on rocks in a garden in a well lit tropical garden or fernery.

Similar species

Similar to Davallia solida and Davallia pyxidata, but differing in D. denticulata being terrestrial (cf. epiphytic or lithophytic in other Davallia).

Citation of Australian Tropical Ferns and Lycophytes

Field AR, Quinn CJ, Zich FA (2022) Australian Tropical Ferns and Lycophytes. apps.lucidcentral.org/fern/text/intro/index.htm (accessed online INSERT DATE).

Field AR, Quinn CJ, Zich FA (2022) ‘Platycerium superbum’, in Australian Tropical Ferns and Lycophytes. apps.lucidcentral.org/fern/text/entities/platycerium_superbum.htm (accessed online INSERT DATE).

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