Microsorum punctatum

Polypodiaceae

Microsorum punctatum (L.) Copel.

Link to Australian Plant Name Index for publication details and synonyms: https://id.biodiversity.org.au/name/apni/117035

Rhizome short- to long-creeping, not dorsiventrally flattened, sparsely scaly. Scales 1.5–4 mm long, 1–2.5 mm wide, ovate to broadly ovate, narrowed rather abruptly above rounded base; cells in central portion larger and thick-walled; marginal cells smaller and thin-walled; margins irregularly dentate; apex acute. Fronds scattered, c. 1 cm or more apart. Stipe indistinct; basal 0.5–3 cm unwinged. Lamina simple, narrowly elliptic, (14–) 27–113 (–150) cm long, 2.7–11 cm wide, pale green or yellow-green, coriaceous, glabrous, tapering to an acute or sometimes obtuse or rounded apex, narrowing gradually to base; margins entire or slightly undulate; midrib prominent, pale green or yellow-green; main lateral veins usually obvious, at least in dried fronds, angled at 60°–65° to rachis; remaining veins obscure. Sori numerous, 0.5–1.5 mm diam., scattered over lower surface of distal half of frond, not or only very slightly impressed into lamina. Spores 37.5–70 µm long, 22.5–40 µm wide. 

Occurs along the E coast of QLD from Torres Strait to Stradbroke Island. Also known from tropical west Africa, Asia and Pacific Islands.

Epiphytic, lithophytic or terrestrial in a wide variety of seasonally dry vine forests. Common in beach scrubs and in boulder-pile vegetation where it forms expansive stands.

A very drought tolerant CAM fern.

Easily cultivated in the ground or in a container in a tropical or subtropical garden or fernery. This species may be invasive in some situations.

Similar to Microsorum australiense

1a. Plants epiphytic, rhizome short-creeping, dorsiventrally flattened, lamina thin, bright green, <4 cm wide, lateral veins 45–50 degrees to midrib, spores 100 x 67 µM = Microsorum australiense

1b. Plants lithophytic or terrestrial, rhizome medium to long creeping, not dorsi-ventrally flattened, lamina leathery, <11 cm wide, yellow-green lateral veins 60–65 degrees to midrib, spores 70 x 40 µM = Microsorum punctatum