Pronephrium triphyllum

Thelypteridaceae

Pronephrium triphyllum (Sw.) Holttum

Link to Australian Plant Name Index for publication details and synonyms: https://id.biodiversity.org.au/name/apni/108798

Rhizome long-creeping, c. 2–3 mm diam., covered with short hooked hairs and a few scattered scales; scales thick, dark brown, with scattered hairs on margins and surfaces. Fronds dimorphic, to c. 65 cm long. Stipe of sterile fronds 7–20 cm long; stipe of fertile fronds 20–50 cm long, ±tinged dull red, rather sparsely hairy; hairs as on rhizome. Lamina trifoliate, consisting of terminal pinna and 1 pair of opposite lateral pinnae 5–20 mm below it; terminal pinna 10–18 cm long; when sterile 2.5–4 cm wide; when fertile 1–2.5 cm wide; sterile lateral pinnae short-stalked, 5–10 cm long, 1.5–3 cm wide; fertile lateral pinnae similar to sterile but 1–2.5 cm wide; costules of terminal pinna 4–4.5 mm apart; veins 10–12 pairs at a very obtuse angle to costule, almost all anastomosing; veinlets often free, excurrent; lower surface of costae and veins bearing hooked hairs. Sori running almost the entire length of the veins, exindusiate; sporangia with short, hooked hairs near the annulus and often a 2-celled hair on the stalk.

Wet Tropics of NE QLD from Endeavour River to Tully River. Also in Malesia and Pacific Islands.

Terrestrial in mesic lowland to mid-montane vine forest on a variety of geologies.

Readily cultivated in a container of free draining mix in a moist shaded tropical garden or fernery.

Pronephrium asperum and Pronephrium triphyllum

Key to Australian Pronephrium spp.:

1a. Fronds trifoliate, lateral pinnae smaller than terminal pinna, pinna margins entire = Pronephrium triphyllum

1b. Fronds with more than three pinnae, lateral pinnae similar in size to terminal pinnae, pinna margins crenate = Pronephrium asperum