Blechnopsis orientalis

Blechnaceae

Blechnopsis orientalis (L.) C.Presl

Link to Australian Plant Name Index for publication details and synonyms: https://id.biodiversity.org.au/name/apni/213827

Rhizome forming an erect trunk. Sterile and fertile fronds similar, 22–130 cm or more long, 8–54 cm or more wide. Stipe 1–9 cm long, dark purplish; scales narrow, subulate, mostly entire, brown to reddish brown. Lamina lanceolate to ovate, pinnate, with 6–33 or more pairs of pinnae (excluding auricles); pinnae narrowly lanceolate, 5–21 cm long, 5–20 mm wide, sessile or partly adnate at base of lamina, increasingly adnate basiscopically towards lamina apex; margins entire; basal pinnae gradually reduced to small rounded auricles; rachis and costae pale pinkish brown, glabrous or with sparse irregular hairs and slender reddish brown scales. Sori close to and on either side of costa. Spores 43 × 33 µm; perine smooth to rugulose to scaberulous, sometimes alate; exine smooth to scaberulous to minutely verrucose, with granulose to vermiculate envelope. 2n = c. 64–66, M.D.Tindale, pers. comm. 

Occurs in tropical WA, NT and QLD. Also widespread in Asia, Malesia and Pacific Islands.

Terrestrial in a wide variety of vegetation communities usually on wet banks in sunlit areas. It is a common pioneer of roadbanks in rainforest areas and can form large colonies.

The small auricles along the stipe make this species easy to identify. New fronds are often pinkish-orange.

Grows well in a large tub or in the ground in a well lit fernery or garden in tropical areas.