Cephalomanes atrovirens

Hymenophyllaceae

Cephalomanes atrovirens C.Presl

Link to Australian Plant Name Index for publication details and synonyms: https://id.biodiversity.org.au/name/apni/59529

Terrestrial. Rhizome erect, 1–1.5 mm diam.; roots clustered, stilt-like. Fronds 13–28 cm long, ±erect. Stipes tufted, 1–4.5 cm long, not winged; hairs scattered, spreading, dark red. Lamina narrowly elliptic to oblong, 1-pinnate, 10–25 cm long, 2–4 cm wide; herbaceous to almost coriaceous; dark green; rachis narrowly winged except at the base, glabrous above, densely covered beneath with crisped dark red hairs similar to those on the stipe. Pinnae overlapping, asymmetric, shortly stalked, narrowly oblong to oblong, 1–2 cm long; base unequally cuneate; basiscopic part of pinnae much-reduced with the margin bearing long upwardly-curved teeth; acroscopic and distal margins deeply and narrowly toothed; apex broadly rounded; veins free, pinnate; lateral veins forked, projecting into the marginal teeth, raised beneath; hairs appressed, glandular. Sori 1–6, confined to acroscopic pinna margin; involucre tubular, 1–2 mm long; base narrowly cuneate; apex slightly dilated; receptacle long-exserted to 6 mm beyond the mouth. 

NE QLD between Bloomfield and Johnstone River. Also widespread in Asia, Malesia and Pacific Islands.

Terrestrial or among rocks on creek banks in mesic lowland to lower montane vine forest.

Recognised by its neat rosette of very dark green pinnate fronds.