Doodia dissecta

Blechnaceae

Doodia dissecta Parris

Link to Australian Plant Name Index for publication details and synonyms: https://id.biodiversity.org.au/name/apni/177302

Rasp Fern

Rhizome short-creeping. Stipe without tubercles. Fronds dimorphic. Lamina pinnate, 6–31 cm long, 4–70 mm wide; apical lobe c. one-quarter to one-seventh of lamina length. Pinnae simple or at least some lobed to pinna midvein; lobes 1–3 pairs; pinnae in basal and middle parts of frond stalked, those in distal part decurrent on basiscopic side; longest fertile pinnae 2–60 mm long, 1–6 mm wide; rachis and pinna midvein without tubercles. Sori 1–10 mm or more long, 0.5–1 mm wide, usually confluent laterally and sometimes across pinna midvein when mature, in 1 row on each side of pinna midvein, nearer to midvein than margin, sometimes with indusium unbroken along sorus. 

Endemic to Eastern QLD between Cape Cleveland and Bigge Range.

Terrestrial in rocky areas in rainforest, dry vine forest and open woodland.

Readily cultivated in a container or in the ground in a semi-shaded tropical, subtropical or temperate garden or fernery.

Key to tropical Australian species of Doodia:

1a. Fronds strap-like and unlobed for more than half of their length = Doodia linearis

1b. Fronds pinnately lobed, not strap like for more than half their length = 2

2a. Pinnae sessile and decurrent throughout = Doodia aspera

2b. Lower pinnae stalked, upper pinnae sessile and decurrent = 3

3a. Transition from stalked to sessile decurrent pinnae abrupt over 1–3 pinna pairs = Doodia media

3b. Transition from stalked to sessile decurrent pinnae gradual over 4–6 pinna pairs = 4

4a. Lower and mid pinnae deeply pinnatifid or pinnatisect = Doodia dissecta

4b. Lower and mid pinnae simple, not as above = Doodia caudata