Doodia linearis

Blechnaceae

Doodia linearis J.Sm.

Link to Australian Plant Name Index for publication details and synonyms: https://id.biodiversity.org.au/name/apni/177308

Rasp Fern

Rhizome short-creeping. Stipe without tubercles. Fronds dimorphic. Fertile lamina pinnate, 8.5–44.5 cm long, 6–18 mm wide; apical lobe c. half to two-thirds of lamina length. Pinnae simple, adnate to rachis apart from basal 1 or 2 pairs which are stalked; longest fertile pinnae 2–11 mm long, 2–4 mm wide; rachis and pinna midvein without tubercles. Sori 0.7–10 mm or more long, 0.5–1 mm wide, usually confluent laterally and across pinna midvein when mature, 1 or 2 rows on pinnae including apical lobe; inner row nearer midvein; outer row nearer margin. 

Endemic to NE and SE QLD with scattered populations between Atherton and Eumundi.

Terrestrial in wet sclerophyll forest or rainforest margins.

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