Leptopteris fraseri

Osmundaceae

Leptopteris fraseri (Hook. & Grev.) C.Presl

Link to Australian Plant Name Index for publication details and synonyms: https://id.biodiversity.org.au/name/apni/62022

Rhizome short, erect, forming a slender trunk, 20–100 cm tall. Stipe 11–45 cm long, shiny, winged at base with 2 stipular extensions, pubescent; hairs pale ferruginous. Lamina 2-pinnate to 3-pinnate-pinnatifid, lanceolate to elliptic (juvenile ovate-deltoid), 30–100 cm long, 8–32 cm wide, membranous, semi-transparent, glabrous except primary and secondary rachises, dark green. Primary pinnae opposite to subopposite, lanceolate, jointed to rachis; midrib narrowly winged. Ultimate segments oblong-elliptic, serrate, obtuse or acute. Sporangia large, brown, restricted to lower half of ultimate segments in basal half of primary pinnae. 

Endemic to Mt Bartle Frere and Mt Bellenden Ker in NE QLD and the Blue Mountains in NSW.

Terrestrial among rocks around waterfalls, mountain streams and caves in mesic upper montane rainforest.

Extremely difficult to cultivate outside of its natural range and habitat.