Lindsaea ensifolia

Lindsaeaceae

Lindsaea ensifolia Sw.

Link to Australian Plant Name Index for publication details and synonyms: https://id.biodiversity.org.au/name/apni/112846

Rhizome short- to long-creeping, 1–2.5 mm diam.; scales narrowly triangular, to 2 mm long, pale reddish brown. Fronds monomorphic. Stipes distant, 10–35 cm long, usually shorter than lamina, stramineous to reddish brown. Lamina 1-pinnate, narrowly oblong, narrowly ovate or ±linear, 15–45 (–50) cm long; Pinnules spreading to strongly ascending, narrowly ovate to linear, only moderately reduced towards apex; base ±asymmetrical; apex acute to obtuse, sometimes acuminate. Terminal pinnule similar in shape and size to laterals, usually free, occasionally connected with 1 or 2 uppermost lateral pinnules; midrib distinct. Sori continuous; indusium 0.3–0.5 mm wide, entire. Spores trilete, pale brown.

Widespread in tropical and subtropical Australia. Also widespread in the Palaeotropics.

Terrestrial in a wide variety of forested and open woodland habitats, often near creeks or soaks.

An extremely widespread fern with two lamina dissection forms. Lindsaea ensifolia subsp. ensifolia is pinnate with a undivided terminal and basal lateral pinnae and Lindsaea ensifolia subsp. agatii is bipinnate with a decressent aspect and pinnate to pinnatifid basal lateral pinnae.

The combination of anastomosing veins, narrowly ovate to lanceolate pinnae and yellow-brown stipe distinguish this species from other Australian Lindsaea. Lindsaea ensifolia is similar to Lindsaea walkerae but has a paler stipe.