Lindsaea microphylla

Lindsaeaceae

Lindsaea microphylla Sw.

Link to Australian Plant Name Index for publication details and synonyms: https://id.biodiversity.org.au/name/apni/113430

Rhizome short-creeping, 1–2 mm diam.; scales to 2.5 mm long, pale reddish-brown to golden-brown. Fronds monomorphic. Stipes closely spaced, 4–15 cm long, stramineous to pale reddish-brown or mottled, darker at base. Lamina 2–3-pinnate, narrowly oblong to narrowly ovate, c. 10–50 cm long, (2–) 4–6 cm wide. Pinnae strongly ascending, ovate to deltate, ±alternate, smaller above, more distant below. Pinnules flabellate to cuneate, sessile to shortly stalked, 2–4 mm long and wide; fertile pinnules entire or variously incised, with straight or slightly convex lateral margins and a truncate irregular outer margin; sterile pinnules usually larger, with a crenate or dentate outer margin. Veins free, forked 1–2 times. Sori on (1–) 2–4 vein endings; indusium c. 0.5 mm wide, pale, extending to the margin. Spores trilete (with a tendency towards being monolete), golden-brown, with prominent ridges. 

Endemic to E Australia from Daintree NE QLD to East Gippsland Vic.

Terrestrial in open sclerophyll woodland.

The combination of a commonly tripinnate lamina with pinnules 2–4 mm long distinguish this species from other Australian Lindsaea.