Oceaniopteris cartiliginea

Blechnaceae

Oceaniopteris cartiliginea (Sw.) Gasper & Salino

Link to Australian Plant Name Index for publication details and synonyms: https://id.biodiversity.org.au/name/apni/8028969

Gristle Fern

Rhizome short-creeping to erect. Sterile and fertile fronds similar, 20–50 (–200) cm long, 4–20 (–34) cm wide. Stipe 8–20 (–70) cm long, brown to stramineous, blackening at base; basal scales subulate, entire, black; scale scars above. Lamina deltoid to ovate, pinnate, with 12–25 (–50) pairs of pinnae; rachis and costae stramineous to brown, glabrous or with sparse scales and hairs; sterile pinnae linear-lanceolate, 2–19 cm long, 6–15 mm wide, acuminate, adnate or semi-adnate throughout with broad bases with margins serrate; basal pinnae similar or longer and deflexed; fertile pinnae similar or slightly narrower. Spores 38 × 28 µm; perine scaberulous; exine smooth to granulose.

Endemic to E Australia from Iron Range QLD to Vic.

Terrestrial in rainforest and closed wet sclerophyll forest in a wide variety of situations. This species occurs throughout the forest floor and is not restricted to areas near creeks or soaks.

The tropical population is characterised by having an erect rhizome and discontinuous sori.

Readily grown in a wide variety of situations over a broad range of eastern Australia.