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NZ Plants

Lecanopteris scandens (Microsorum scandens) - mokimoki, fragrant fern

Family: Polypodiaceae

Microsorum scandens is an epiphyte with a thin creeping to climbing stem (rhizome) covered in blackish-brown scales. Adult fronds are a dull dark green, thin and divided. Formerly known as Phymatosorus scandens.

Found throughout New Zealand creeping on the ground, rocks or climbing trees in damp lowland forest.
 

Vegetative characteristics

Fertile frond and sporangia

Plant form: erect stem bearing fronds up to 70 cm

Frond appearance: similar to sterile frond

Frond stalk, midrib: stipe pale brown, sparsely hairy

Sporangium location: lower frond surface

Frond shape: narrowly elliptic

Sporangium position: in one row either side of midrib

Frond blade: pinnate (divided 1x into leaflets or pinnae)

Sporangia distribution: in groups (sori)

Frond surface: thin, dull

Sorus shape: circular

Leaflets: linear, smooth margins, tapering towards tip

Sorus covering: 0

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