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NZ Plants

Adiantum fulvum - maidenhair fern

Family name: Pteridaceae

Adiantum fulvum is a terrestrial fern with short creeping stems (rhizomes) bearing spreading dark green fronds. The frond stalk (stipe), midrib (rachis) and the underside of the dark green and oblong leaflets are covered with hairs.
An endemic species commonly found on the upper half of the North Island and as isolated populations south to the Banks Peninsula. .

Vegetative characteristics

Fertile frond and sporangia

Plant form: creeping stems with fronds up to 35 cm in length

Frond appearance: similar to sterile frond

Frond stalk, midrib: covered with hairs

Sporangium location: on lower frond surface

Frond shape: broadly oval

Sporangium position: in shallow notch beneath reflexed leaflet margin

Frond blade: 2-3-pinnate (divided 2-3x into leaflets or pinnae)

Sporangia distribution: in groups (sori)

Frond surface: hairs on lower surface

Sorus shape: circular

Leaflets: oblong, curved upward at tip; irregularly lobed outer margin; stalk attached at one end

Sorus covering: kidney-shaped marginal flap

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