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NZ Plants


Asplenium northlandicum - parako, parenako, shore spleenwort


Spleenwort family: Aspleniaceae

Asplenium northlandicum has stout stems that often form thick woody masses above ground. It is a small fern with olive green, very thick and fleshy fronds.
Found on the Kermadec and Three Kings Islands and on the North Island on coastal rocks and scrub.
Formerly known as Asplenium obtusatum subsp. northlandicum
 

Vegetative characteristics

Fertile frond and sporangia

Plant form: stout stems bearing fronds to 400 mm

Frond appearance: similar to sterile frond

Frond stalk, midrib: scales ovate to linear

Sporangium location: on lower frond surface

Frond shape: ovate

Sporangium position: close to leaflet margin

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

Sporangia distribution: in groups (sori)

Frond surface: glossy, leathery

Sorus shape: linear

Leaflets: ovate to oblong, rounded -tipped, lightly- toothed to smooth margins

Sorus covering: linear covering (indusium)  opening toward midrib