312 
New Zealand Ferns 
(125) P. australe (southern). A small fern, with a 
narrow undivided leaf, seldom more than 6 inches long; 
usually found growing in small tufts upon rocks and 
tree trunks; seeds rather large for so small a plant, in 
a slanting row on either side of the midrib. 
Description .— Roots very short, erect, or oblique, crowned 
with copious brown scales. Fronds numerous, crowded together, 
1 to 6 inches long by Jin. toJin. broad, green to dark-green, 
smooth, texture firm. Seeds in a single row on each side of the 
midrib, nearer to it than to the margin, oblong, oblique. 
Not uncommon throughout the Dominion. 
This species is not difficult to cultivate if part of the 
bark in which the roots are embedded is removed with 
the fern. 
A very variable little plant, found also in Australia 
and Tasmania, Chili, Fuegia, Tristan d’Acunha, and 
Marion Island. 
(126) Var. villosum (hairy). Stalks, margins, and 
the under surface of the fronds more or less covered 
with long spreading hairs, often partially concealing 
the seed. Much the same habitat as P. australe. 
(127) Var. pumilum (dwarfed). Small, very densely 
matted. Root stout, creeping, sometimes i to 2 inches 
long, fronds -3-in. to fin. long, very thick and leathery, 
smooth or obscurely hairy beneath. Seeds large, round- 
ish, solitary, usually near the tip of the frond. In moun- 
tain districts from East Cape southwards, ascending to 
over 5,000 feet. 
