320 
New Zealand Ferns 
( 131) P. Cunninghamii (Mr. Cunningham). A nar- 
row-leaved fern, with big oval patches of brown seeds 
on the under side. Somewhat similar in outline to P. 
serpens, but larger, very much thinner in texture, and 
green below, not covered with whitish scales. Usually 
climbing over trees and rocks. 
Description . — Roots short, knot-like, densely clothed with 
brown scales, emitting woolly rootlets, some of which creep and 
produce new tufts of fronds. Stalks gradually expanding into 
the leaf, sometimes bearing a dense tuft of scales at the base. 
Fronds 4 to 12 inches long by fin. to fin. broad, bright-green, 
rather fleshy, inclined to be firm, quite smooth. Midrib stout, con- 
spicuous. Seeds large, broadly oblong or rounded, prominent, in 
a single row on each side of the frond, nearer the midrib than 
the margin. 
North Island : In forests from the North Cape to Cook Strait, 
not uncommon. South Island: Nelson — Matai Valley; Marlbo- 
rough; Canterbury — Akaroa. Sea-level to 2,500 feet. 
A very abundant species in the Auckland district. It 
sometimes covers every stone, rock, tree-root and the 
lower trunk, over large areas, with a verdant tapestry of 
tender green fronds. Found also in the New Hebrides. 
