328 
New Zealand Ferns 
( 134) P. novae zealandiae (New Zealand). Though 
closely allied to P. Billardieri, this is a larger fern, the 
creeping root much stouter and covered with shaggy 
brown scales; the leaflets narrower, more pointed and 
more symmetrical. Confined to the forest country in the 
centre of the North Island. 
Description . — Root long, stout, woody, as thick as the finger, 
densely clothed with tawny scales. Stalks 6 to 12 inches long, 
firm, erect, pale-brown, shining, quite naked. Fronds scattered 
along the root, large, 1 to 4 feet long by 6 to 14 inches broad, 
texture rather firm, dark-green, quite smooth. Seeds large, round, 
forming a single row on each side of the midrib. 
North Island: Te Aroha, Pirongia, Karioi Mountain, Lake 
YVaikaremoana, Waimarino Forest to the west of Ruapehu. 
Usually on logs or climbing up trees; rarely on the ground. 
1.5C0 to 3,000 feet. 
An extremely handsome species, apparently confined 
to the central portion of the North Island. Mr. Field 
never succeeded in growing it, though he took consider- 
able pains. Found only in New Zealand. 
