Pouched coral fern

Gleichenia dicarpa

"Gleichenia dicarpa", commonly known as pouched coral fern or tangle fern, is a small fern of the family Gleicheniaceae found in eastern Australia, New Caledonia and New Zealand. It forms tangled thickets in wet places such as swamps and riverbanks.
Pouched Coral Fern  Australia,Geotagged,Gleichenia dicarpa,Pouched coral fern,Winter

Appearance

"G. dicarpa" consists of numerous fronds arising more or less vertically from a thin many branched rhizome. Each frond can reach 2 m in length with pinnae up to 4 cm long. The smallest end-branches, known as "pinnules", are a mere 1 to 1.5 mm long and recurved margins that give them a cup- or pouch shape. In fertile fronds, two spores lie within the pouch. It is these pouches which give the fern its common name. The spores are yellowish and darken to black when ripe. Fronds growing in sunnier areas often have a bleached yellow coloration.
Pouched Coral Fern  Australia,Geotagged,Gleichenia dicarpa,Pouched coral fern,Summer

Distribution

"G. dicarpa" is found throughout eastern Australia, from Queensland through New South Wales and Victoria and in Tasmania. It is widespread in Tasmania, where it is found up to altitudes of 900 m. It is widely distributed in New Zealand, where it is found on North, South and Stewart Islands, as well as the Chatham Islands. It is also found in New Caledonia.

A common plant, often seen growing under waterfalls, in peatlands, under cliffs and in tall open forest. It can grow in nutrient poor conditions, preferring high humidity and good levels of sunshine and moisture. Its tangled roots collect detritus and prevent erosion. It can also be a pioneer species of disturbed ground.
Coral Fern - Gleichenia dicarpa Closeup of fern frons Australia,Geotagged,Gleichenia dicarpa,Pouched coral fern,Summer

Habitat

"G. dicarpa" is found throughout eastern Australia, from Queensland through New South Wales and Victoria and in Tasmania. It is widespread in Tasmania, where it is found up to altitudes of 900 m. It is widely distributed in New Zealand, where it is found on North, South and Stewart Islands, as well as the Chatham Islands. It is also found in New Caledonia.

A common plant, often seen growing under waterfalls, in peatlands, under cliffs and in tall open forest. It can grow in nutrient poor conditions, preferring high humidity and good levels of sunshine and moisture. Its tangled roots collect detritus and prevent erosion. It can also be a pioneer species of disturbed ground.

References:

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Taxonomy
KingdomPlantae
DivisionPolypodiophyta
ClassPolypodiopsida
OrderGleicheniales
FamilyGleicheniaceae
GenusGleichenia
SpeciesG. dicarpa
Photographed in
Australia