Rock felt fern

Pyrrosia rupestris

"Pyrrosia rupestris" is a common fern of eastern Australia. Occurring as an epiphyte or lithophyte in areas of part shade and high moisture. Usually found in rainforest or moist eucalyptus forest. Often seen on rainforest trees, quite high above the ground. However, it grows as far west at the more arid Warrumbungle National Park. In drought it shrinks and becomes desiccated. With rain or mist the fern recovers well.
Rock-Felt Fern - Pyrrosia rupestris Australia,Fern,New South Wales,Pyrrosia rupestris,Rock-Felt Fern,Sydney

Appearance

Leaves are round or tongue like in shape. 2 cm round, or up to 10 cm long and 1.5 cm broad. Sterile leaves round, fertile leaves long and tongue shaped. Round dark sori seen under the long leaves. Rhizomes orange brown in colour, long and creeping. Able to grasp onto rocks or tree trunks.

Naming

The name "Pyrrosia" is from the Greek which refers to the flame colour of the hairs that cover the fronds on some species. "Rupestris" means growing near rocks. Rock felt fern grows from Victoria north through New South Wales and Queensland to New Guinea.

References:

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Taxonomy
KingdomPlantae
DivisionPolypodiophyta
ClassPolypodiopsida
OrderPolypodiales
FamilyPolypodiaceae
GenusPyrrosia
SpeciesP. rupestris
Photographed in
Australia