Ferns: Native ferns

Bracken ferns 1

Pteridium, Histiopteris, Hypolepis
Family Dennstaedtiaceae, page 1
Most of the six genera in this family are opportunists, occupying disturbed habitats or invading agricultural land. They all have long creeping stems (rhizomes), and large highly divided fronds. The margins of leaflets curl under to cover the the marginal sori on the lower surface.
Page 2 :Paesia ( scented fern )


Pteridium esculentum, rārahu, bracken fern - A large fern with 20-400 cm long harsh fronds spreading aggessively by underground rhizomes. (photo, Iain MacDonald)	Pteridium esculentum, lower surface - The upper margin of the leaflet is curled under forming a lumpy ridge of tissue (green). To the inside of this there is a continuous row of sporangia (brown). (photo, Iain MacDonald) A food source Medicinal uses
Histiopteris incisa, matātā, water fern - This is a common fern along roadsides, streams, forest margins and thermal areas. The young fronds are a characteristic blue-green colour. (Photo, John Braggins)	Histiopteris incisa,underside of frond - The sporangia are arranged in a row (sorus) and are protected by the inrolled leaflet margin. (photo, John Braggins) Detail of the leaf with sori
Hypolepis dicksonioides, giant hypolepis - The broadly ovate fronds are 1-2 meters in length and are branched at acute angles to the frond axis. (photo, Larry Jensen) Rhizome of Hypolepis	Hypolepis dicksonioides, underside of frond - Both the stem and the frond surface is covered with glandular hairs. Localised portions of the frond margin are reflexed to form membranous coverings (indusia) over clusters of sporangia. (photo, Larry Jensen)

Page 2, Dennstaedtiaceae

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Some Native Ferns
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· Aspleniaceae (spleenworts)
· Blechnaceae (hard, rasp ferns)
· Cyatheaceae (black, silver tree ferns)
· Davalliaceae (Davallia fern)
· Dennstaedtiaceae (bracken ferns)
· Dicksoniaceae (rough tree ferns)
· Dryopteridaceae (scaly ferns)
· Gleicheniaceae (umbrella ferns)
· Grammitidaceae (finger ferns)
· Hymenophyllaceae (filmy ferns)
· Lindsaeaceae (lace fern)
· Loxsomataceae (loxsoma fern)
· Lygodiaceae (climbing ferns)
· Marattiaceae (King fern)
· Marsileaceae (pillwort)
· Ophioglossaceae (Parsley, adder's tongue ferns)
· Osmundaceae (crape ferns)
· Polypodiaceae (hound's tongue ferns)
· Psilotaceae (Whisk, fork ferns)
· Pteridaceae (brake ferns)
· Salviniaceae (Azolla fern)
· Schizaeaceae (comb ferns)
· Thelypteridaceae (soft, gully ferns)

Ferns: Native ferns

Bracken ferns 1

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