Species

Pteris saxatilis

Etymology

Pteris: A fern known to the ancient Greeks; from the Greek pteris

Current Conservation Status

2012 - Not Threatened

Conservation status of New Zealand indigenous vascular plants, 2012
The conservation status of all known New Zealand vascular plant taxa at the rank of species and below were reassessed in 2012 using the New Zealand Threat Classification System (NZTCS). This report includes a statistical summary and brief notes on changes since 2009 and replaces all previous NZTCS lists for vascular plants. Authors: Peter J. de Lange, Jeremy R. Rolfe, Paul D. Champion, Shannel P. Courtney, Peter B. Heenan, John W. Barkla, Ewen K. Cameron, David A. Norton and Rodney A. Hitchmough. File size: 792KB

Previous Conservation Status

2009 - Not Threatened
2004 - Not Threatened

Authority

Pteris saxatilis Carse

Family

Pteridaceae

Flora Category

Vascular - Native

NVS Species Code

PTESAX

The National Vegetation Survey (NVS) Databank is a physical archive and electronic databank containing records of over 94,000 vegetation survey plots - including data from over 19,000 permanent plots. NVS maintains a standard set of species code abbreviations that correspond to standard scientific plant names from the Ngä Tipu o Aotearoa - New Zealand Plants database.

Structural Class

Ferns

Distribution

Endemic. New Zealand: North and South Islands from North Cape to Taranaki, thence disjunct to North-West Nelson and the Marlborough Sounds.

Habitat

Mostly coastal, though occasionally recorded well inland. Usually in open habitats such as grassy and/or rubble strewn slopes, in open forest, or amongst flax (Phormium tenax), Cyperus ustulatus (or C. insularis) and carices at the bank of boulder or cobble beaches.

Features

Terrestrial ferns. Rhizomes short, erect, scaly. Stipes 80-200 mm long, pale brown, glabrous or scaly at very base. Laminae 0.15-0.5 × 0.12-0.25 m, dark green to yellow-green, 2-3-pinnate at base, ovate, coriaceous, veins reticulate. Pinnae not overlapping, distinctly widely spaced; most lower secondary pinnae adnate. Ultimate segments 5-10 × 3-5 mm, oblong, apices tapering or bluntly pointed, margins toothed (often deeply so). Sori continuous along pinna margins on a marginal vein, protected by a membranous inrolled pinna margins.

Similar Taxa

Pteris saxatilis is most similar to P. macilenta which superficially appears to be merely a larger form of it. Pteris saxatilis differs from P. macilenta by the very widely spaced primary and secondary pinnae; laminae 0.15-0.5 × 0.12-0.25 m, and the ultimate segments up to 15 × 5 mm. Although Brownsey & Smith-Dodsworth (2000) state that intergrades exist between P. saxatilis and both P. comans and P. macilenta, this seems more likely to refer to hybrids between P. saxatilis and P. comans than any involving P. macilenta, which is genetically very distinct from both P. comans and P. saxatilis and unable to hybridise with them (J.E. Braggins pers. comm.). The New Zealand form of Pteris comans differs from both P. macilenta and P. saxatilis by the coriaceous (leathery) fronds, reticulate venation, overlapping pinnae and large ultimate segments

Flowering

Not applicable - spore producing

Flower Colours

No Flowers

Fruiting

Not applicable - spore producing

Propagation Technique

Brownsey & Smith-Dodsworth (2000) suggest that cultivation of Pteris saxatilis is difficult. However, rather like P. comans, it would seem better to say that results are variable. Pteris saxatilis seems to thrive best when planted in semi-shade, in a deep, free draining, fertile but light soil. It often responds well to regular applications of lime.

Threats

Not Threatened

Chromosome No.

2n = 58

Endemic Taxon

Yes

Endemic Genus

No

Endemic Family

No

Where To Buy

Pteris saxatilis is very rarely available from specialist native plant nurseries.

Taxonomic Notes

According to the unpublished research of J.E. Braggins the correct name for Pteris saxatilis is in fact P. maclienta A.Rich. However, until such time as that research is published, and in line with other published works (e.g., Brownsey & Smith-Dodsworth 2000), the current usage of the names P. macilenta and P. saxatilis is retained.

Attribution

Fact sheet prepared for NZPCN by P.J. de Lange (17 January 2012). Description adapted from Brownsey & Smith-Dodsworth (2000).

References and further reading

Brownsey, P.J.; Smith-Dodsworth, J.C. 2000: New Zealand Ferns and Allied Plants. Auckland, David Bateman.

This page last updated on 13 Jan 2014