Blechnum parrisiae

Rhizomes short, covered with black or brown scales. Sterile and fertile fronds similar. Fronds linear-lanceolate in outline, to 60 cm or so long, 3-5 cm wide, slightly prickly. Segments near base of frond with stalks. Stalk with scattered brown scales. Sori in 1 or 2 rows each side of the midvein.

Will tolerate cool conditions.

E Australia, Lord Howe I., Norfolk I., NZ, Pacific.

Sterile and fertile fronds similar; rough and tough with black, warty stalks; segments attached by midrib only along less than one third of frond blade.

 

Doodia squarrosa Colenso from Qld and NZ is occasionally sold; it has different fertile and sterile fronds and more or less hairless blades that are elliptic in outline.

Source: Spencer, R. (1995). Blechnaceae. In: Spencer, R.. Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 1, Ferns, conifers & their allies. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press. (as Doodia media)

kingdom Plantae
phylum   Tracheophyta
class    Polypodiopsida
order     Polypodiales
family      Blechnaceae
genus       Blechnum L.