Pyrrosia eleagnifolia, commonly known as the leather-leaf fern, or ota in Māori, is a climbing fern endemic to New Zealand. P. eleagnifolia has thick, fleshy rounded leaves, and grows both on the ground and as an epiphyte.
This species was originally confused with Pyrrosia serpens, a Pacific species. The name eleagnifolia refers to the leaf appearance, and comes from elaeagnus (olive) and folium (leaf).[1]
Leather-leaf fern has thick, undivided fronds that are rounded and extremely variable in length – they can be long and thin, up to 20 cm in length, or short and broad (2 cm, rarely 3 cm wide).[1] The fronds grow on long creeping rhizomes. Sterile fronds are generally shorter and broader than fertile ones. The fronds are thick and leathery, smooth and rounded, with blunt ends. They are dark green above and abundantly covered with light-brown irregularly-branched hairs underneath.[2]
Distributionedit
P. eleagnifolia is found throughout New Zealand, from the Kermadecs through to Stewart Island and the Chatham Islands.[2] It is a very adaptable and durable species, able to tolerate dry conditions, and grows either as an epiphyte on trees (native or introduced) or on rocks, from the coast to the mountains.[2] It is less common in the south of New Zealand, especially in Central Otago.[1]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Pyrrosia eleagnifolia.
Wikispecies has information related to Pyrrosia eleagnifolia.
^ abc"Pyrrosia eleagnifolia (Bory) Hovenkamp". Flora of New Zealand. Landcare Research. Retrieved 6 April 2019.
^ abcBrownsey, Patrick J.; Smith-Dodsworth, John C. (1989). New Zealand Ferns and Allied Plants. Auckland: David Bateman. p. 66. ISBN1869530039.
^Patrick, Brian H. (2015-07-01). "Leather-leaf fern's moth fauna". The Weta. 49: 23–27.
April 11, 2024
pyrrosia, eleagnifolia, commonly, known, leather, leaf, fern, māori, climbing, fern, endemic, zealand, eleagnifolia, thick, fleshy, rounded, leaves, grows, both, ground, epiphyte, scientific, classificationkingdom, plantaeclade, tracheophytesdivision, polypodi. Pyrrosia eleagnifolia commonly known as the leather leaf fern or ota in Maori is a climbing fern endemic to New Zealand P eleagnifolia has thick fleshy rounded leaves and grows both on the ground and as an epiphyte Pyrrosia eleagnifoliaScientific classificationKingdom PlantaeClade TracheophytesDivision PolypodiophytaClass PolypodiopsidaOrder PolypodialesSuborder PolypodiineaeFamily PolypodiaceaeGenus PyrrosiaSpecies P eleagnifoliaBinomial namePyrrosia eleagnifolia Bory HovenkampSynonymsPolypodium eleagnifolium Bory Polypodium rupestre var sinuatum Colenso Polypodium stellatum Vahl Polypodium serpens G Forst Niphobolus bicolor Kaulf Polypodium rupestre R Br Contents 1 Name 2 Description 3 Distribution 4 Ecology 4 1 Pests and diseases 5 ReferencesName editThis species was originally confused with Pyrrosia serpens a Pacific species The name eleagnifolia refers to the leaf appearance and comes from elaeagnus olive and folium leaf 1 Description edit nbsp P eleagnifolia growing on rocks in Wellington Botanic GardenLeather leaf fern has thick undivided fronds that are rounded and extremely variable in length they can be long and thin up to 20 cm in length or short and broad 2 cm rarely 3 cm wide 1 The fronds grow on long creeping rhizomes Sterile fronds are generally shorter and broader than fertile ones The fronds are thick and leathery smooth and rounded with blunt ends They are dark green above and abundantly covered with light brown irregularly branched hairs underneath 2 Distribution editP eleagnifolia is found throughout New Zealand from the Kermadecs through to Stewart Island and the Chatham Islands 2 It is a very adaptable and durable species able to tolerate dry conditions and grows either as an epiphyte on trees native or introduced or on rocks from the coast to the mountains 2 It is less common in the south of New Zealand especially in Central Otago 1 Ecology editPests and diseases edit Larvae from several moth species have been observed feeding on the leaves and sori of P eleagnifolia These include Sarisa muriferata Calicotis crucifera Philocryptica polypodii Apoctena taipana Eudonia zophochlaena Scoparia illota and Scoparia molifera 3 References edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Pyrrosia eleagnifolia nbsp Wikispecies has information related to Pyrrosia eleagnifolia a b c Pyrrosia eleagnifolia Bory Hovenkamp Flora of New Zealand Landcare Research Retrieved 6 April 2019 a b c Brownsey Patrick J Smith Dodsworth John C 1989 New Zealand Ferns and Allied Plants Auckland David Bateman p 66 ISBN 1869530039 Patrick Brian H 2015 07 01 Leather leaf fern s moth fauna The Weta 49 23 27 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Pyrrosia eleagnifolia amp oldid 1183113848, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
