 Photo ©
Carl Farmer |
Occasional among mountain rocks or scree. Fronds c 20-50 cm long (Male Fern and Scaly Male Fern have fronds of similar size at the same altitude) ID: Basic outline of frond is like the other two "Male" ferns, with middle pinnae broadest, basal ones much smaller. Pinnae have a concave or crisped appearance. Scales on basal part of stalk very pale brown or whitish (often even paler than those shown in the bottom picture on this page). Does not have dark spot at base of pinna like Scaly Male Fern. Growth habit very distinctive, with crowns in groups of several close together. Other features: Sori often only 1-2 per pinnule, but can be up to 6 on the larger pinnules. Has whitish scales scattered on backs of pinnae and rachis, but rachis not densely clothed with scales like Scaly Male Fern. |
