Nephrolepis obliterata
Nephrolepis obliterata (R.Br.) J.Sm.
Nephrolepis obliterata, known as the Kimberley Queen fern or Australian swordfern, is a species in the family Nephrolepidaceae. It is native to regions including Australia, the Pacific Islands, and parts of Southeast Asia. This fern typically grows at low elevations, from sea level to 1000 m, in various forest types, mangroves, and as an epiphyte. It is often abundant in undergrowth and on forest margins. The species is characterized by large fronds, with distinct sterile and fertile pinnae, and a unique indument pattern on the stipe and rachis.
Description
Nephrolepis obliterata forms tufts of 3 to 4 fronds, with runners 1–2 mm thick and branching at a wide angle. The fronds are 100–170 cm long and 12–33 cm wide, with a stipe of 36–80 cm. The lamina base is truncate and tapers over 20–40 cm. Sterile pinnae are 6–15 cm long and 1.3–2.4 cm wide, with a strongly unequal base and acuminate or caudate apex. Fertile pinnae are 7–17 cm long and 0.9–2.1 cm wide, more strongly dentate and gradually narrowed to an acute apex. The indument includes peltate, appressed basal scales and very sparse, translucent rachis scales. Sori are marginal, with a reniform indusium. The species is often confused with N. biserrata and N. brownii but can be distinguished by its indument features and falcate pinnae.
Distribution
Bismarck Archipelago · Caroline Is. · Fiji · Maluku · New Caledonia · New Guinea · Northern Territory · Queensland · Samoa · Solomon Is. · Tuvalu · Vanuatu
Synonyms
Nephrolepis salignaNephrolepis sieberiNephrodium obliteratumAspidium obliteratumArthropteris obliterata var. linearisArthropteris obliterata