Histiopteris incisa

Dennstaedtiaceae

Histiopteris incisa (Thunb.) J.Sm.

Link to Australian Plant Name Index for publication details and synonyms: https://id.biodiversity.org.au/name/apni/96314

Rhizome long creeping, scaly. Stipe and rachis chestnut-brown at base, but mostly yellow-brown, glabrous except for basal scales, glossy; stipe 15–120 cm long, 5–10 mm diam. Lamina 30–c. 200 cm long, 15–c. 100 cm wide, ovate, 3–4-pinnate at base. Primary pinnae in opposite pairs; longest 13–60 cm long, 7–35 cm wide, arising at narrow angles, sessile. Secondary pinnae opposite, arising at wide angles; longest 4–20 cm long, 2–9 cm wide, with basal pair sometimes reduced to stipules. Tertiary pinnae opposite; longest 10–45 mm long, 6–15 mm wide, sometimes divided into quaternary pinnae. Ultimate pinnules adnate to midribs; margins entire or crenate; apices obtuse. Spores pale, tuberculate. 

Widespread accross the eastern Australian states, also scattered in NT and WA and Norfolk Island.

Terrestrial along creekbeds and in clearings in rainforest and wet sclerophyll forest. Usually in disturbed areas.