Cyclosorus interruptus
Synonyms
Many including Pteris interrupta Willd., Thelypteris interrupta (Willd.) Iwatsuki, Nephrodium propinquum R.Br., Nephrodium inaequilaterum Colenso, Nephrodium unitum R.Br., Cyclosorus gongyloides (Schkuhr) Link; Dryopteris gongylodes var. glabra (Mett.) Domin; Dryopteris gongylodes sensu Cheeseman
Family
Thelypteridaceae
Flora category
Vascular – Native
Endemic taxon
No
Endemic genus
No
Endemic family
No
Structural class
Ferns
NVS code
The National Vegetation Survey (NVS) Databank is a physical archive and electronic databank containing records of over 94,000 vegetation survey plots - including data from over 19,000 permanent plots. NVS maintains a standard set of species code abbreviations that correspond to standard scientific plant names from the Ngä Tipu o Aotearoa - New Zealand Plants database.
CYCINT
Chromosome number
2n = 72
Current conservation status
The conservation status of all known New Zealand vascular plant taxa at the rank of species and below were reassessed in 2017 using the New Zealand Threat Classification System (NZTCS). This report includes a statistical summary and brief notes on changes since 2012 and replaces all previous NZTCS lists for vascular plants. Authors: By Peter J. de Lange, Jeremy R. Rolfe, John W. Barkla, Shannel P. Courtney, Paul D. Champion, Leon R. Perrie, Sarah M. Beadel, Kerry A. Ford, Ilse Breitwieser, Ines Schönberger, Rowan Hindmarsh-Walls, Peter B. Heenan and Kate Ladley.
2012 | At Risk – Declining | Qualifiers: SO
Previous conservation statuses
2009 | At Risk – Declining | Qualifiers: SO
2004 | Gradual Decline
Distribution
Indigenous: North Island, from Te Paki to Kawhia Harbour, the Bay of Plenty (including Mayor Island), the Rotorua Lakes to Taupo and near East Cape. Also known from Australia and throughout the tropical and warm-temperate Pacific where it is not threatened.
Habitat
A species of geothermal habitats, and frost-free, coastal and lowland wetlands, especially those dominated by raupo (Typha orientalis) and swamp millet grass (Isachne globosa).
Features
A creeping fern with harsh, hairless, olive-green fronds to 800 mm long. Frond stalks are slender, up to 600 mm long by 5 mm wide, almost black at the base but becoming brownish. Frond leaflets (pinnae) occur in 9–15 pairs, the basal pair are larger and sickle-shaped with each successive pair becoming shorter. The spores are found in closely packed sori distributed nearer the midrib than the leaflet edge.
Similar taxa
Could only be confused with Pneumatopteris pennigera with which it sometimes grows. However, this species has longer, narrower pale green, soft hairy fronds of even length and shape that wilt easily. Pneumatopteris pennigera also occupies different habitats, being found on stream-banks in kahikatea remnants, and on shaded limestone overhangs and cave entrances.
Flowering
Spore bearing fronds may be found throughout the year
Flower colours
No flowers
Fruiting
Spore bearing fronds may be found throughout the year
Life cycle
Minute spores are wind dispersed (Thorsen et al., 2009).
Propagation technique
Easily grown from division of whole plants. Can be grown from fresh spore. Frost tender, and does best in damp or waterlogged ground.
Threats
Drainage, land development and fern collectors.
Etymology
interruptus: Interrupted in some way
Where To Buy
Sold by a few specialist native plant nurseries. Not widely grown.
Attribution
Fact sheet prepared by P.J. de Lange for NZPCN (1 June 2013)
References and further reading
Thorsen, M. J.; Dickinson, K. J. M.; Seddon, P. J. 2009. Seed dispersal systems in the New Zealand flora. Perspectives in Plant Ecology, Evolution and Systematics 11: 285-309
Citation
Please cite as: de Lange, P.J. (Year at time of access): Cyclosorus interruptus Fact Sheet (content continuously updated). New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. https://www.nzpcn.org.nz/flora/species/cyclosorus-interruptus/ (Date website was queried)