Davallia tasmanii subsp. tasmanii
Common name
Davallia, Three Kings Davallia
Synonyms
Davallia tasmanii Cheeseman - a heterotypic later homonym
Family
Davalliaceae
Flora category
Vascular – Native
Endemic taxon
Yes
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.
DAVTST
Chromosome number
2n = 80
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 – Naturally Uncommon | Qualifiers: IE
Previous conservation statuses
2009 | At Risk – Naturally Uncommon | Qualifiers: IE
2004 | Range Restricted
Distribution
Endemic. Three Kings islands group. Present on North-East, Manawa Tawhi (Great) South West, West Islands and also Arbutus and Hinemoa Rocks in the Princes Group
Habitat
Mainly terrestrial but also present as a low epiphyte and also on fallen logs and branches. In full sun of heavy shade.
Features
Terrestrial or low epiphytic, creeping fern with long, widely creeping, branched rhizomes. Rhizomes 2-8 mm diam., rooting at intervals, initially densely covered in scales, these shedding with age. Rhizome scales on new growth, up to 12.5 x 2.2 mm, peltate, triangular-ovate, tapering to apex, pale orange-brown to yellow-brown, toothed from base to apex, bearing multiseptate hairs along margins from base to apex. Stipe black, stout, rather wiry, 62-210 mm long, glabrous except for scales at base. Frond 51-210 x 61-280 mm, deltoid-pentangular, tripinnate then pinnatifid, coriaceous, glabrescent, dark green, green to yellow-green. Lowest primary pinnae longer and broader than others the basal basiscopic secondary pinnae 22-84 x 11-48 mm. Larger ultimate sterile segments incised, lobed or toothed; false veins scarce, if present inconspicuous, extending only half way to the junction of the true veins. Larger ultimate fertile segments notched, bearing 1(-2) sori. Indusia to 3 x 1.8 mm. Spores viable.
Similar taxa
Davallia tasmanii subsp. cristata von Konrat, Braggins et de Lange is very similar. This subspecies is endemic to Puketi Forest, Northland, North Island, and differs by the frequent rather than infrequent presence of conspicuous false veins which usually rather than rarely extend to the junction of the true veins, the usual prescence of one rather than several sori per segment; by the truncate rather than notched fertile laminal segment; and by the restriction of multiseptate hairs in mature rhizome to the scale apex rather than their presence from the scale base to the apex. Davallia tasmanii subsp. cristata is unusual in that it appears to be completely sterile.
Flowering
Not applicable - spore producing
Flower colours
No flowers
Fruiting
Not applicable - spore producing
Propagation technique
Can be grown from spores (rather slow) and rooted pieces. Rhizome cuttings strike easily enough though they can be slow to take. Resents root disturbance, so once established it is better left alone. Easy in a pot, and does very well even when root bound. Prefers a sunny situation in a well drained potting medium (bark is ideal). Will grow in a garden provided it is kept free from competiting plants. Frost tender.
Threats
A narrow range endemic abundant within its only known habitats.
Etymology
davallia: Named after Edmond Davall, 18th century English-born Swiss botanist
tasmanii: Named after Abel Janzoon Tasman (1603-1659) who in the 17th century was the first European to sight Van Dieman’s land (now known as Tasmania)
Where To Buy
Occasionally available from mainline and specialist native plant nurseries.
Attribution
Fact sheet prepared for NZPCN by P.J. de Lange 1 October 2003. Description adapted from von Konrat et al. (1999).
References and further reading
von Konrat, M. J.; Braggins, J. E.; de Lange, P. J. 1999: Davallia (Pteridophyta) in New Zealand, including description of a new subspecies of D. tasmanii. New Zealand Journal of Botany 37: 579-593.
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
NZPCN Fact Sheet citation
Please cite as: de Lange, P.J. (Year at time of access): Davallia tasmanii subsp. tasmanii Fact Sheet (content continuously updated). New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. https://www.nzpcn.org.nz/flora/species/davallia-tasmanii-subsp-tasmanii/ (Date website was queried)