Dicranopteris linearis
Synonyms
Gleichenia linearis (Burm. f.) C.B. Clarke; Polypodium lineare Bruman, Polypodium dichotomum Thunb., Mertensia dichotoma Willd.
Family
Gleicheniaceae
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.
GLELIN
Chromosome number
2n = c.160
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.
2018 | Threatened – Nationally Endangered
Previous conservation statuses
2012 | At Risk – Naturally Uncommon | Qualifiers: RR, SO
2009 | At Risk – Naturally Uncommon | Qualifiers: SO
2004 | Range Restricted
Distribution
Indigenous. In New Zealand known only from the North Island, where it grows on geothermally heated ground from Rotorua to Karapiti near Taupo
Habitat
In New Zealand confined to geothermally active sites where it grows on heated soils, sinter field, and around geysers, hot pools, and steam vents.
Features
Terrestrial fern. Rhizomes long-creeping, hairy. Fronds up to 0.3 m tall finely hairy with hairs irregularly branched; veins free. Stipes glaucous-brown to pale brown, persistent when dead, glabrous, terminated by a bud. Rachises of fronds in 1-2-tiers, forking 2-3x at narrow angles with a bud terminating each fork, the ultimate branches pinnate, narrowly elliptic, 0.1-0.4 m long. Pinnae linear 10-40 x 2.5-5 mm, notched at apices, margins smooth, fused at base, pale green to yellow green to slightly glaucous green above, whitish to glaucescent below. Sori in one row either side of midrib and well away from pinna margins, comprising 6-10 pairs of sporangia, indusia absent.
Similar taxa
Distinguished from the distinctly related New Zealand species of Sticherus C.Presl and Gleichenia J.E.Smith by its hairyrather than scaly rhizomes, pinnae confined to ultimate branches rather than on all rachis branches, irregularly branched lamina hairs, and by the sporangia in groups of 6-10 rather than in groups of 2, 2-4 or in rows either side of the midrib. It is the only species of the New Zealand representatives of the family Gleicheniaceae to be completely confined to geothermal sites.
Flowering
Not applicable - spore producing
Flower colours
No flowers
Fruiting
Not applicable - spore producing
Propagation technique
Easy from rooted pieces. Once established grows quickly. Prefers a sunny site in damp soil. Frost and cold sensitive
Threats
Not threatened. Natrurally confined to sites of geothermal acitivity within the Taupo Volcanic Zone. Rather tolerant of extreme heat and able to withstand shading. This species has actively colonised newly created geothermal fields such as Karapiti. It is possible some smaller populations might be threatened by introduced weeds tolerant of heated soils but there is no hard evidence available to confirm this.
Etymology
linearis: Linear (leaves)
Where To Buy
Not commercially available.
Taxonomic notes
New Zealand plants appear to represent a distinct cytorace. This needs further investigation.
Attribution
Fact sheet prepared by P.J. de Lange for NZPCN (1 June 2013)
NZPCN Fact Sheet citation
Please cite as: de Lange, P.J. (Year at time of access): Dicranopteris linearis Fact Sheet (content continuously updated). New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. https://www.nzpcn.org.nz/flora/species/dicranopteris-linearis/ (Date website was queried)