Leptopteris hymenophylloides
Common name
crêpe fern, single crêpe fern, heruheru
Synonyms
Todea hymenophylloides A.Rich.; Todea marginata Colenso; Todea pellucida Carmich. ex Grev. et Hook.; Leptopteris marginata (Colenso) C.Chr.; Osmunda hymenophylloides (A.Rich.) J.B.Armstr.
Family
Osmundaceae
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.
LEPHYM
Chromosome number
2n = 44
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 | Not Threatened
Previous conservation statuses
2009 | Not Threatened
2004 | Not Threatened
Distribution
Endemic. New Zealand: North, South, Stewart and Chatham Islands from North Cape (Whiriwhiri Stream) south. Common throughout, though more abundant in the northern part of its range
Habitat
Lowland to montane forest. Rarely in gumland scrub and coastal forest. Usually found along stream sides, and on damp banks, occasional on forested ridge lines. Once established this species is remarkably tolerant of drought and high light conditions and so it can be found growing as a persistent relict in disturbed forest or in areas cleared by wind throw.
Features
Trunks up to 0.1 m tall. Stipes 0.15-0.5 m long, pale brown, sparsely hairy, with ear like lobes at base. Frond delicate, membranous, translucent, laminae ± deltoid, 3-pinnate, 0.2-1.0m long, 150-350 mm wide, dark green to light emerald green, sparsely hairy, veins free. Primary pinnae in 20-30 pairs, widely spaced, basal ones 60-120 mm long. Ultimate segments linear, flattened in plane of frond. Sporangi scattered on underside of pinnae (not in discrete sori), though tending to be more abundant toward frond centre. Description modified from Brownsey & Smith-Dodsworth 2000.
Similar taxa
Leptopteris hymenophylloides differs from the closely related L. superba by its longer stipe, triangular frond, longer and broader pinnae, and by its ultimate lamina segments flattened in one plane. Where both species meet they commonly hybridise to produce the hybrid known as Leptopteris ×intermedia (André) Brownsey.
Flowering
N.A.
Flower colours
No flowers
Fruiting
N.A.
Life cycle
Minute spores are wind dispersed (Thorsen et al., 2009).
Propagation technique
Easily grown in a damp shaded site, in a free draining but moist, humus enriched soil.
Etymology
leptopteris: Thin fern; from the Greek leptos and pteris
hymenophylloides: Resembling Hymenophyllum
Attribution
Fact sheet prepared for NZPCN by P.J. de Lange 10 March 2011. Description modified from Brownsey & Smith-Dodsworth 2000.
References and further reading
Brownsey, P.J.; Smith-Dodsworth, J.C. 2000: New Zealand Ferns and Allied Plants. Auckland, David Bateman
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): Leptopteris hymenophylloides Fact Sheet (content continuously updated). New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. https://www.nzpcn.org.nz/flora/species/leptopteris-hymenophylloides/ (Date website was queried)