Pteris saxatilis
Biostatus
Native – Endemic taxon
Category
Vascular
Structural class
Ferns
Detailed description
Terrestrial ferns. Rhizomes short, erect, scaly. Stipes 80–200 mm long, pale brown, glabrous or scaly at very base. Laminae 0.15–0.5 × 0.12-0.25 m, dark green to yellow-green, 2–3-pinnate at base, ovate, coriaceous, veins reticulate. Pinnae not overlapping, distinctly widely spaced; most lower secondary pinnae adnate. Ultimate segments 5–10 × 3–5 mm, oblong, apices tapering or bluntly pointed, margins toothed (often deeply so). Sori continuous along pinna margins on a marginal vein, protected by a membranous inrolled pinna margins.
Similar taxa
Pteris saxatilis is most similar to P. macilenta which superficially appears to be merely a larger form of it. Pteris saxatilis differs from P. macilenta by the very widely spaced primary and secondary pinnae; laminae 0.15–0.5 × 0.12–0.25 m, and the ultimate segments up to 15 × 5 mm. Although Brownsey & Smith-Dodsworth (2000) state that intergrades exist between P. saxatilis and both P. carsei (as P. comans) and P. macilenta, this seems more likely to refer to hybrids between P. saxatilis and P. carsei than any involving P. macilenta, which is genetically very distinct from both P. carsei and P. saxatilis and unable to hybridise with them (J.E. Braggins pers. comm.). Pteris carsei differs from both P. macilenta and P. saxatilis by the coriaceous (leathery) fronds, reticulate venation, overlapping pinnae and large ultimate segments.
Distribution
Endemic. New Zealand: North Island (North Cape to Taranaki), South Island (North-west Nelson and the Marlborough Sounds).
Habitat
Mostly coastal, though occasionally recorded well inland. Usually in open habitats such as grassy and/or rubble strewn slopes, in open forest, or amongst flax (Phormium tenax), Cyperus ustulatus (or C. insularis) and carices at the bank of boulder or cobble beaches.
Current conservation status
The conservation status of all known New Zealand vascular plant taxa at the rank of species and below were reassessed in 2022-2023 using the New Zealand Threat Classification System (NZTCS) – more information about this can be found on the NZTCS website. This report includes replaces all previous NZTCS lists for vascular plants. Previous assessments can be found here.
Please note, threat classifications are often suggested by authors when publications fall between NZTCS assessment periods – these interim threat classification statuses has not been assessed by the NZTCS panel.
- Conservation status of vascular plants in Aotearoa New Zealand, 2023. 2024. Peter J. de Lange, Jane Gosden, Shannel P. Courtney, Alexander J. Fergus, John W. Barkla, Sarah M. Beadel, Paul D. Champion, Rowan Hindmarsh-Walls, Troy Makan and Pascale Michel Department of Conservation. Source: NZTCS and licensed by DOC for reuse under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International licence.
2023 | Not Threatened
Detailed taxonomy
Family
Pteridaceae
Taxonomic notes
According to the unpublished research of J.E. Braggins the correct name for Pteris saxatilis is in fact P. macilenta A.Rich. However, until such time as that research is published, and in line with other published works (e.g., Brownsey & Smith-Dodsworth 2000), the current usage of the names P. macilenta and P. saxatilis is retained.
Endemic taxon
Yes
Endemic genus
No
Endemic family
No
Ecology
Propagation technique
Brownsey & Smith-Dodsworth (2000) suggest that cultivation of Pteris saxatilis is difficult. However, rather like P. carsei, it would seem better to say that results are variable. Pteris saxatilis seems to thrive best when planted in semi-shade, in a deep, free draining, fertile but light soil. It often responds well to regular applications of lime.
Other information
Cultivation
Pteris saxatilis is very rarely available from specialist native plant nurseries.
Etymology
pteris: A fern known to the ancient Greeks; from the Greek pteris
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.
PTESAX
Chromosome number
2n = 58
Previous conservation statuses
2017 | Not Threatened
2012 | Not Threatened
2009 | Not Threatened
2004 | Not Threatened
Referencing and citations
References and further reading
Brownsey PJ, Smith-Dodsworth JC. 2000. New Zealand Ferns and Allied Plants. David Bateman, Auckland, NZ. 168 p.
Attribution
Fact sheet prepared for NZPCN by P.J. de Lange (17 January 2012). Description adapted from Brownsey & Smith-Dodsworth (2000).
NZPCN Fact Sheet citation
Please cite as: de Lange, P.J. (Year at time of access): Pteris saxatilis Fact Sheet (content continuously updated). New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. https://www.nzpcn.org.nz/flora/species/pteris-saxatilis/ (Date website was queried)