Pteris saxatilis
Family
Pteridaceae
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.
PTESAX
Chromosome number
2n = 58
Current conservation status
The threat classification 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) – more information about this can be found on the NZTCS website 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. Please note, threat classifications are often suggested by authors when publications fall between NZTCS assessment periods – a suggested threat classification status has not been assessed by the NZTCS panel.
Source: NZTCS and licensed by DOC for reuse under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International licence.
2017 | Not Threatened
Previous conservation statuses
2012 | Not Threatened
2009 | Not Threatened
2004 | Not Threatened
Distribution
Endemic. New Zealand: North and South Islands from North Cape to Taranaki, thence disjunct to 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.
Features
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. comans and P. macilenta, this seems more likely to refer to hybrids between P. saxatilis and P. comans than any involving P. macilenta, which is genetically very distinct from both P. comans and P. saxatilis and unable to hybridise with them (J.E. Braggins pers. comm.). The New Zealand form of Pteris comans differs from both P. macilenta and P. saxatilis by the coriaceous (leathery) fronds, reticulate venation, overlapping pinnae and large ultimate segments
Flowering
Not applicable - spore producing
Flower colours
No flowers
Fruiting
Not applicable - spore producing
Propagation technique
Brownsey & Smith-Dodsworth (2000) suggest that cultivation of Pteris saxatilis is difficult. However, rather like P. comans, 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.
Etymology
pteris: A fern known to the ancient Greeks; from the Greek pteris
Where To Buy
Pteris saxatilis is very rarely available from specialist native plant nurseries.
Taxonomic Notes
According to the unpublished research of J.E. Braggins the correct name for Pteris saxatilis is in fact P. maclienta 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.
Attribution
Fact sheet prepared for NZPCN by P.J. de Lange (17 January 2012). Description adapted 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.
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)