Trichomanes colensoi
Common name
bristle fern
Synonyms
Vandenboschia colensoi (Hook. f.) Copel., Polyphlebium colensoi (Hook.f.) Ebihara et K.Iwats.
Family
Hymenophyllaceae
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.
TRICOL
Chromosome number
2n = 72
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: Sp
Previous conservation statuses
2009 | At Risk – Naturally Uncommon | Qualifiers: DP
2004 | Sparse
Distribution
Endemic. North, South, Stewart and Chatham Islands. From Mt Karioi (Western Waikato) and Te Moehau (Coromandel Peninsula) south. Known from only one site on Rekohu (Chatham Island) in the Chatham Islands group.
Habitat
An uncommon fern that most commonly occurs on wet rock faces, usually within overhangs or beside streams in dark, wet, lowland to montane forest. It may also be found as a low epiphyte in cloud forest, or within holes amongst exposed roots, or on trees rooted over boulder falls. Often associated with Trichomanes strictum and Hymenophyllum australis.
Features
Colony forming, extensively rhizomatous fern of dark recesses, rock faces and overhangs usually near to or partially immersed in water. Rhizomes long creeping. Stipes 5-30 mm long. Stipe and rachises not winged, dark black, rather wiry and pliant. Frond lamina 30-120 x 10-30 mm, dark green (rarely bright green), narrowly elliptic, 2-3-pinnate. Primary pinnae widely spaced, stalked, finely divided; ultimate segments linear, deeply toothed, with the veins forking 1-2 times per segment. Sori distinctly stalked, usually solitary (sometimes paired) at bases of primary pinnae. Indusia tubular, widened at mouth.
Similar taxa
Could possibly be confused with Trichomanes endlicherianum which often grows in similar habitats and has a superficially similar frond shape and morphological. However, T. colensoi differs from that species by the absence of a rachis wing, more deeply divided fronds and distinctly stalked indusia.
Flowering
Not applicable - spore producing
Flower colours
No flowers
Fruiting
Not applicable - spore producing
Propagation technique
Difficult. Should not be removed from the wild
Threats
Not threatened. A naturally uncommon, biologically sparse species which may be abundant in suitable habitats and then absent from other apparently suitable sites nearby.
Etymology
trichomanes: From the ancient Greek name used by Theophrastus and Dioscorides, for a type of fern; refers to the slender hair projecting from each spore case
colensoi: Named after William Colenso (7 November 1811 - 10 February 1899) who was a Cornish Christian missionary to New Zealand, and also a printer, botanist, explorer and politician.
Where To Buy
Not commercially available.
Taxonomic Notes
Previously NZPCN had followed Ebihara et al. (2006) in recognising Abrodictyum as distinct from Trichomanes - recently Brownsey & Perrie (2016) have rejected this idea favouring a return to the past broad circumscription of Trichomanes used in New Zealand.
Attribution
Fact sheet prepared for NZPCN by P.J. de Lange (July 2007). 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
Brownsey, P.J. & Perrie, L.R. 2016: Hymenophyllaceae. In: Breitwieser, I.; Heenan, P.B.; Wilton, A.D.
Flora of New Zealand - Ferns and Lycophytes. Fascicle 15. Manaaki Whenua Press, Lincoln.
Ebihara, A.; Dubuisson, J-Y.; Iwatsuki, K.; Hennequin, S.; Ito, M. 2006: A taxonomic revision of the Hymenophyllaceae. Blumea 51: 2-57
NZPCN Fact Sheet citation
Please cite as: de Lange, P.J. (Year at time of access): Trichomanes colensoi Fact Sheet (content continuously updated). New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. https://www.nzpcn.org.nz/flora/species/trichomanes-colensoi/ (Date website was queried)