Classification
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Davallia tasmanii subsp. cristata von Konrat, Braggins & de Lange, New Zealand J. Bot. 37: 586 (1999)
Synonymy:
Holotype: Northland, Puketi Forest, A.E. Wright 7904, 9 Dec. 1987, AK 211067!
Etymology:
From the Latin cristatus (crested), a reference to the multiseptate hairs, which are restricted to the apex of the rhizome scales, giving them a crested appearance.
 Description

Rhizome scales bearing setae along both margins from base to apex, but bearing multiseptate hairs only at the apices. False veins in ultimate lamina segments conspicuous when present, nearly always extending along the length of true veins from near their junction to their ending. Ultimate lamina segments usually bearing only 1 sorus per segment; apices of segments usually truncate.

 Recognition

Davallia tasmanii subsp. cristata is most easily distinguished by its rhizome scales, which have multiseptate hairs confined to the apices, whereas in D. tasmanii subsp. tasmanii they occur along both margins from base to apex (see von Konrat et al. 1999, fig. 4).

 Distribution

Northland.

Altitudinal range: c. 300 m.

Davallia tasmanii subsp. cristata is known only from one locality in Puketi Forest, Northland, where it was first collected in 1984 (Wright 1985).

 Habitat

Davallia tasmanii subsp. cristata grows on a rock bluff amongst mats dominated by Metrosideros perforata, and occasionally climbs Agathis australis, Podocarpus laetus, Prumnopitys ferruginea, and Weinmannia silvicola (von Konrat et al. 1999).

 Biostatus
Indigenous (Endemic)

Davallia tasmanii subsp. cristata was given a conservation status of Nationally Critical by de Lange et al. (2013).

 Cytology

2n = 79, c. 7680 (von Konrat et al. 1999).

 Notes

Fertile fronds are apparently rare in the wild and have been collected only once (AK 211067), although they have been seen in cultivation.

 Bibliography
Brownsey, P.J.; Perrie, L.R. 2018: Davalliaceae. In: Breitwieser, I.; Wilton, A.D. (ed.) Flora of New Zealand — Ferns and Lycophytes. Fascicle 22. Manaaki Whenua Press, Lincoln.
de Lange, P.J.; Norton, D.A.; Courtney, S.P.; Heenan, P.B.; Barkla, J.W.; Cameron, E.K.; Hitchmough, R.; Townsend, A.J. 2009: Threatened and uncommon plants of New Zealand (2008 revision). New Zealand Journal of Botany 47: 61–96. [Nationally Critical]
de Lange, P.J.; Norton, D.A.; Heenan, P.B.; Courtney, S.P.; Molloy, B.P.J.; Ogle, C.C.; Rance, B.D. 2004: Threatened and uncommon plants of New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Botany 42(1): 45–76.
de Lange, P.J.; Rolfe, J.R.; Barkla J.W.; Courtney, S.P.; Champion, P.D.; Perrie, L.R.; Beadel, S.N.; Ford, K.A.; Breitwieser, I.; Schönberger, I.; Hindmarsh-Walls, R.; Heenan, P.B.; Ladley, K. 2018: Conservation status of New Zealand indigenous vascular plants, 2017. New Zealand Threat Classification Series. No. 22. [Nationally Critical]
de Lange, P.J.; Rolfe, J.R.; Champion, P.D.; Courtney, S.P.; Heenan, P.B.; Barkla, J.W.; Cameron, E.K.; Norton, D.A.; Hitchmough, R.A. 2013: Conservation status of New Zealand indigenous vascular plants, 2012. New Zealand Threat Classification Series 3. Department of Conservation, Wellington. [Nationally Critical]
von Konrat, M. J.; Braggins, J. E.; de Lange, P. J. 1999: Davallia (Pteridophyta) in New Zealand, including description of a new subspecies of D. tasmanii. New Zealand Journal of Botany 37: 579–593.
Wright, A.E. 1985: New Davallia in Puketi State Forest. New Zealand Botanical Society Newsletter 1: 9–10.