Classification
Class
Polypodiopsida
Subclass
Polypodiidae
Order
Polypodiales Link
Family
Polypodiaceae J.Presl & C.Presl
Genus
Niphidium J.Sm.
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Niphidium crassifolium (L.) Lellinger, Amer. Fern J. 62: 106 (1972)
Synonymy:
  • ≡ Polypodium crassifolium L., Sp. Pl. 1083 (1753)
Lectotype (selected by Lellinger 1972): Petiver, Pterigraphia Americana t. 6, f. 1 (1712).
Etymology:
From the Latin crassus (thick, fleshy), and -folius (leaved), a reference to the coriaceous lamina.
 Recognition

This species can be recognised by its short-creeping rhizome, undivided, glabrous and coriaceous fronds, narrowly elliptic to narrowly obovate laminae, prominent veins, round sori arranged in single rows of 6–10 between the main lateral veins, presence of paraphyses in the sori, and short hairs on the sporangia.

 Distribution

North Island: Auckland.

Known only from one locality in Auckland.

Occurs naturally in tropical America and the Caribbean.

Niphidium crassifolium distribution map based on databased records at AK, CHR & WELT. Image: K.Boardman © Landcare Research 2021 CC BY 4.0
Niphidium crassifolium distribution map based on databased records at AK, CHR & WELT. Image: K.Boardman © Landcare Research 2021 CC BY 4.0
 Habitat

Recorded as a cultivation escape on scoria boulders near a cultivated parent plant.

 Biostatus
Exotic
 First Record

Heenan et al. (2008). Voucher: AK 289667, 2004.

 Images
Niphidium crassifolium. Herbarium specimen of a narrowly elliptic, entire fertile frond from a cultivated plant, AK 256206. Image: Auckland Museum © Auckland Museum CC BY-NC 3.0 NZ
Niphidium crassifolium. Herbarium specimen of a narrowly elliptic, entire fertile frond from a cultivated plant, AK 256206. Image: Auckland Museum © Auckland Museum CC BY-NC 3.0 NZ
 Bibliography
Brownsey, P.B.; Parris, B.S.; Perrie, L.R. 2021: Polypodiaceae. In: Breitwieser, I. (ed.) Flora of New Zealand — Ferns and Lycophytes. Fascicle 1. Manaaki Whenua Press, Lincoln.
Brownsey, P.J.; Perrie, L.R. 2012: Taxonomic notes on the New Zealand flora: lectotypes and excluded taxa in the fern family Polypodiaceae. New Zealand Journal of Botany 50: 179–184.
Brownsey, P.J.; Perrie, L.R. 2015: Polypodiaceae (excluding Notogrammitis). In: Breitwieser, I; Heenan, P.B.; Wilton, A.D. (ed.) Flora of New Zealand — Ferns and Lycophytes. Fascicle 1. Manaaki Whenua Press, Lincoln.
Heenan, P.B.; de Lange, P.J.; Cameron, E.K.; Parris, B.S. 2008: Checklist of dicotyledons, gymnosperms, and pteridophytes naturalised or casual in New Zealand: additional records 2004–06. New Zealand Journal of Botany 46: 257–283.
Lellinger, D.B. 1972: A revision of the fern genus Niphidium. American Fern Journal 62: 101–120.
Linnaeus, C. 1753: Species Plantarum. Impensis Laurentii Salvii, Stockholm.
Petiver, J. 1712: Pterigraphia Americana. London. [as Polypodium crassifolium L.]