Blechnum contiguum Mett. APNI* Description: Climbing epiphyte fern. Rhizome long, covered with dense, narrowly lanceolate scales; scales c. 1.5 cm long, with a long fine apex.
Fronds dimorphic, 0.5–2 cm apart on rhizome; stipe 5–10 cm long, with a few scattered, narrow scales. Sterile fronds erect, not geniculate; lamina pinnate, overall outline narrowly lanceolate, 30–50 cm or more long, 5–12 cm broad, glabrous or a few narrow scales beside midrib beneath; base with gradually reduced pinnae; pinnae 30–40 pairs, borne at an angle of 45°-60° to midrib, not overlapping, narrowly elongate-triangular, sometimes somewhat falcate, (2.5-) 3–7 cm long, 0.5–1 cm broad at base, diminishing gradually to a long-acute apex, with bases entire; veins distinct below, usually forked once.
Lamina of fertile fronds pinnate; pinnae 40–50 pairs, narrowly linear, 4–10 cm long.
Distribution and occurrence: Occurs on Lord Howe Island and New Caledonia Frequent in the cloud-forest on the summits of Mt. Gower and Mt. Lidgbird.
NSW subdivisions: LHI
Text by P.S. Green (1994)
Taxon concept: P.S. Green (1994)
APNI* Provides a link to the Australian Plant Name Index (hosted by the Australian National Botanic Gardens) for comprehensive bibliographic data
***The AVH map option provides a detailed interactive Australia wide distribution map drawn from collections held by all major Australian herbaria participating in the Australian Virtual Herbarium project.
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