Blechnum patersonii —Strap Water Fern—BLECHNACEAE
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Habitat— Widespread in rainforest and in moist gullies. Distribution—Tasmania, Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland. Description—A terrestrial fern, rhizome erect, scales of rhizome broad, brown, shiny, forming clumps. Found often along creeks or in rock crevices. Local occurrences— Barrington/Gloucester Tops,
Boorganna Nature Reserve,
Booti Hill and
Waitui Falls.
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Fronds.— Erect to pendent, dimorphic, simple or deeply lobed (often mixed on the same plant), mostly 20 to 50 cm high, fertile usually slightly shorter than the sterile. Sterile fronds or segments mostly 10 to 25 mm wide, broader towards apex, dark green and leathery. Fertile fronds or segments 2 to 4 mm wide. |
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Sori.— Continuous along each side of the midrib, covered by continuous indusia opening medially. |