Botanical name

Pellaea pteroides

Family

Pteridaceae

Common Name

Cliffbrakes
Pellaea pteroides
Pellaea pteroides
Pellaea pteroides
Pellaea pteroides

Description

Perennial fern with a short, prostrate rhizome. Fronds are erect up to 40cm long, leathery; rachis is wiry and blackish- brown in colour. Sori are marginal, usually covered by a continuous indusium formed by a reflexed margin.

Greek: pellos = dark coloured; referring to the blackish-brown colour of the rachis.

The ferns preference to grow on or amongst rocks gives it its common name Cliffbrakes.

Habitat

Full sun or shade, often among or on rocks on coastal and mountain slopes amongst low shrubs