Dryopteris sparsa

Dryopteridaceae

Dryopteris sparsa (D.Don) Kuntze

Link to Australian Plant Name Index for publication details and synonyms: https://id.biodiversity.org.au/name/apni/58389

Rhizome erect. Apex scaly; scales ovate, 5–8 mm long, papery, pale brown. Fronds tufted. Stipe 20–45 cm long, stramineous to brown, darker at base, brittle. Lamina 2–3-pinnate, pentagonal, 20–35 cm long, 25–38 cm wide, chartaceous, dull pale green on both surfaces; apex abruptly acuminate; rachis glabrous, covered with small, elongated protuberances. Ultimate segments 5–15 mm long, 3–10 mm wide; base asymmetrically cuneate; margins with rounded lobes and 1 or more short teeth on the upper side of each lobe above the sinus between the lobes; veins forked 1–3-times. Sori medial on vein branches; indusium reniform, fawn. 

Restricted to high altitude areas on the Carbine Tableland, Mt Bellenden Ker and Mt Bartle Frere in NE QLD. Also in Asia and Malesia.

Terrestrial, usually on rocks in shaded areas in high montane rainforest in very wet areas.

Similar to Dryopteris hasseltii. Dryopteris sparsa is distinct in having indusia (cf. exindusiate in Dryopteris hasseltii).