Davallia repens

Davalliaceae

Davallia repens (L.f.) Kuhn

Link to Australian Plant Name Index for publication details and synonyms: https://id.biodiversity.org.au/name/apni/171663

Dwarf Hares-Foot Fern

Rhizome slender, white-waxy, densely covered with appressed red-brown scales with pale scarious margins bearing fragile deciduous hairs. Fronds in Australian material generally simple and pinnatifid, narrowly triangular, 1.2–21 cm long, coriaceous. Stipe 0.5–12 cm long, bearing similar scales to rhizome; rachis with scattered scales on lower surface, glabrous on upper surface. Pinnae deeply lobed almost to rachis; widest point 8–85 mm; upper surface glabrous; lower surface rarely with a few dark simple hairs; margins highly variable in degree of lobing but basal lobe pair always distinct, usually larger and asymmetrical with much deeper lobing on the basal side; apex rounded on sterile lobes to acuminate on fertile lobes; false veins absent. Sori marginal, grouped near apices of pinna lobes, mostly in sinuses formed by a marginal tooth projecting from basal side of sorus; indusium generally elongate, attached at a narrow base, apex extending beyond margin.

Widespread in the Palaeotropics. In Australia it occurs in NE QLD from Iron Range to Eungella.

Epiphytic, lithophytic or terrestrial near watercourses in rainforest. On occasionally inhabitant of nest-epiphytes.

The fronds of this species can roll when dehydrated.

Readily cultivated in a pot or hanging basket in a tropical garden or fernery.

Key to Davallia repens and Davallia pectinata

1a. Fronds pinnatifid with a comb-like arrangement of many lateral lobes, lamina longer than wide = Davallia pectinata

1b. Fronds pinnatifid with a palm-like arrangement of few lateral lobes, lamina roughly as long as wide = Davallia repens