Arthropteris beckleri

Tectariaceae

Arthropteris beckleri (Hook.) Mett.

Link to Australian Plant Name Index for publication details and synonyms: https://id.biodiversity.org.au/name/apni/102600

Rhizome c. 1 mm diam.; upper surface covered with dense spreading dark brown scales bearing short marginal glandular hairs. Fronds 2.5–36 cm long, tapering towards apex and base or with ±parallel sides. Stipes ±absent, rarely to 2 cm long; rachis occasionally bearing scattered scales, but mostly long straight hairs; indumentum dense on the lower surface, scattered to absent on the upper surface. Pinnae 8–10 mm long, c. 4 mm wide (sterile) or 4–15 mm long, 2–6 mm wide (fertile), with long straight hairs, especially along veins, on the lower surface and occasionally on the upper surface, at least on the proximal end of the midrib; margins crenate; apex obtuse, usually with a low rounded basal auricle. Sori superficial, half-way between midrib and margin; indusium round to reniform with occasional simple hairs.

NE QLD coast and hinterland from Cape Tribulation to Port Macquarie in NSW. Also in Malesia.

Epiphytic on tree trunks or lithophytic in mesic mid to upper montane vine forest.

This species starts as a terrestrial fern and climbs up tree trunks to become and epiphyte.