Gleichenia microphylla
R.Br. Scrambling Coral-fernRachis of major branches with numerous and conspicuous bundles of short, shiny, amber to dark brown bristles, as well as less numerous and scattered, fringed scales. Ultimate branches linear, 2–6 cm long, with close-set pinnules; undersurface of pinna-rachis without hairs or scales; uncoiling tips (and young rachises) shiny, covered in red-brown bristles and few fringed scales. Pinnules 1–3 mm long, oblong-triangular, blunt, lower surface flat or slightly concave (but never inrolled on all edges to make a pocket). Sori with 2–4, rarely 1 or 5, sporangia grouped around central projection; sporangia shiny, bright yellow to yellow-brown.
GleP, VVP, GipP, OtP, WaP, Gold, CVU, GGr, DunT, EGL, EGU, WPro, HSF, HNF, OtR, Strz, MonT, HFE, VAlp. Also WA, SA, Qld, NSW, Tas. (including Flinders Is. and King Is.). New Zealand. Forming scrambling thickets in sunny areas with ample moisture throughout the southern two-thirds of Victoria.
Dried specimens of Gleichenia microphylla can sometimes have quite recurved leaves, but they never form a pouch. See also notes under G. dicarpa.
Entwisle, T.J. (1994). Ferns and allied plants (Psilophyta, Lycopodiophyta, Polypodiophyta). In: Walsh, N.G.; Entwisle, T.J., Flora of Victoria Vol. 2, Ferns and Allied Plants, Conifers and Monocotyledons, pp. 13–111. Inkata Press, Melbourne.
Spinning
