Asplenium hookerianum

Asplenium hookerianum, commonly known as Hooker's spleenwort, rocklax and maidenhair fern, is a small fern native to New Zealand and Australia.[3][4][5]

Asplenium hookerianum
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Class: Polypodiopsida
Order: Polypodiales
Suborder: Aspleniineae
Family: Aspleniaceae
Genus: Asplenium
Species:
A. hookerianum
Binomial name
Asplenium hookerianum

Description

This small fern may be found two forms. The broad-pinnuled version's fronds have rounded ultimate segments while the narrow-pinnuled version has very fine and narrow ultimate segments.[4]

Distribution

Asplenium hookerianum is found in New Zealand (including the Chatham Islands) and Australia.

New Zealand

Found throughout the North and South Islands of New Zealand. Less common in Northland, inland Taranaki, western Waikato, King Country and the West Coast.[3][4][6]

Its range extends to Stewart Island and the Chatham Islands although it is uncommon.[3]

Occurs in lowland and montane forests, on shaded clay banks and rocky outcrops, in shrubland and open forest. May also be found among grass and in open pasture, under pine and macrocarpa trees, and in disturbed forest remnants.[3][4][6]

In the South Island, it is mostly confined to lowland areas. In the North Island, it can reach altitudes of up to 1375 metres but is less common above 1000 metres on both islands.[6]

Australia

Found in Tasmania and Victoria where an estimated 700 plants live in four wild populations. Little is known about the previous distribution of this species.[3][7]

In Tasmania, it occurs in rainforest, usually on the heavily shaded margins of waterways and vertical banks. It may also be found in sheltered gullies within drier forests. Can also be found growing on the lower trunks of soft tree-ferns. They may reach altitudes of up to 500 metres.[7]

In Victoria, it occurs on sheltered rock faces in cracks and crevices under overhangs. They may reach altitudes of up to 1,200 metres. Because of its preference for cold and wet environments, it may be impacted by climate change in the future.[7]

Etymology

First described by Raoul in 1844 as Asplenium adiantoides. This name was disregarded due to conflicting earlier homonyms. It was later described by Colenso in 1845.[6]

It was named after British botanist Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker.[3]

Lifecycle

Asplenium hookerianum produces spores that are dispersed by wind.[8]

Conservation

In New Zealand, A. hookerianum is listed as Not Threatened.[9]

In Tasmania, it is listed as Endangered. In Victoria, it is listed as Vulnerable. Not much is known about the threats to A. hookerianum. Intensive farming, forestry, and cliff-based recreational activities such as abseiling and rock climbing may have some impact.[5]

Cultivation

Asplenium hookerianum is easily grown and makes a good pot plant, though it is slow growing. It is prone to scale and mealy bug infestations. It is not commercially available.[3]

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References
  1. "Asplenium hookerianum". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government.
  2. Colenso, W. (1845) A Classification and description of some newly discovered ferns, collected in the northern island of New Zealand, in the summer of 1841-42. Tasmanian Journal of Natural Science, Agriculture, Statistics, etc 2(8): 169
  3. "Asplenium hookerianum var. hookerianum | New Zealand Plant Conservation Network". www.nzpcn.org.nz. Retrieved 2019-09-08.
  4. Metcalf, L. J. (Lawrence James) (2003). A photographic guide to ferns of New Zealand. Auckland, N.Z.: New Holland. ISBN 1877246948. OCLC 53001284.
  5. Environment, jurisdiction=Commonwealth of Australia; corporateName=Department of the. "Asplenium hookerianum — Maidenhair Spleenwort". www.environment.gov.au. Retrieved 2019-09-08.
  6. "Flora of New Zealand | Taxon Profile | Asplenium hookerianum". www.nzflora.info. Retrieved 2019-09-08.
  7. Sutter, Geoff. (2010). National recovery plan for the maidenhair spleenwort, Asplenium hookerianum. Victoria. Department of Sustainability and Environment., Australia. Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage, and the Arts., Tasmania. Department of Primary Industries, Water, and Environment. Melbourne: Dept of Sustainability and Environment. ISBN 9781742420646. OCLC 696067764.
  8. Thorsen, Michael J.; Dickinson, Katharine J.M.; Seddon, Philip J. (2009-11-20). "Seed dispersal systems in the New Zealand flora". Perspectives in Plant Ecology, Evolution and Systematics. 11 (4): 285–309. doi:10.1016/j.ppees.2009.06.001.
  9. de Lange, Peter J.; Rolfe, Jeremy R.; Barkla, John W.; Courtney, Shannel P.; Champion, Paul D.; Perrie, Leon R.; Beadel, Sarah M.; Ford, Kerry A.; Breitwieser, Ilse; Schönberger, Ines; Hindmarsh-Walls, Rowan; Heenan, Peter B.; Ladley, Kate (2013-08-01). "Conservation status of New Zealand indigenous vascular plants, 2012". New Zealand Threat Classification Series. 3: 1–70.
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