Mātātā/Ring Fern (Paesia scaberula)
Last Modified: 27-2-2022 15:33
© Christopher Cookson License this image
Mātātā/Ring Fern (Paesia scaberula) is an endemic creeping ground fern found throughout New Zealand. In the South Island it is mostly found in coastal areas outside Westland, where it can be found to 1200 metres. In Marlborough it is common throughout the Marlborough Sounds, and Richmond Range, with a few examples at low altitudes, mostly in coastal ares in South Marlborough.
Key identifying features are long, creeping rhyzomes, with fronds from 25mm to over 500mm with highly divided laminae.
This example was observed in a damp gully amongst regenerating mānuka scrub and pasture in the Wither Hills Farm Park.
Image Date: 7/10/2021
Photographer: Christopher Cookson
Location: Latitude: -41.559715 Longitude: 173.968521