Ngarara Wehi (Ota)

Description:

Leather-Leaf fern is a native to New Zealand and is a creeping epiphyte found on tree trunks, branches, or on coastal rocks. Its thick leathery tongue shape fronds are 3 -20cm long, 1 to 2cm wide and are tough and leathery. These thick fronds plus the minute hairs on it's under surfaces stop dehydration in dry weather. This fern has a range of frond shapes; the longer narrow ones are fertile and on maturity are usually covered with sori on the underside. The smaller rounded fronds are barren. Spotted near the Massey memorial, Miramar peninsula, while hiking.