Trichomanes reniforme

Trichomanes reniforme
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Pteridophyta
Class: Polypodiopsida /
Pteridopsida (disputed)
Order: Hymenophyllales
Family: Hymenophyllaceae
Genus: Trichomanes
Species: T. reniforme
Binomial name
Trichomanes reniforme

Kidney fern, Trichomanes reniforme, is a filmy fern species native to New Zealand. It commonly grows on the forest floor of open native bush. Individual kidney-shaped ferns stand about 5-10 cm tall. In hot weather they shrivel up to conserve moisture, but open up again when the wet returns. This species has very thin fronds which are only four to six cells in thickness.[1] In the Māori language they are also called Raurenga.

A specific example of occurrence of T. reniforme is within forested areas of Westland, New Zealand, where it occurs with other fern species including Crown Fern, Blechnum discolor[2]

References

Line notes

  1. Isaac Bayley Balfour. 1890
  2. C. Michael Hogan. 2009