Davallia solida var. pyxidata
Encyclopedia
Davallia solida var. pyxidata known as the Hare's Foot Fern occurs in eastern Australia
. Usually seen as a lithophyte
or epiphyte
in or near rainforest areas. However, it may also be seen in a few locations west of the Great Dividing Range
. Listed as vulnerable in Victoria
, occurring in the Grampians
.
Most often seen growing from cracks in rocks. But it can also be seen growing in "baskets" formed by other epiphyte
ic ferns such as those in the Platycerium
and Asplenium
genuses. The name "Hare's Foot" comes from the furry exposed rhizome
s. The former specific epithet pyxidata is from Greek, and it refers to a "box", as the sori are partially encased by the frond.
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. Usually seen as a lithophyte
Lithophyte
Lithophytes are a type of plant that grows in or on rocks. Lithophytes feed off moss, nutrients in rain water, litter, and even their own dead tissue....
or epiphyte
Epiphyte
An epiphyte is a plant that grows upon another plant non-parasitically or sometimes upon some other object , derives its moisture and nutrients from the air and rain and sometimes from debris accumulating around it, and is found in the temperate zone and in the...
in or near rainforest areas. However, it may also be seen in a few locations west of the Great Dividing Range
Great Dividing Range
The Great Dividing Range, or the Eastern Highlands, is Australia's most substantial mountain range and the third longest in the world. The range stretches more than 3,500 km from Dauan Island off the northeastern tip of Queensland, running the entire length of the eastern coastline through...
. Listed as vulnerable in Victoria
Victoria (Australia)
Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
, occurring in the Grampians
Grampians National Park
The Grampians National Park is a national park in Victoria, Australia, 235 kilometres west of Melbourne. The Park was listed on the Australian National Heritage List on 15 December 2006 for its outstanding natural beauty and being one of the richest indigenous rock art sites in south-eastern...
.
Most often seen growing from cracks in rocks. But it can also be seen growing in "baskets" formed by other epiphyte
Epiphyte
An epiphyte is a plant that grows upon another plant non-parasitically or sometimes upon some other object , derives its moisture and nutrients from the air and rain and sometimes from debris accumulating around it, and is found in the temperate zone and in the...
ic ferns such as those in the Platycerium
Platycerium
Platycerium is a genus of about 18 fern species in the polypod family, Polypodiaceae. Ferns in this genus are widely known as staghorn or elkhorn ferns due to their uniquely-shaped fronds...
and Asplenium
Asplenium
Asplenium is a genus of about 700 species of ferns, often treated as the only genus in the family Aspleniaceae, though other authors consider Hymenasplenium separate, based on molecular phylogenetic analysis of DNA sequences, a different chromosome count, and structural differences in the rhizomes...
genuses. The name "Hare's Foot" comes from the furry exposed rhizome
Rhizome
In botany and dendrology, a rhizome is a characteristically horizontal stem of a plant that is usually found underground, often sending out roots and shoots from its nodes...
s. The former specific epithet pyxidata is from Greek, and it refers to a "box", as the sori are partially encased by the frond.