Classification
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Anemia phyllitidis (L.) Sw., Syn. Fil. 155 (1806)
Synonymy:
  • Osmunda phyllitidis L., Sp. Pl. 1064 (1753)
Lectotype (selected by Proctor 1985): Plate “Osmunda lanceolata et subtiliter serrata” in Plumier, Traité Foug. Amér., 133, t. 156 (1705)!
Etymology:
From the Greek phyllitidis (like Phyllitis).
 Recognition

New Zealand material, comprising one known collection, has the following characteristics. Rhizomes erect, bearing orange-brown hairs. Fronds c. 380 mm long, hemidimorphic. Stipes c. 210 mm long, bearing orange-brown hairs. Sterile portion of each lamina pinnate, ovate, c. 170 mm long, c. 130 mm wide. Primary pinnae in 2–5 pairs below a similar apical pinna, ovate, apices acuminate, the longest c. 80 mm long, 20 mm wide. Rachises bearing orange-brown hairs. Venation reticulate. Basal pair of pinnae fertile, held erect on stalks c. 100 mm long, arising very close to basal pair of sterile pinnae; apical portion skeletonised, 3–4 pinnate, c. 70 mm long, c. 15 mm wide, bearing sporangia in two rows either side of each costa.

 Distribution

North Island: Northland

Altitudinal range: 10 m.

Known as a cultivation escape from one locality in Kerikeri.

Occurs naturally in Mexico, Central and South America (Mickel & Smith 2004).

 Habitat

Reported as growing on a steep, south-facing bank near a site previously occupied by the now-dead parent plant.

 Biostatus
Exotic
 First Record

Ogle et al. (2021). Voucher AK 327905, 2008.

 Notes

Anemia phyllitidis is distinguished from its congeners by its pinnate fronds, fertile pinnae that arise very close to the basal pair of sterile pinnae, acuminate pinnae, and reticulate venation involving every vein in each sterile pinna.

 Bibliography
Brownsey, P.B.; Perrie, L.R. 2021: Anemiaceae. In: Breitwieser, I. (ed.) Flora of New Zealand — Ferns and Lycophytes. Fascicle 32. Manaaki Whenua Press, Lincoln.
Linnaeus, C. 1753: Species Plantarum. Impensis Laurentii Salvii, Stockholm.
Mickel, J.T.; Smith, A.R. 2004: The Pteridophytes of Mexico. Memoirs of the New York Botanical Garden 88: 1–1054.
Ogle, C.C.; de Lange, P.J.; Cameron, E.K.; Parris, B.S.; Champion, P.D. 2021: Checklist of dicotyledons, gymnosperms and pteridophytes naturalised or casual in New Zealand: additional records 2007–2019. Perspectives in Biosecurity Research Series 5: 45–116.
Plumier, C. 1705: Traité des fougères de l’Amérique. Paris.
Proctor, G.R. 1985: Ferns of Jamaica. British Museum (Natural History), London.
Swartz, O.P. 1806: Synopsis Filicum, earum genera et species systematicae complectens. Kiel.