About Cranfillia deltoides (Colenso) de Lange & Parris
Cranfillia deltoides is a medium-sized green fern. This species can be distinguished from other related ferns by its low growth habit, narrow triangular sterile fronds, and deflexed basal pinnae; its basal pinna segments are only slightly reduced in size.
In terms of distribution and habitat, Cranfillia deltoides occurs on all three major islands of New Zealand, the Chatham Islands, and southeast Australia. It is rare in areas north of Auckland. This fern grows on steep banks including cliff faces and roadsides, and is occasionally found near water on streamsides. It grows from coastal areas up to montane elevations, and is more common at elevations above 200m.
Ecologically, Cranfillia deltoides is often found growing in podocarp forests, beech forests, and mānuka and kānuka forests. It may sometimes grow as a low epiphyte on other plants.
