About Pellaea calidirupium Brownsey & Lovis
Pellaea calidirupium, commonly called the hot rock fern, is a fern species found in eastern Australia and New Zealand. It is restricted to rocky habitats in relatively arid environments. In Tasmania, where it is classified as rare, it only grows on dry rock faces in the East Coast, Midlands, and lower slopes of the Central Plateau. It is also present in the Australian states of Victoria and Queensland. This species was first formally described from specimens collected in New Zealand. Its fronds can reach up to 50 centimetres in total length. Fronds of this species are sexually dimorphic: shorter sterile fronds can have up to 12 pinnae. The stipe can make up nearly half of the total length of the frond. Both the stipe and rachis are covered in reddish brown scales and hairs. The spore-bearing rachis can hold up to 40 pinnae, with each pinna attached via a short stalk. The leaves are glossy green, and have characteristic in-rolled sori that form a band around the paler green underside of each pinna. The terminal pinna is sometimes greatly enlarged.
