Pyrrosia eleagnifolia

This species was originally confused with Pyrrosia serpens, a Pacific species. The name eleagnifolia refers to the leaf appearance, and comes from elaeagnus (olive) and folium (leaf).[1]

P. eleagnifolia growing on rocks in Wellington Botanic Garden

Leather-leaf fern has thick, undivided fronds that are rounded and extremely variable in length – they can be long and thin, up to 20 cm in length, or short and broad (2 cm, rarely 3 cm wide).[1] The fronds grow on long creeping rhizomes. Sterile fronds are generally shorter and broader than fertile ones. The fronds are thick and leathery, smooth and rounded, with blunt ends. They are dark green above and abundantly covered with light-brown irregularly-branched hairs underneath.[2]

P. eleagnifolia is found throughout New Zealand, from the Kermadecs through to Stewart Island and the Chatham Islands.[2] It is a very adaptable and durable species, able to tolerate dry conditions, and grows either as an epiphyte on trees (native or introduced) or on rocks, from the coast to the mountains.[2] It is less common in the south of New Zealand, especially in Central Otago.[1]