Davallia solida var. pyxidata

Davallia solida var. pyxidata
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Division:	Pteridophyta
Class:	Pteridopsida
Order:	Polypodiales
Family:	Davalliaceae
Genus:	Davallia
Species:	D. solida
Variety:	D. s. var. pyxidata
Trinomial name
Davallia solida var. pyxidata (Cav.) Noot.
Synonyms
Davallia pyxidata Cav.

Davallia solida var. pyxidata known as the hare's foot fern, is a variety of fern that occurs in eastern Australia and is usually seen as a lithophyte or epiphyte in or near rainforest areas.^[1] 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 epiphyteic ferns such as those in the genera Platycerium and Asplenium. The name "hare's foot" comes from the furry exposed rhizomes. The former specific epithet pyxidata is from Greek, and it refers to a "box", as the sori are partially encased by the frond.^[2]

References

1. Native Plants of the Sydney District - Alan Fairley & Philip Moore ISBN 0-7318-1031-7, page 38
2. Les Robinson - Field Guide to the Native Plants of Sydney, ISBN 978-0-7318-1211-0 page 310

"Hare's foot" on sandstone, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, Australia