English: Kangaroo fern; Hound's tongue.
Synonym: Microsorum pustulatum.
Māori : Kōwaowao; Pāraharaha.
Region: eastern Australia, New Zealand.
Habitat: wet sclerophyll forest, rainforest, open subalpine environments; prefers partial to full shade; middle storey mostly, from forest floors to canopies.
BotanyFern; epiphytic, lithophytic; climbing on fallen logs, rocks, growing plants, via long, creeping grey-green rhizomes; up to 30 cm tall, 120 cm wide.
Root: rhizomes with scales; scales clathrate, ovate; ± 5 mm long, 1 to 2 mm wide.
Leaves: resembling a kangaroo foot; glossy-green; leathery; thick, wavy margins; 1 to 9 lobed pairs, erect to pendant, 5 to 50 cm long.
Sori: small, blistered, as pustules; distinct; circular; 3 to 4 mm wide; on abaxial surface.
Spores: ± 50 µm long, 25 µm wide; pale; with wart-like protuberances.