Zealandia pustulata subsp. pustulata, commonly known as Kangaroo paw fern or hound’s tongue fern, is an epiphytic fern with rhizomatous creeping and climbing branches. It is a footed fern featuring dark glossy green fronds and a green foot with brownish hairs. It is considered to be part of the bear’s paw group. It is native to Australia and New Zealand. Leathery fronds are quite variable in shape and size, ranging from simple entire fronds to irregularly lobed or deeply pinnatifid fronds. Sori appear in a single row on frond undersides and are usually slightly sunken.
The name of this fern has been changed a number of times over the years. Prior names (now synonyms) include Phymatosorus diversifolius, Microsorum pustulatum, Phymatodes diversifolium, Phymatosorus pustulatum, Polypodium billardieri, and Polypodium diversifolium. By some it is accepted as Lecanopteris pustulata subsp. pustulata.
Common name of kangaroo paw fern is in reference to the shape of the fronds (one frond form resembles the footprint of a kangaroo). Common name of hound’s tongue is in reference to the purported resemblance of the entire simple frond to the drooping tongue of an out-of-breath hound.
Zealandia pustulata subsp. pustulata
Zealandia pustulata subsp. pustulata comes in following sizes:
M - is ca. 30 cm tall, and comes in a ⌀ 17 cm pot
