Hypolepis rugosula is commonly known as the Ruddy Ground-fern due to its underground stems and the coloration of its rachis and tubercles.
It can be found commonly within its preferred growing conditions, however it is rarely commercially available.
The organism is not native to Western Australia.
Not threatened in Western Australia
Hypolepis rugosula is a terrestrial plant with long hairy rhizomes that ranges from 0.4m to 2m tall.The fronds of the plant are dark green, broad and divided three times. There are no scales on the rhizome or stem.
One of the characteristic features of Hypolepis rugosula is the color of the stalk that attaches the leaf blade to the stem. It is a red-brown or chest-nut brown colour that becomes lighter towards the tip. The stalk is also covered in hairs, some of which are capable of secretion.
Another identifying feature of Hypolepis rugosula is the fine covering of red-brown hairs on the underside of the blades of the fronds.
The pinnae of the fronds can be classified as primary, secondary and tertiary, with primary pinnae being longer and secondary and tertiary pinnae being smaller. The longest primary pinnae range from 13-55 cm long and 5-25 cm wide, longest secondary pinnae range from 3-15 cm long and 12-50 mm wide while the longest tertiary pinnae range from 7-40 mm long and 3-15 mm wide.
The veins on the fronds end at the ultimate pinnules. The sori of Hypolepis rugosula are interesting in that they lack paraphyses and are instead covered by laminal flaps, or simply have no covering at all.
The spores of Hypolepis rugosula are pale and covered with spines.
Hypolepis rugosula is a vigorous creeping fern that tolerates very damp conditions but remains terrestrial. In it's preferred environment it is common in ditches, disturbed soil or on embankments beside tracks.
Before the creation of the Hypolepis genus, species we recognize today as belonging to Hypolepis were originally grouped under the genus Polypodium due to the lack of indusial flaps.
Hypolepis rugosula was one of many Hypolepis species that were moved from the Polypodium genus to the Dryopteris genus, but layer renamed and reclassified due to new information and research techniques, such as identification of the number of chromosomes in the species (Brownlie, 1954).
Hypolepis rugosula is thought to be one of only two members of the Hypolepis genus that is native to Australia (Brownsey & Chinnock, 1987) and was likely introduced to Western Australia from the eastern states.
Unfortunately there has been relatively little research done into the Hypolepis genus in Australia and New Zealand due to the common misapplication of names because of the polymorphic nature of individual species and a general failure to recognize the critical taxonomic characters in the genus (Brownsey & Chinnock, 1984).
Hypolepis rugosula can be found all throughout Australia however it is most common in the eastern states where it is thought to have originated. It can also be found commonly in higher the higher regions of New Zealand.
Hypolepis rugosula is found most frequently in streambeds, damp gullies, along drainage ditches and in swampy ground, usually in clearings, forest margins or open situations, on soil or sometimes on rock (Brownsey & Chinnock, 1987). It tends to grow at higher altitudes and has been observed as high as 1400 m above sea level.
While Hypolepis Rugosula does not have any known medicinal uses, it is extremely useful for underplanting due to its tendency to creep vigorously in damp or disturbed soils.
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