Fraser's Screw Fern - profile

Indicative distribution

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Key:

known

predicted

The areas shown in pink and/purple are the sub-regions where the species or community is known or predicted to occur. They may not occur thoughout the sub-region but may be restricted to certain areas. ( click here to see geographic restrictions). The information presented in this map is only indicative and may contain errors and omissions.

Scientific name: Lindsaea fraseri

Conservation status in NSW: Endangered

Commonwealth status: Not listed

Profile last updated: 20 Oct 2020

Description

Fraser's Screw Fern is a ground fern with a creeping underground root that throws up new fronds at intervals. The fronds are slender, reaching up to 60 cm in length, and tend to thread themselves inconspicuously through other vegetation. Widely spaced, triangular, light-green leaflets lie on either side of a straw-coloured stem. The leafless part of the stem is less than half of the frond length. The spores are produced under a narrow flap that runs almost entirely around the leaflet margin.

Distribution

In NSW it is known only from two areas - near Hastings Point on the Tweed coast and in the Pillar Valley east of Grafton. Also occurs in far north and south-east Queensland.

Habitat and ecology

Poorly drained, infertile soils in swamp forest or open eucalypt forest, usually as part of a ferny understorey.

Regional distribution and habitat

Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.

Threats

Loss of habitat from land development and clearing.
Frequent fire.
Track maintenance and mowing.
Risk of local extinction because numbers are low.
Lack of information on the species in NSW to inform a conservation management strategy

Recovery strategies

A Saving Our Species conservation project is currently being developed for this species and will be available soon. For information on how you can contribute to this species' recovery, see the Activities to assist this species section below.

Activities to assist this species

Protect known habitat from fire, particularly at frequent intervals.
Identify populations near tracks and protect them during works.
Protect areas of known and potential habitat from development or disturbance.
Notify the OEH of any new locations of this fern.

Information sources

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (2002) Threatened Species of the Upper North Coast of NSW: Flora. (NSW NPWS, Coffs Harbour)

IBRA Bioregion	IBRA Subregion	Known or predicted	Geographic restrictions region

NSW North Coast	Yuraygir	Predicted	Within 30km of coast
South Eastern Queensland	Burringbar-Conondale Ranges	Known	Within 30km of coast
South Eastern Queensland	Sunshine Coast-Gold Coast Lowlands	Predicted	Within 30km of coast