Narrow-leaf Finger 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: Grammitis stenophylla

Conservation status in NSW: Endangered

Commonwealth status: Not listed

Profile last updated: 04 Apr 2023

Description

The Narrow-leaf Finger Fern is a little fern, growing in large colonies, with hanging or erect fronds. The simple, narrow fronds are mostly 1 - 5 cm long, 1 - 4 mm wide, dark green and smooth, and thin but leathery. The clumps of spores on the upper two-thirds of the back of the frond appear as dark circular or oval patches in rows either side of the midrib. The base of the frond stem is hairless, unlike that of the similar-looking Finger Fern Grammitis billardieri.

Distribution

Grammitis stenophylla is known from thirty (30) locations across New South Wales. The species is known to occur in twenty four (24) conservations reserves. It is common in several areas, such as the Mount Warning Shield, the sandstone reserves of the lower Clarence, the granites of Washpool, Gibraltar and Nymbioda National Parks, and also Mt Jerusalem and Nightcap National Park. The species was also recently recorded from New England National Park. The Endangered status of this species does not appear to be warranted, and requires review. Grammittis stenophylla has an EOO (15892407km2), AOO (696km2) and number of localities= 25 that place the species in IUCN status of least concern. This species is a candidate for delisting from the NSW BIodiversity CONservation Act 2016.

Habitat and ecology

Moist places, usually near streams, on rocks in rainforest and dry and moist eucalypt forest.

Regional distribution and habitat

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

Threats

Inappropriate fire regime
Drought impacts
An unrealistic threat to this species
Weed invasion of species habitat in Sydney suburban areas subjected to nutrient enrichment.
The distribution and abundance of this species is well known.
Clearing for residential development resulting in habitat loss, edge effects and fragmentation in Sydney urban or suburban areas

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 areas of habitat from clearing and development.
Help to re-establish potential moist forest habitat, especially along streams.

Information sources

Harden, G.J. (ed.) (2000) Flora of New South Wales Vol. 1. UNSW Press, Kensington, NSW.
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

New England Tablelands	Northeast Forest Lands	Known	None
NSW North Coast	Dalmorton	Predicted	None
NSW North Coast	Karuah Manning	Known	None
NSW North Coast	Macleay Hastings	Known	None
NSW North Coast	Washpool	Known	None
Ocean	Hawkesbury Shelf	Known	None
South East Corner	Bateman	Predicted	None
South East Corner	South East Coastal Ranges	Known	None
South Eastern Queensland	Clarence Lowlands	Known	None
South Eastern Queensland	Clarence Sandstones	Known	None
South Eastern Queensland	Scenic Rim	Known	None
Sydney Basin	Cumberland	Known	None
Sydney Basin	Illawarra	Known	None
Sydney Basin	Pittwater	Known	None
Sydney Basin	Wollemi	Known	None
Sydney Basin	Wyong	Known	None
Sydney Basin	Yengo	Known	None

Related information

NSW Flora Online - Grammitis stenophylla

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