Blechnum montanum

Blechnum montanum
A fern centered in the field of view
Blechnum montanum in Nelson Lakes National Park
Not Threatened
Not Threatened (NZ TCS)[1]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Embryophytes
Clade: Tracheophytes
Division: Polypodiophyta
Class: Polypodiopsida
Order: Polypodiales
Suborder: Aspleniineae
Family: Blechnaceae
Genus: Blechnum
Species:
B. montanum
Binomial name
Blechnum montanum
T.C.Chambers & P.A.Farrant

Blechnum montanum, or mountain kiokio,[2] is a species of fern, endemic to New Zealand.[3][4]

Description

A large fern, B. montanum has scaly rhizomes that can be up to 20cm long, and strongly dimorphic fronds.[2]

Range

This species is found in the North and South Island of New Zealand, as well as the outlying subantarctic islands of the Auckland, Campbell, and Antipodes Islands, along with the Chatham Islands. North of Auckland, only hybrids with B. novae-zelandiae may be present.[2]

Habitat

On the North Island, B. montanum lives in alpine and subalpine habitats. In the South Island and on the outlying islands of New Zealand, it can be found in more diverse habitats.[2]

Etymology

Montanum comes from its montane and subalpine habitat, from the Latin montanus, for 'mountain'.[2]

Taxonomy

This species is sometimes considered part of Parablechnum.

References

  1. โ†‘ "NZTCS". nztcs.org.nz. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "Flora of New Zealand | Taxon Profile | Blechnum montanum". www.nzflora.info. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
  3. โ†‘ "Blechnum montanum (Mountain Kiokio)". iNaturalist. Retrieved 19 August 2025.
  4. โ†‘ "Blechnum montanum T.C.Chambers & P.A.Farrant - Biota of NZ". Biota of NZ. Retrieved 20 August 2025.