Lindsaea linearis
| Screw fern | |
|---|---|
| Screw fern at Ferndale Park, Chatswood West, Australia | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Division: | Polypodiophyta |
| Class: | Polypodiopsida |
| Order: | Polypodiales |
| Family: | Lindsaeaceae |
| Genus: | Lindsaea |
| Species: | L. linearis |
| Binomial name | |
| Lindsaea linearis | |
| Synonyms | |
Lindsaea linearis is known as the screw fern, as the fronds may have a twisting appearance. It has a creeping stem with fronds that can grow up to 50 cm (20 in) in length. It is a small fern of widespread distribution in many parts of Australia. Found in a variety of habitats, often near swamps or moist places and by rocks, heathland or open forest. It has a dark stem, unlike the similar necklace fern, which is green.
The screw fern was first described by Swedish botanist Olof Swartz in 1801, and still bears its original name.