Doodia australis

Botanical name: Doodia australis
Synonyms: Blechnum parrisiae, Doodia media subsp. australis
Common name(s): Rasp fern, Pukupuku, Fragrant fern

About:
A hardy and highly adaptable native fern recognised for its stiff rasp-like fronds and striking pink to reddish new growth. Forms spreading colonies in open coastal and lowland habitats.

Natural habitat:
Open forest margins, light scrub, rough pasture, coastal banks, clay slopes and disturbed ground.

Growing environment:
Sun tolerant, drought tolerant, clay soil tolerant and coastal tolerant. Thrives in exposed conditions and performs especially well on poorly drained clay soils.

Endemic distribution:
Indigenous to New Zealand, Australia, Norfolk Island and Lord Howe Island. In New Zealand it occurs on the Kermadec Islands, Three Kings Islands, throughout much of the North Island, and locally in the northern South Island including the Marlborough Sounds, northwest Nelson and Banks Peninsula.

Height:
Fronds 11–60 cm long

Width:
Spreading colonies to 1 m or more wide

Uses:

• Native fern gardens
• Coastal landscaping
• Clay bank stabilisation
• Understory planting
• Urban native plantings
• Container growing
• Restoration planting

Appearance:
Growth habit:
Small to medium-sized fern with a short erect stem and spreading colonies formed through stolons or branching rhizomes.

Foliage:
Fronds stiff, harsh and narrowly elliptic to linear. Young fronds emerge pink to reddish before maturing green. Mature fronds feel rough or raspy to the touch.

Frond structure:
Pinnate fronds with 20–50 pairs of pinnae. Lower pinnae stalked or fused to the rachis, upper pinnae adnate and often decurrent.

Reproduction:
Spore-producing fern with linear sori arranged along the undersides of fertile pinnae.

Ecology:
Minute spores are dispersed by wind. Often self-sows readily in suitable habitats and disturbed urban environments.

Associated habitats:
Found in coastal scrub, forest margins, clay banks, disturbed ground and open lowland vegetation.

How to grow:
Extremely easy to grow in full sun to partial shade. Prefers moisture during establishment but tolerates drought, wind and difficult soils once established.

Propagation:
Readily propagated from fresh spores or division of established colonies.

Cultural use:
A commonly recognised native fern valued for its resilience and adaptability in both natural and cultivated landscapes.

Garden value:
Excellent for difficult dry banks, coastal gardens and low-maintenance native plantings. The colourful new growth and spreading habit make it especially attractive in urban and contemporary landscapes.