| Screw fern | |
|---|---|
| Screw fern at Ferndale Park, Chatswood West, Australia | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Division: | Pteridophyta |
| Class: | Polypodiopsida/Pteridopsida (disputed) |
| Order: | Polypodiales |
| Family: | Lindsaeaceae |
| Genus: | Lindsaea |
| Species: | L. linearis |
| Binomial name | |
|
Lindsaea linearis Sw. |
|
| Synonyms | |
Lindsaea linearis is known as the screw fern, as the fronds may have a twisting appearance. A small fern of widespread distribution in many parts of Australia. Found in a variety of habitats, often near swamps or moist places. 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.