''Gleichenia rupestris'' is a small

fern A fern (Polypodiopsida or Polypodiophyta ) is a member of a group of vascular plants (plants with xylem and phloem) that reproduce via spores and have neither seeds nor flowers. The polypodiophytes include all living pteridophytes except t ...

growing in eastern

Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...

. Referred to as one of the coral ferns. The specific epithet ''rupestris'' refers to it being seen growing near rocks. A common plant, often seen growing under waterfalls, in swamps, under cliffs, on rocks and in tall open forest. It prefers high humidity and good levels of sunshine and moisture. It sometimes seen growing next to ''

Gleichenia dicarpa ''Gleichenia dicarpa'', commonly known as pouched coral fern or tangle fern, is a small fern of the family Gleicheniaceae found in eastern Australia, New Caledonia and New Zealand. It forms tangled thickets in wet places such as swamps and rive ...

'' and ''

Gleichenia microphylla ''Gleichenia microphylla'' is a small fern growing in Australia and New Zealand. Some of the other common names include: scrambling coral fern, umbrella fern, parasol fern, carrier tangle, matua-rarauhe, matuku, tapuwae kotuku, waewae kaka, wae ...

'', however those plants have a rough hairy stem, and the stem of ''Gleichenia rupestris'' is smooth and glossy. This plant first appeared in scientific literature in the ''

Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae ''Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae et Insulae Van Diemen'' (Prodromus of the Flora of New Holland and Van Diemen's Land) is a flora of Australia written by botanist Robert Brown and published in 1810. Often referred to as ''Prodromus Flora Novae ...

'' in the year 1810, authored by Robert Brown.

References

rupestris Flora of New South Wales Flora of Victoria (Australia) Plants described in 1810 {{Polypodiidae-stub