This fern, also known as Austral Bracken, is the southern hemisphere equivalent of our northern hemisphere Pteridium aquilinum which we also know as Bracken. It is found in almost all parts of Australia as well as New Zealand and other Pacific islands but in Western Australia is commonest near the coast from Albany to north of Geraldton. There are differences between this and northern hemisphere Bracken such as the shape of the sori and the hairs of the rhizomes but from a photographer's perspective they do look very much the same.

Beedelup National Park, Karri Valley, Western Australia 20th August 2007

Added on 4th December 2011