Macrothelypteris torresiana (Thelypteridaceae) at North Cape, North Island, New Zealand — a new southern limit for a tropical fern

Abstract

Macrothelypteris torresiana (Thelypteridaceae) is recorded for the first time from mainland New Zealand, from the Surville Cliffs, near North Cape, in the North Island. Prior to this discovery, M. torresiana was only known within the New Zealand botanical region from Raoul (Rangitahua) Island, Kermadec Islands. The presence of this tropical fern at North Cape provides an additional example of a vagrant element within the flora of mainland New Zealand.