Arthropteris tenella (G.Forst.) J.Sm. ex Hook.F.

Rhizome 1.5–4 mm diam.; upper surface densely covered with spreading elongate red-brown scales (frequently lost with age), which sometimes bear short marginal teeth. Fronds 12–30 cm long, tapering towards base and partly to apex; uppermost pinna pair and terminal pinna often enlarged. Stipes 2–12 cm long; lower surface of rachis bearing scattered scales and sparse to dense short curled hairs; upper surface with rare scales only. Pinnae bearing similar hairs on lower surface (but glabrescent) and on proximal part of upper and lower midrib (where persistent); base not auriculate; apex usually attenuate but acuminate or rounded in sterile pinnae. Sterile pinnae (5–) 10–110 mm long, 10–18 mm wide; margins entire. Fertile pinnae (18–) 40–160 mm long, (5–) 10–23 mm wide; margins entire to crenate. Sori superficial, at two-thirds to three-quarters distance from midrib to margin; indusium absent. See also Green (1994: 607).

Epiphytic in rainforest, usually on tree trunks, occasionally reaching the canopy, or lithophytic in damp gullies. Common in the dense forest of the National Park on Norfolk Island, and likewise in the forest on the northern half of Lord Howe Island (Green 1994).