Blechnum parrisiae

(previously known as Doodia australis, and Doodia media)

Rasp Fern / Pukupuku

ABOUT:
Grown for its variable coloured fronds, Rasp Fern is coarse to the touch, and usually founds in open coastal areas and light scrub.

IDENTIFY:     
30cm high x 50cm wide.  Gradually creeps outward, forming a clump. Pink new fronds, changing to light green and then to a darker green with age.

USE:
Looks best planted en masse. Great as a groundcover, on a greenwall, planted against harsh natural elements such as rock, or in a container.

PLANT:
Reasonably frost and drought tolerant once established. Better planted in good light and with regular watering to get the best colour from young fronds. Remove older leaves to keep this one from looking scrappy.

SIMILAR TO:     
Prickly Rasp Fern (Blechnum neohollandicum) – likely now extinct in the wild. Spreads more vigorously, and dies back even in Auckland’s winters.

MORE INFO:
http://www.o2landscapes.com/pages/pp-doodia.php
http://www.terrain.net.nz/friends-of-te-henui-group/nz-ferns/doodia-australis-rasp-fern.html
http://www.nzpcn.org.nz/flora_details.aspx?ID=2110