Hypolepis muelleri (Harsh Ground Fern)

Hypolepis muelleri is an Australian native fern known for its tall, erect fronds and rugged texture. Growing from long-creeping rhizomes 1–3 mm in diameter, it can form extensive groundcover colonies in shaded woodland and moist forest environments.

The fronds are 0.3–1 m long, with stipes reddish-brown at the base and transitioning to light brown or straw-yellow toward the top. The stipe and main rachis are mostly smooth or sparsely hairy, while secondary rachises carry stiff, curved, non-glandular hairs. The triangular lamina is dark green and harsh in texture, 1-pinnate at the apex and at least 3-pinnate at the base, with oblong ultimate segments that may be simple or lobed.

Sori develop away from the frond margins, lack a protective indusium, and feature short hairs among the sporangia, facilitating spore dispersal. Hypolepis muelleri thrives in moist, shaded gardens, rainforest margins, and naturalistic landscaping where a robust and textured fern is desired.