Hooker's Spleenwort

This small fern may be found two forms. The broad-pinnuled version's fronds have rounded ultimate segments while the narrow-pinnuled version has very fine and narrow ultimate segments.

Asplenium hookerianum is found in New Zealand (including the Chatham Islands) and Australia.

New Zealand. Found throughout the North and South Islands of New Zealand. Less common in Northland, inland Taranaki, western Waikato, King Country and the West Coast. Its range extends to Stewart Island and the Chatham Islands although it is uncommon. Occurs in lowland and montane forests, on shaded clay banks and rocky outcrops, in shrubland and open forest. May also be found among grass and in open pasture, under pine and macrocarpa trees, and in disturbed forest remnants. In the South Island, it is mostly confined to lowland areas. In the North Island, it can reach elevations of up to 1,375 metres (4,510 ft) but is less common above 1,000 metres (3,300 ft) on both islands.

Australia. Found in Tasmania and Victoria where an estimated 700 plants live in four wild populations. Little is known about the previous distribution of this species. In Tasmania, it occurs in rainforest, usually on the heavily shaded margins of waterways and vertical banks. It may also be found in sheltered gullies within drier forests. Can also be found growing on the lower trunks of soft tree-ferns. They may reach elevations of up to 500 metres (1,600 ft). In Victoria, it occurs on sheltered rock faces in cracks and crevices under overhangs. They may reach elevations of up to 1,200 metres (3,900 ft). …

Asplenium hookerianum is easily grown and makes a good pot plant, though it is slow growing. It is prone to scale and mealy bug infestations. It is not commercially available.