Kingdom Plantae Class Polypodiopsida Family Pteridaceae Rank Species | Division Pteridophyta Order Polypodiales Subfamily Cheilanthoideae | |
 | ||
Similar Pellaea paradoxa, Pellaea calidirupium, Pellaea falcata, Pyrrosia rupestris, Blechnum patersonii | ||
Dwarf Sickle Fern, known as Pellaea nana is a fern species in the Cheilanthoideae subfamily of the Pteridaceae. It grows in eastern Australia, in rainforest or moist eucalyptus forest, often on rocks, cliffs and large boulders. Also found growing on Lord Howe Island. The original specimen was collected by Allan Cunningham at the Brisbane River. In the state of Victoria, this plant is considered rare. The specific epithet nana is derived from the Latin word nanus meaning dwarf. As this is a small plant.
Fronds usually are 20 to 50 cm long. Fronds have between 25 to 65 leaflets. These pinnae (fern leaflets) have a short stalk or no stalk, oblong to narrow-oblong in shape. 25 mm long, 2.5 to 7 cm wide. Fronds are dark green, paler below. Sori are about 1 mm wide.