Plants 1.5–5 cm tall. Tuber whitish, covered with papery scales; usually with one lateral root. Leaves usually less than 10, rosetted at apex of tuber, linear, 1–2 cm long, fleshy, near-circular in cross-section; apex acute. Strobili terminal, 5–7 mm long, on leafless, fleshy stalk up to 4 cm long. Sporophylls spirally arranged, closely overlapping, spreading when ripe, broadly ovate-triangular, narrowing abruptly to acuminate apex. Sporangia in axil of each sporophyll, broad, kidney-shaped, pale yellow.
LoM, Wim, GleP, Brid, VVP, GipP, OtP, WaP, Gold, CVU, GGr, DunT, EGL, EGU, WPro, HSF, HNF, OtR, Strz. Also WA, SA, ?NSW, Tas. (including Bass Strait islands). New Zealand. Widespread but inconspicuous plant in the southern half of Victoria, occasionally forming extensive colonies on wet peaty soil in winter and spring, particularly after fire.
Source:
Entwisle, T.J. (1994). Ferns and allied plants (Psilophyta, Lycopodiophyta, Polypodiophyta). In: Walsh, N.G.; Entwisle, T.J., Flora of Victoria Vol. 2, Ferns and Allied Plants, Conifers and Monocotyledons, pp. 13–111. Inkata Press, Melbourne.
