HAWAII NATURE NOTES
THE PUBLICATION OF THE
NATURALIST DIVISION, HAWAII NATIONAL PARK
AND THE HAWAII NATURAL HISTORY ASSOCIATION

(42) EKAHA OR BIRDNEST FERN

Of all Hawaiian fern species, few are more beautiful than the birdnest fern, whose fronds often reach a length of six feet. Although it has not been described from the Park, it has been included because it is abundant in the Puna District, and probably will be found in the Kalapana Extension of the Park. It normally grows in trees, but it may also attach itself to rocks. When this happens the young birdnest ferns are often called "rock ferns." The dark areas on the underside of the leaves in the illustration are spores.

EKAHA or Birdnest Fern. M, (42). The dark areas on undersurfaces are spores.