Trichomanes reniforme Forst. f. Prodr. 1786, 84

Synonym: Cardiomanes reniforme (Forst. f.) Presl.

Kidney Fern, Raurenga, Konehu, Kopakopa

While most reference books available still refer to the species by this botanical name, it has now been renamed Hymenophyllum nephrophyllum. Further information, including photographs, is on this section of the website

Information available from New Zealand Flora under former name:

Family: Hymenophyllaceae

Genus: Trichomanes

Subgenus: Cardiomanes

Species: Trichomanes reniforme

Hymenophyllaceae Indusia

From NZ Plant Conservation Network:

Ebihara et al. (2006) have just published a worldwide revision of the Hymenophyllaceae (Filmy Ferns) based mainly on both molecular sequences obtained from the chloroplast gene rbcL, (including the following regions rbcL-accD and rps4-trnS) and morphology. From their work they conclude that subdivision of Trichomanes is necessary to maintain monophyly. A major departure from past treatments is the recognition that kidney fern (known here as either Trichomanes reniforme G.Forst or Cardiomanes reniforme (G.Forst.) C.Presl) is better placed within Hymenophyllum Sm., and as the species epithet “reniforme” is preoccupied within that genus a new name Hymenophyllum nephrophyllum Ebihara et K.Iwats. is proposed.

In addition, Trichomanes venosum R.Br. is reinstated as the type of the revived genus Polyphlebium Copel., and both the endemic T. colensoi Hook.f., and indigenous T. endlicherianum C.Presl. are transferred to that genus as P. colensoi (Hook.f.) Ebihara et K.Iwats and P. endlicherianum (C.Presl.) Ebihara et K.Iwats, respectively.

The remaining two species of Trichomanes, T. elongatum A.Cunn. and T. strictum Menzies ex Hook. et Grev. have been moved to the genus Abrodictyum C.Presl. as A. elongatum (A.Cunn.) Ebihara et K.Iwats. and A. strictum (Menzies ex Hook. et Grev.) Ebihara et K.Iwats. respectively.

Monophyly: It is a principle of taxonomy that the members of a given taxon (biological group) should descend from a single parent taxon. If it can be shown that some members of a group belong properly to a parent taxon different from others in the group, the group is said to be polyphyletic and is normally revised accordingly.