Gully fern or Feather fern
Pneumatopteris pennigera
Pakau (Pakauroharoha)
Larger tufted fern sometimes with a trunk. A distinctive feature are the pinnae coming off opposite one another. It is found along the creek edges, usually as singluar tufts. Pakau has a brown midrib (rachis) and quite large fronds. (Note the sweet fern Pteris macilenta growing under this fern.) Used by Maori as a food flavouring and for the treatment of boils (Crowe)