This small fern has a long-creeping slender rhizome that is covered in short brown hairs. It has erect woody reddish stipes with triangular-shaped divided bright green fronds that form a tangled low mounded habit and the fertile fronds appear during summer.

Hardiness zones 8 to 10 

Hypolepis distans is naturally found from New Zealand to King Island growing in moist, well drained humus rich soils in a protected semi shaded position with wind and drought protection but is frost tolerant. 

This Ground Fern is grown for its foliage and is planted in woodland settings along water courses or in rock crevices and may be mass planted as a ground cover. It is suitable for coastal regions establishing from division in 1 to 2 years and is used in small gardens or bright conservatories in cold areas.
It is suitable for gully settings and is commonly grown as a potted shade house plant. ID 2172

Note:
It is not commonly cultivated and may be difficult to obtained, requiring a specialist nursery.

Hypolepis (hy-poh-LEP-is) distans (dis-TAN-s)

Dennstaedtiaceae (den-SHTED-tee-AY-see-ee)