Large, leathery fronds have deeply lobed margins. They feature a distinctive, wavy edge. The hound's tongue fern is one of the most common epiphytic ferns in New Zealand forests. It is easily recognised by its size. Its lobed, tongue-shaped fronds are unmistakable. It grows on tree trunks. It grows on branches. It grows on rocks. Occasionally it appears on the forest floor. It is not picky. It just needs a bit of shade and a bit of moisture. The flexibility is an asset. The fronds are bright green and leathery. A prominent midrib runs through the centre. The undersides have raised, dark spots. These are the sori. They contain the spores. The sori are arranged in rows. This gives the fern its species name pustulata, meaning blistered or pimpled. The texture is distinct. The rhizome is long-creeping. It is thick and fleshy. It is covered in scales. The structure is robust. It climbs. The hound's tongue fern is a climber. It sends out its creeping rhizome across tree trunks and branches. It anchors itself at intervals. A single plant can cover a large area of bark. Its fronds jut out at intervals like green flags. It is not a fast grower. But it is persistent. The spread is steady. It claims space over time. The coverage is extensive. Reproduction occurs by spores, like all ferns. The fertile fronds are similar to the sterile ones. They may be slightly taller. They bear the sporangia on their undersides. The spores are released when the sori mature. They drift through the forest. They land on bark and rock. They wait for a damp spot to germinate. The process is slow. It relies on chance. The name kōwaowao refers to the hollow, chambered rhizome. Kōwao means hollow or chambered. If you break the rhizome, you can see the internal chambers. These were sometimes used as drinking straws. They were used for blowing air onto fires. The utility was practical. The design was functional. The plant served multiple purposes. In a forest of tree ferns and ground ferns and climbing ferns, the hound's tongue fern is the one that covers the trunks. It is the green blanket on the bark. It is the living skin of the trees. It is not the tallest. It is not the flashiest. But it is everywhere, once you start looking. The presence is ubiquitous. It defines the visual texture of the forest. Walk through a lowland forest. Look at the tree trunks. Those large, lobed, leathery fronds climbing the bark are the hound's tongue fern. Kōwaowao. The fern with the hollow stem. It has been here for millions of years. It will be here for millions more. It does not need to be famous. It just needs a tree trunk, a bit of shade, and the patience to climb. No one told it otherwise.