Blechnum pallidum (Hook. & Am.) Brack.; Sadleria fauriei Copel.; S. hillebrandii W. J. Rob.; S. rigida Copel.

Common names: 'ama 'u, ma 'u, ma 'uma 'u, pua 'a 'ehu'ehu (red pig), 'iima'uma'u; 'ama'u 'i'i, 'i'i, 'i'i'i (P. & E.)

Endemic

Latin pallidus, pale, in reference to the generally lighter color of the fronds when compared with Sadleria cyatheoides.

Plants medium-sized. Rhizomes decumbent to erect, up to 4 m long, branching. Fronds erect, 30-105+ cm long. Stipes grooved, pink to tan, naked except at bases or scaly throughout; scales linear-triangular, bases hastate, stiff, margins light brown, dark central rib extending to sharp-acuminate tip (some scales softer, tan, concolorous, with hairlike tip), not glandular. Blades 1-pinnate-pinnatisect to 2-pinnate at bases of larger pinnae, lanceolate-elliptic. Pinnae linear-lanceolate, upper surfaces green, dull, lower surfaces light green. Ultimate segments 14-36 pairs (usually fewer than 30) per pinna, rectangular, tips obtuse, 0.6-1.9 cm long, basiscopic basal segments sometimes enlarged and overlying rachis. Veins translucent on living material, extending to and touching cartilaginous margins, appearing as dark or raised lines on dried specimens. Indusia firm.

Common terrestrial fern in closed-canopy wet forests or on open, rainy, windswept ridges, 25-2,150 m, all major islands.

Sadleria pallida may be recognized by the number of ultimate segments per pinna, usually less than 30. The ultimate segments are wide, nonfalcate, with translucent veins that extend to and touch a cartilaginous margin. Stipe bases have characteristic stiff, pointed scales with dark midribs and tan margins. The stipes may be glabrous except at the bases, or scaly throughout.