Pellaea rotundifolia is a terrestrial fern with a creeping stem (rhizome) bearing erect, narrow and leathery fronds with rounded to oblong leaflets. An endemic fern found from the Three Kings Islands south to Dunedin on the South Island in dry rocky areas.
It needs acidic and well-drained soil; it does not appreciate the moist, humid conditions that most ferns require so does well with minimal watering.