DENNSTAEDTIACEAE

Wiry ground-fern

Vulnerable 

0.2m - 0.45m (20-45cm) 

None 

Spores 

Slender fern, rootstock; long-creeping c. dark brown hairs, fronds; narrow- ovate 2-3 times pinnate, dark green, harsh to touch. 

Burnie; King Island 

Sedgeland and Wetland; Swampland; Tea-tree or melaleuca scrub 

Very rare in Tas. Found on King Island and recently idenitified at two sites in the north west of mainland Tas. Occurs in moist,badly drained soils or on rotting logs in tea-tree & Melaleuca scrub or on margins of swampland. Tolerates light to moderate frosts. Recognise by bipinnate fronds c. well-spaced pinnules. 

Moist; Waterlogged 

Moderate 

Poor; Poorly-drained; Rotting logs 

Fronds, or portions of fronds, containing ripe spores can be placed in a paper bag which is left upright in a dry and draught-free place. Spores should begin to release immediately and all spores are released within days unless the species has tough, leathery fronds. Spores settle at the bottom of the bag. Some species produce vast quantities of spores from one frond, others require dozens of fronds to produce the same amount. After sowing specks of green appear after 2-4 weeks. These are the young prothalli and during the next 6-12 months they are at risk from overcrowding and pathogens. When the first fronds appear the sporelings can be slowly hardened by gradual removal of the container cover. Great care must be taken to avoid drying out. Prick out sporelings when the second frond appears. Suitable below powerlines. 

Sori, ovate.unripe sori are generally light green then change to yellowish brown and to dark brown or black when mature.collect mature fronds in folded paper and keep in a warm, dry place until spores are shed 

Standard 

 

 

Sow spores into a pot in a water retaining medium with good drainage. Sterilise medium & containerwith boiling water and sow spores bysprinkling a small amount onto the surface of the medium. Cover immediately with clean glass or plastic wrap and leave in a warm area in strong light but not direct sunlight. 

 

 

 

 

Yes 

Propagate by division. Grows readily in a shady position and is not invasive. Grows best in loamy soil or where they can grow onto a rotting tree fern log. also a successful container plant.