POLYPODIACEAE

Kangaroo Fern

 

 

None 

Spores 

Male fronds upright, strap-like; female fronds shaped like a kangaroo's paw. 

Break O'Day; Burnie; Central Coast; Central Highlands; Circular Head; Derwent Valley; Dorset; Flinders Island; Glamorgan-Spring Bay; Glenorchy; Hobart; Huon Valley; Kentish; King Island; Kingborough; Launceston; Meander Valley; Northern Midlands; Southern Midlands; Tasman; Waratah-Wynyard; West Coast 

Coastal Vegetation; Dry Eucalypt Forest and Woodland; Rainforest; Wet Eucalypt Forest 

Widespread and abundant from sea level to at least 850m within boulder grottos on low mountain summits. Grows on rocks or logs and is epiphytic on Dicksonia and a range of tree species in rainforest,wet sclerophyll, fern gullies and sheltered sites in dry sclerophyll forest.Will tolerate salt laden winds in coastal situations. 

Dry; Exposed; Moist; Rocky; Shady; Salt laden winds 

Hardy 

Epiphytic on rock, logs and tree species 

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.After sowing specks of green appear within 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. 

Spores borne on backs of female fronds appearing as prominent brown circular patches. spores become darker when mature 

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.