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Scientific Name
Pneumatopteris pennigera
Family Name
THELYPTERIDACEAE
Common Name
Lime fern
Status
Vulnerable
Height
0.4m -1.1m (40-110cm)
Flowers
None
Fruit
Spores
Form
Clump-forming fern; rootstock erect, short ;trunk; fronds erect in tussock, Pinnae broad- based, deeply lobed, lower pinnae reduced.
Municipalities
Burnie; King Island; Meander Valley; Waratah-Wynyard
Communities
Riparian; Boggy sites
Habitat Notes
Very rare in Tasmania. Only four extant populations known from the north west and King Island. Found in riparian situations or soaks. Will tolerate boggy soils and most frosts. Specimens on King Island are smaller and paler green than those on mainland Tasmania.
Site Tolerance
Moist; Shady; Waterlogged
Frost Tolerance
Hardy
Soil Tolerance
Poor; Poorly-drained
General Notes
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.
Propagation Details
Propagation Calendar
Flowering Months
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Seed Collecting Months
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Sowing Months
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Cutting Months
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Seed Information
Seed Collection
Sori round lacking indusia . spores are collected when mature on the frond. unripe sori are generally light green then change to yellowish brown and to dark brown or black when mature
Seed Treatment Method
Standard
Seed Storage Life
Viable Seeds Per Gram
Seed Treatment Notes
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.
Germination Time
Suitable for Direct Seeding
Cuttings
Expected Time to Take Root
Expected Time to Plant Out
Propagation by Division
N.B. Transplant only from nearby to avoid disease.
Yes
Cutting Notes
May be propagated by division. Can be grown successfully with regular addition of lime. Needs filtered sun or partial sun and plenty of water.
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Database development and website design by
Andrew Smith