ADIANTACEAE

Annual Fern

Rare 

0.3m - 0.8m (30-80cm) tall 

None 

Spores 

Tiny ferns growing in clumps; pale green fronds erect, delicate, thin-textured 

Break O'Day; Derwent Valley; Georgetown; Glenorchy; Hobart; Kentish; Launceston; Meander Valley; Southern Midlands 

Rock ledges 

Very rare in Tasmania.Found growing in thin, mossy soil layer on rock ledges and under boulders, etc. May co-exist with mosses, liverworts and small annual or perennial angiosperms. 

Moist; Rocky 

 

 

Dies back during the dry season and shoots again with the onset of rain. Fronds, or portions of fronds, containing ripe spores can be placed in a paper bag which is left upright in a dry place. Spores should release immediately and all spores are released within days unless the species has tough, leathery fronds. Some species produce vast quantities of spores from one frond, others require dozens of fronds to produce the same amount.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. 

Spores are collected when mature on the frond. unripe sori aregenerally light green then change to yellowish brown and to dark brown or black when mature 

Standard 

 

 

Sow spores into a pot in a water retaining medium with good drainage. Sterilise medium & container with boiling water and sow spores 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.