BLECHNACEAE

Wedge water-fern

 

0.1m - 0.4m (10-40cm) 

None 

Spores 

Fern with dark green leathery fronds on long stalks, segments sickle-shaped. 

Burnie; Central Coast; Central Highlands; Derwent Valley; Glamorgan-Spring Bay; Glenorchy; Hobart; Huon Valley; Kentish; Kingborough; Launceston; Meander Valley; Northern Midlands; Tasman; Waratah-Wynyard; West Coast 

Fern Gullies; Rainforest 

Common and widespread in western half of state and in a few locations elsewhere. Grows in cool, moist habitats in rainforest or on rock outcrops in high rainfall areas. Grows from rock overhangs, cliff faces and waterfalls or along watercourse margins. Intolerant of dryness, resents disturbance and is slow to re-establish. 

Exposed; Moist; Rocky; Shady 

Hardy 

Fertile; Loam; Poor; Poorly-drained; Well-drained 

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. 2-4 weeks after sowing specks of green appear. 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. 

Collect spores when mature on the frond. unripe sori aregenerally light green then change to yellowish brown and to dark brown or black when mature. fertile segments on separate fronds. see also general notes 

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. 

2-4 weeks 

 

 

 

Yes 

Ferns producing stolons such as Blechnum species can be propagated by removing offsets from the rootstock. This method has a high success rate.