DENNSTAEDTIACEAE

Downy ground-fern, Sticky ground-fern

 

0.8m - 2.7m (80-270cm) long 

None 

Spores 

Coarse textured fern; rootstock with soft, reddish brown hairs; fronds broadly ovate, 2-4 times pinnate, dull green.. 

Break O'Day; Central Coast; Circular Head; Devonport; Flinders Island; Georgetown; Glamorgan-Spring Bay 

Alluvial flats; Gullies 

Absent from most of Tas. but locally abundant along the central north and east coasts. Grows in the fertile soils of alluvial flats and on the higher slopes of gullies. H. glandulifera often occurs with H. rugosul and can be recognised by its broad fronds wih drooping habit colour - less glandular hairs and glaucous older fronds. 

Moist; Shady 

Moderate 

Fertile; Loam; Well-drained 

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 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. 

Sori, round to 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 

Also propagate by division. Grows in extensive colonies in shady situations and also in full sun where clumps are extremely dense. Best suited to large gardens or where it can spread. Likes plenty of water. Fronds are sticky in shady situations but much less so if grown in full sun. Tolerates light to moderate frosts.