ASPLENIACEAE

Weeping spleenwort

 

0.1m - 0.5m (10-50cm) 

None 

Spores 

Medium fern forming pendulous clumps, fronds weeping, 2-3 divided, leathery. 

Break O'Day; Burnie; Central Highlands; Clarence; Derwent Valley; Dorset; Hobart; Huon Valley; Kingborough; Latrobe; Meander Valley; Northern Midlands; Tasman; Waratah-Wynyard; West Coast; West Tamar 

Fern Gullies; Rainforest; Wet Eucalypt Forest 

Uncommon in Tas. but locally abundant in rainforest in the north west and west and with scattered distribution in the north, east and south in rainforest, wet sclerophyll forest and fern gullies. Mostly occurs near sea level but known as high as 550m. Epiphytic on several tree species and occasionally on Dicksonia. 

Moist; Shady 

 

Fertile; Well-drained; Epiphytic on dicksonia and trees 

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 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 & 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. 

 

 

 

 

 

Not common in cultivation. Needs a coarse well drained mixture and responds to regular watering. Needs humid conditions and does best in a bush house or glasshouse.