BLECHNACEAE

Gristle- Fern

Vulnerable 

0.5m -1.5m (50-150cm) 

None 

Spores 

Fern with pale green fronds crowded,erect broad, leathery, young fronds may be pink. 

Break O'Day; Central Coast; Circular Head; Dorset; Kingborough; Launceston; West Tamar 

Dry Eucalypt Forest and Woodland; Rainforest; Margins of wet sclerophyll forest 

Extremely rare in Tasmania. Healthy colonies were found in the 1980's at Little Beach Creek on the east coast and in Ferndene State Reserve near Penguin. Usually found in large colonies.Hardy enough to withstand clay soils and dry areas under established eucalypts. Tolerant of a range of soil types and positions. 

Dry; Moist; Shady 

 

Clay; Fertile; Loam; Sandy; 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. 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. 

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. fertile segments similar to sterile ones.see also general 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. 

2-4 weeks 

No 

 

 

Yes 

Ferns producing stolons such as Blechnum species can be propagated by removing offsets from the subterranean stolons. This method has a high success rate. This species is suitable for tub culture.