CYATHEACEAE

Slender tree-fern

Rare 

0.1m - 0.2m (10-20cm) 

 

Spores 

Trunk tall and slender, to 12cm diameter. Fibrous at base, woody above. 

Break O'Day; Burnie; Dorset; Huon Valley; King Island; Kingborough; Tasman; Waratah-Wynyard; West Coast 

Rainforest; Coastal fern gullies 

Rare species with only scattered populations in Tas. occurring at creek level in sheltered coastal fern gullies below 150m and rarely in rainforest. 

Moist; Shady 

 

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.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. 

Sori covered by indusia.spores are collected when mature on the frond. unripe sori are generally 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.* 

 

 

 

 

 

* Very particular in its requirements. Needs complete protection from hot sun and wind with abundant water through summer months. Young sporelings are susceptile to damping off and are difficult to establish. This species is suitable for tub culture.