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Scientific Name
Gleichenia alpina
Family Name
GLEICHENIACEAE
Common Name
Alpine coral-fern
Status
Height
0.2m - 0.5m (20-50cm) long
Flowers
None
Fruit
Spores
Form
Fern forming extensive colonies, with numerous, intertwined fronds branched 1-3 times.
Municipalities
Break O'Day; Central Highlands; Derwent Valley; Dorset; Glenorchy; Hobart; Huon Valley; Kentish; Launceston; Meander Valley; Northern Midlands; Waratah-Wynyard; West Coast
Communities
Montane Vegetation; Sub-alpine
Habitat Notes
Common and widespread on exposed alpine plateaux and bogs.
Site Tolerance
Exposed; Moist; Waterlogged; Windy
Frost Tolerance
Hardy
Soil Tolerance
Poor; Poorly-drained; Well-drained
General Notes
Plants are tricky to grow and resent disturbance. they require plenty of water and an open sunny position.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. 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.
Propagation Details
Propagation Calendar
Flowering Months
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Seed Collecting Months
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Sowing Months
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Cutting Months
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Seed Information
Seed Collection
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
Seed Treatment Method
Standard
Seed Storage Life
Viable Seeds Per Gram
Seed Treatment 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.
Germination Time
Suitable for Direct Seeding
Cuttings
Expected Time to Take Root
Expected Time to Plant Out
Propagation by Division
N.B. Transplant only from nearby to avoid disease.
Cutting Notes
Copyright 2000-2009, Understorey Network Incorporated. Updated 2024-10-10
Database development and website design by
Andrew Smith