DENNSTAEDTIACEAE

Lonely Ground-fern

 

0.2m - 0.8m (20-80cm) 

None 

Spores 

Slender fern, rootstock covered with reddish brown hairs, fronds; narrow-ovate, 2-3 times pnnate, bright green, soft. 

Central Coast; Central Highlands; Derwent Valley; Dorset; Glamorgan-Spring Bay; Glenorchy; Hobart; Huon Valley; Kingborough; Northern Midlands; West Coast; West Tamar 

Cool, moist gullies; Varied locations 

Uncommon, scattered locations across most of Tas. from near sea-level to at least 850m. The species favours cool, moist gullies where it often grows on rocks close to water, singly or in small colonies. Distinguished from H. rugosula by its more jaggedly dissected pinnae, hairier laminae and smaller, narrowly triangular fronds. 

Moist; Rocky; 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, rounded.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. 

 

No 

 

 

Yes 

An excellent fern for a cool, shady position. Forms small clumps but is not invasive. Grows best in loamy soils. Also a successful container plant, including hanging baskets.