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Scientific Name
Hypolepis distans
Family Name
DENNSTAEDTIACEAE
Common Name
Wiry ground-fern
Status
Vulnerable
Height
0.2m - 0.45m (20-45cm)
Flowers
None
Fruit
Spores
Form
Slender fern, rootstock; long-creeping c. dark brown hairs, fronds; narrow- ovate 2-3 times pinnate, dark green, harsh to touch.
Municipalities
Burnie; King Island
Communities
Sedgeland and Wetland; Swampland; Tea-tree or melaleuca scrub
Habitat Notes
Very rare in Tas. Found on King Island and recently idenitified at two sites in the north west of mainland Tas. Occurs in moist,badly drained soils or on rotting logs in tea-tree & Melaleuca scrub or on margins of swampland. Tolerates light to moderate frosts. Recognise by bipinnate fronds c. well-spaced pinnules.
Site Tolerance
Moist; Waterlogged
Frost Tolerance
Moderate
Soil Tolerance
Poor; Poorly-drained; Rotting logs
General Notes
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.
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
Sori, ovate.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
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.
Yes
Cutting Notes
Propagate by division. Grows readily in a shady position and is not invasive. Grows best in loamy soil or where they can grow onto a rotting tree fern log. also a successful container plant.
Copyright 2000-2009, Understorey Network Incorporated. Updated 2024-09-01
Database development and website design by
Andrew Smith