DENNSTAEDTIACEAE

Harsh ground-fern

Rare 

0.5m - 2.5m (50-250cm) long 

None 

Spores 

Coarse fern, rootstock with reddish-brown hairs; fronds ovate to broadly ovate, 2-4 times pinnate, dark green, leathery, harsh. 

Break O'Day; Burnie; Central Coast; Dorset; Flinders Island; Georgetown; Huon Valley; Kentish; King Island; Launceston; Meander Valley; Waratah-Wynyard 

Riparian 

Uncommon in most of Tas. but locally abundant at several places in the north east. almost exclusively found on deep, rich, alluvial soils below 120m. in undisturbed sites below a light canopy of Acacia melanoxylon or Eucalyptus species. Appears similar to bracken fern. 

Moist; Shady 

Moderate 

Fertile; Loam; Well-drained; Alluvial 

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, round, bearing scattered needle-like hairs.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. 

 

 

 

 

Yes 

Also propagated by division. Adapts readily to cultivation but needs to be kept in check. Will tolerate exposure to sun if kept well-watered. Tolerates moderately heavy frosts.