PTERIDACEAE

Tender brake

 

fronds 2.0m (200cm) 

None 

Spores 

Terrestrial fern, rhizome tufted, erect; rhachis brown and polished; fronds narrow upright, pale, fine and lacy. 

Break O'Day; Burnie; Central Coast; Derwent Valley; Dorset; Flinders Island; Glamorgan-Spring Bay; Hobart; Huon Valley; King Island; Kingborough; Launceston; Tasman; Waratah-Wynyard; West Coast; West Tamar 

Margins of fern gullies; Riparian - ephemeral creeks 

Uncommon across northern and eastern Tasmania to 300m in well-drained, fertile soils on the margins of fern gullies and along ephemeral creeks and drainage lines. Has quite a high light requirement. 

Exposed; Moist 

 

Fertile; Loam; Well-drained 

Fast growing in a wide variety of habitats.Easily raised from spores.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. Prick out sporelings when the second frond appears. Great care must be taken to avoid drying out. Plants from some areas are reputed to be short-lived. Suitable below powerlines. 

Spores borne on linear sori.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.