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Scientific Name
Adiantum aethiopicum
Family Name
ADIANTACEAE
Common Name
Common Maidenhair
Status
Vulnerable
Height
0.4m (40cm)
Flowers
None
Fruit
Spores
Form
Small fern, with creeping underground rhizomes, fronds prostrate or erect
Municipalities
Break O'Day; Burnie; Central Highlands; Clarence; Derwent Valley; Devonport; Dorset; Flinders Island; Georgetown; Glamorgan-Spring Bay; Glenorchy; Hobart; Kentish; King Island; Kingborough; Latrobe; Launceston; Meander Valley; Northern Midlands; Sorell; Southern Midlands; Tasman; West Tamar
Communities
Rainforest; Riparian; Wet Eucalypt Forest; Coastal
Habitat Notes
Widespread along stream b anks and rocky areas in a variety of situations but usually in sunny, moist sites. Also tolerates salt-laden winds in coastal situations.
Site Tolerance
Exposed; Moist; Rocky
Frost Tolerance
Soil Tolerance
Clay; Fertile; Loam; Poorly-drained; Well-drained
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.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
Spores are collected when mature on the frond. unripe sori aregenerally 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 by sprinkling 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
Propagation is by division of the rhizomes or from spores. Cut new growth sections of the rhizome with one or two new fronds from the plant and pot into soil mix. It may take 2-6 months for the new growth to become well-established. May withstand sunny, dry conditions if planted amongst rocks when soil moisture and drainage requirements are met.
Copyright 2000-2009, Understorey Network Incorporated. Updated 2024-10-14
Database development and website design by
Andrew Smith