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Scientific Name
Asplenium flaccidum
Family Name
ASPLENIACEAE
Common Name
Weeping spleenwort
Status
Height
0.1m - 0.5m (10-50cm)
Flowers
None
Fruit
Spores
Form
Medium fern forming pendulous clumps, fronds weeping, 2-3 divided, leathery.
Municipalities
Break O'Day; Burnie; Central Highlands; Clarence; Derwent Valley; Dorset; Hobart; Huon Valley; Kingborough; Latrobe; Meander Valley; Northern Midlands; Tasman; Waratah-Wynyard; West Coast; West Tamar
Communities
Fern Gullies; Rainforest; Wet Eucalypt Forest
Habitat Notes
Uncommon in Tas. but locally abundant in rainforest in the north west and west and with scattered distribution in the north, east and south in rainforest, wet sclerophyll forest and fern gullies. Mostly occurs near sea level but known as high as 550m. Epiphytic on several tree species and occasionally on Dicksonia.
Site Tolerance
Moist; Shady
Frost Tolerance
Soil Tolerance
Fertile; Well-drained; Epiphytic on dicksonia and trees
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
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 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.
Cutting Notes
Not common in cultivation. Needs a coarse well drained mixture and responds to regular watering. Needs humid conditions and does best in a bush house or glasshouse.
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Andrew Smith