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Scientific Name
Asplenium hookerianum
Family Name
ASPLENIACEAE
Common Name
Hooker's spleenwort
Status
Vulnerable
Height
0.05m - 0.2m (5-20cm)
Flowers
None
Fruit
Spores
Form
Small fern growing in clumps; fronds once or twice divided, pale green, thin stalks.
Municipalities
Circular Head; Glamorgan-Spring Bay; Meander Valley
Communities
Riparian
Habitat Notes
Very rare in Tas. known only from the Hellyer Gorge, Drys Bluff and near Orford on the east coast. Typically grows in heavily shaded side creeks or channels and amongst exposed riparian tree roots which fill only during heavy rain. Occasional on wet rock faces.
Site Tolerance
Moist; Rocky; Shady
Frost Tolerance
Soil Tolerance
Fertile; Well-drained; Wet rock faces
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
Resents disturbance, needs cool humid conditions. Eagerly attacked by slugs and snails. Best suited to pot or terrarium. Slow growing.
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Database development and website design by
Andrew Smith