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Scientific Name
Cystopteris tasmanica
Family Name
ATHYRIACEAE
Common Name
Brittle bladder-fern
Status
Height
0.05m - 0.3m (5-30cm)
Flowers
Fruit
Spores
Form
Fronds delicate, brittle, thin-textured, pale green, once-divided.
Municipalities
Break O'Day; Central Coast; Central Highlands; Derwent Valley; Huon Valley; Kentish; Northern Midlands; Waratah-Wynyard; West Coast
Communities
Montane Vegetation; Riparian
Habitat Notes
Uncommon highland species, usually occurs at about 1000m but also found on the Huon River near Scotts Peak. Confined to very sheltered rock ledges, crevices or boulder grottos, often close to running water. May also grow from the rubble at the base of rock form- ations usually on limestone , dolerite or basalt.
Site Tolerance
Moist; Rocky
Frost Tolerance
Soil Tolerance
Poor; Well-drained; Rubble and rock
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
Sori black. 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
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
No
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
* A tiny fern, very difficult to grow and resents disturbance. Needs cool, moist, humid conditions. Best grown in a bottle, aquarium or terrarium. (See notes on growing from spores)
Copyright 2000-2009, Understorey Network Incorporated. Updated 2024-11-08
Database development and website design by
Andrew Smith