Botanical name:

Blechnum parrisiae – (Doodia australis/media)

Common name(s):

Rasp fern

About:s

Rasp ferns produce vibrant pink new fronds that transition to light green and ultimately to dark green. The striking contrast among these three shades creates an appealing variety that establishes a spreading colony. This fern is resilient and can thrive in various environments, including indoor settings and rockeries. It flourishes best in light shade with consistently moist soil.

Natural habitat:

Coastal to lowland in open or forested sites, within light scrub, in rough pasture, and even known as a weedy fern of urban gardens and environments.

Growing environment:

Sun, Drought, Coastal & Clay tolerant.

Endemic distribution:

Kermadec Islands (Raoul and Macauley Islands). New Zealand: Three Kings, North and South Islands from Te Paki south to Wellington, the Marlborough Sounds, north-west Nelson and Banks Peninsula. Abundant north of the Waikato, otherwise scarce. Present in Australia, Norfolk and Lord Howe Islands.

Height: 30cm

Flowering: N/A spore producing

Fruiting: N/A

Uses:

Riparian plantings, Forests & Container friendly.

How to grow:

Extremely easily grown from fresh spore (it often self sows around the garden, and in some sites self-establishes through wind blown spores). Reasonably frost-tolerant, and does best in full sun, especially on poorly drained clay soils