Botanical name:

Arthropteris tenella

Common name(s):

Jointed fern

About:

A. tenella is a terrestrial and occasionally epiphytic fern with a long creeping or climbing rhizome. It features divided, shiny dark green fronds with jointed, stalked leaflets that taper at the ends. Found in coastal forests, it is native to the Three Kings Islands, the North Island, and extends down to Banks Peninsula on the South Island.

Natural habitat:

Coastal and lowland forest from 0 – 400m. Generally found scrambling over rocks and climbing up tree trunks.

Growing environment:

Shade, Coastal & Free draining tolerant.

Endemic distribution:

New Zealand’s Three Kings, North, South and Chatham Islands (Rekohu and Rangiauria). Seeming to reach its southern limit at Banks Peninsula. Also endemic to Australia, Lord Howe and Norfolk Islands.

Height:

Flowering: 

N/A Spore producing.

Fruiting:

N/A

Uses:

Riparian plantings & Forests

How to grow:

Easily grown provided it is planted in a frost-free situation. Prefers partial shade and a free draining soil. This fern does best when it has something to climb up.