Botanical name:

Asplenium bulbiferum

Common name(s):

Hen and chicken fern, pikopiko, mother spleenwort

About:

A graceful, clump-forming, and fast-growing fern that reaches up to 1m in height and width. Its deep green fronds arch elegantly, bearing small bulbs at their tips. As these bulbs grow to approximately 5cm, they weigh the fronds down, eventually detaching and sprouting new ferns upon touching the ground.

Natural habitat:

Coastal to subalpine. Usually in lowland forest where it is a common species of the ground-layer, especially in high rainfall areas. Commonly associated with riparian forest, and as a species of base-rich substrates. Frequently sympatric and so commonly forming hybrids with other Asplenia.

Growing environment:

Shade, Salt, Wetland & Coastal tolerant.

Endemic distribution:

North, South, Stewart and Chatham Islands of NZ.

Height: 1m

Flowering: N/A Spore producing.

Fruiting: N/A

Uses:

Bird food / Attractant, riparian plantings & container friendly.

How to grow:

Easily grown from spore or division. Prefers shady sites with damp or wet soils, with lots of organic matter.