Chatham Island Spleenwort

Botanical name: Asplenium chathamense
Common name(s): Chatham Island Spleenwort

Plant facts:
A striking glossy-fronded fern endemic to the Chatham Islands, valued for its erect finely divided foliage and ability to grow amongst exposed coastal rocks and forest margins. This species is naturally uncommon but locally abundant throughout the Chatham archipelago.

Natural habitat:
Occurs naturally on coastal cliffs, rocky outcrops, crevices, coastal scrub, creek margins, and open coastal forest.

Growing environment:
Semi-shade to filtered light, Moist free-draining soils, Coastal tolerant & Sheltered.
Thrives in humid conditions with reliable moisture and protection from prolonged drought.

Endemic distribution:
Endemic to the Chatham Islands.
Found on Rēkohu / Chatham Island, Pitt Island, Mangere Island, Rangatira / South East Island, The Forty Fours, Star Keys, and surrounding offshore islets and rock stacks.

Height:
Approximately 0.2–0.6 m tall

Width:
Approximately 0.3–0.8 m wide

Uses:

• Coastal and woodland fern gardens
• Native shade planting
• Chatham Islands restoration planting
• Rock wall and crevice planting
• Container and conservatory growing
• Moist subtropical landscaping

Appearance:

Growth habit:
An upright tufted evergreen fern arising from a short erect rhizome.

Fronds:
Glossy dark green fronds are bipinnate to tripinnate, stiff and erect with finely divided linear pinnules.

Stems and scales:
Stipes are pale brown near the base and green above, carrying scattered dark narrow scales.

Sori:
Elongated sori occur along the undersides of the pinnules with smooth-edged indusia.

Ecology:
An important component of Chatham Islands coastal vegetation, naturally occupying rock crevices and sheltered moist cliff habitats exposed to salt-laden winds.

Associated wildlife:
Provides sheltered humid microhabitats for native coastal invertebrates and contributes to fern-rich coastal ecosystems.

How to grow:
Best grown in moist rich free-draining soil in semi-shade or filtered light. Excellent for pots, sheltered courtyards, fern collections, and coastal woodland gardens. Avoid prolonged drying and harsh frost.

Propagation:
Easy from spores and division of rooted sections, though often relatively slow growing once established.

Garden value:
A highly attractive and unusual native fern prized for its glossy divided foliage and naturally coastal character. Particularly valuable for shaded rock gardens, pots, and humid subtropical-style plantings.