Drooping Spleenwort

Botanical name: Asplenium flaccidum
Common name(s): Drooping Spleenwort, Hanging Spleenwort, Weeping Spleenwort, Makawe
Synonyms: Darea odontites, Asplenium bulbiferum var. flaccidum, Asplenium marinum var. flaccida, Caenopteris novae-zeelandiae, Caenopteris odontites, Darea flaccida, Asplenium heterophyllum, Asplenium odontites, Caenopteris flaccida

Plant facts:
A graceful pendulous fern commonly growing as an epiphyte on native trees throughout New Zealand forests. Valued for its long arching leathery fronds and adaptability, this species is widely used in hanging baskets, shaded gardens, and native fern collections.

Natural habitat:
Occurs naturally in coastal to montane forest, scrub, rocky ground, and boulder fields, most commonly growing epiphytically on native trees.

Growing environment:
Semi-shade to filtered light, Free-draining soils, Humid & Sheltered.
Thrives in moist airy environments with reliable humidity and protection from harsh drying sun.

Indigenous distribution:
Indigenous to New Zealand, Australia, and the wider Pacific.
In New Zealand found throughout the Kermadec Islands, Three Kings Islands, North Island, South Island, Stewart Island/Rakiura, Chatham Islands, and Snares Islands.

Height:
Approximately 0.2–1 m long fronds

Width:
Approximately 0.3–1 m wide depending on growing conditions

Uses:

• Hanging baskets
• Epiphytic fern displays
• Shaded woodland gardens
• Native forest restoration
• Indoor and conservatory planting
• Rock wall and tree fern planting

Appearance:

Growth habit:
A mostly epiphytic evergreen fern with long pendulous fronds arising from a short stout rhizome.

Fronds:
Fronds are leathery, limp, dull green, and highly variable, ranging from simply pinnate to finely divided bipinnate forms.

Stems and scales:
Stipes are slender and flexible with scattered narrow dark scales tipped by long thread-like extensions.

Leaflets:
Pinnae are narrow, stalked, and often deeply divided into variable pinnules with an elegant drooping appearance.

Sori:
Linear sori occur near the margins on the undersides of the fronds.

Ecology:
An important epiphytic forest fern contributing to humid canopy and understory ecosystems from coastal forests to the treeline.

Associated wildlife:
Provides shelter and humid habitat for native forest invertebrates and contributes to epiphytic fern communities on mature trees.

How to grow:
Easy to cultivate in semi-shaded sheltered positions with fertile free-draining soil or mounted epiphytically on logs and tree fern slabs. Requires good humidity and protection from prolonged drought.

Propagation:
Easy from spores or division of established plants.

Garden value:
A highly ornamental native fern valued for its cascading fronds and natural forest character. Particularly effective in hanging baskets, vertical gardens, epiphytic displays, and shaded subtropical-style plantings.