Botanical name:

Asplenium gracillimum

Common name(s):

Hen & chicken fern

About:

A. gracillimum is similar to A. bulbiferum but can be distinguished by its larger spores and fewer bulbils. The scales on A. bulbiferum are ovate, whereas in A. gracillimum, they are narrower and almost always extend into thin, thread-like points. While A. gracillimum occasionally produces small bulbils on top of its fronds, these can detach and develop into new ferns.

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 but also typical of colluvium and stream side banks. It is commonly sympatric with A. bulbiferum. A. gracillimum appears to have a higher altitudinal range than A. bulbiferum and is also more common in drier eastern forests than A. bulbiferum.

Growing environment:

Shade, Wetland & Coastal tolerant.

Endemic distribution:

New Zealand’s North, South, Stewart and Chatham Islands. Also found in Australia

Height: 1m

Flowering: N/A Spore producing.

Fruiting: N/A

Uses:

Riparian plantings forests & container friendly.

How to grow:

Easily grown from spore or division and popular in cultivation. Makes an excellent pot plant but as with all Asplenia prone to infestations of scale and mealy bugs.