Botanical name:

Austroblechnum lanceolatum - (Blechnum chambersii)

Common name(s):

Lance fern, nini, rereti

About:

A small, compact ground fern that grows slowly, it typically resides in deeply shaded banks, particularly alongside streams. This fern is commonly found in the damp regions of New Zealand's forests. It features a stout, upright rhizome that may occasionally form a trunk. The fronds are deep green, lance-shaped, measuring between 15 to 50cm in length and 4 to 6cm in width. These fronds are coarsely dissected and can display 15 to 40 alternate pinnae. The plant develops both sterile and fertile fronds, with the latter usually being shorter in stature.

Natural habitat:

Coastal to montane. Usually inhabiting forested areas where it commony grows along shaded river and streams sides, or within the spray zone of waterfalls; or forms a dominant part of the ground cover in riparian forest. It also very common in coastal and lowland forest on shaded cliff faces. It becomes especially luxuriant in limestone country where it is often a conspicuous fern of cave entrances and overhangs.

Growing environment:

Frost, Shade & Wetland tolerant.

Endemic distribution:

New Zealand: North, South, Stewart and Chatham Islands. Also Australia and some Pacific Islands

Height: 15-55cm

Flowering: N/A spore producing.

Fruiting: N/A

Uses:

Riparian plantings & Forests.

How to grow:

Easily grown from fresh spores. Prefers a deep, moist soil in shaded conditions. Responds well to regular applications of lime.