Botanical name:

Histiopteris incisa

Common name(s):

Histiopteris, water fern, mātātā, bat’s wing fern

About:

This is a sizeable creeping fern prevalent across New Zealand, thriving in a variety of habitats. The triangular fronds can reach lengths of 40 cm to 1.9 m and widths of up to 75 cm. They exhibit a vibrant blue-green color and feature intricately divided leaflets. The common name, water fern, is attributed to its moist, sappy characteristics and its frequent proximity to water. In gardens, it establishes easily and can spread quickly. It prefers light shade and damp soil and can be propagated through spores or division.

Natural habitat:

Coastal to subalpine. Usually in open sites. Histiopteris is typically a primary colonizer of disturbed ground such as in clearings caused by tree falls, or in forest that has been seriously damaged by browsing animals. It is often common in pine forest, on roadside cuttings, and sometimes may be found in urban areas.

Growing environment:

Frost, Shade, Salt, Wetland, Wind, Coastal, Free draining tolerant.

Endemic distribution:

Throughout New Zealand. Also eastern and south-eastern Australia and Tasmania, Lord Howe and Norfolk and throughout the tropics and southern temperate regions.

Height: 2m

Flowering: 

N/A Spore producing.

Fruiting: N/A

Uses:

Riparian plantings

How to grow:

Very easily grown from fresh spores and young plants. Inclined to be weedy. Does best in an open site planted in a deep, fertile, moist soil.