Botanical name:

Hymenophyllum rarum

Common name(s):

Filmy Fern, Narrow Filmy Fern

Plant facts:

A delicate, thin-leaved native fern that forms extensive, creeping patches. Despite its fragile appearance, it is surprisingly hardy and can tolerate exposed conditions. Often grows as both a ground fern and an epiphyte on trees and tree ferns.

Natural habitat:

Common in forests, scrub, shaded cliff faces, boulder fields, and damp gullies. Found from coastal to montane environments.

Growing environment:

Shade, Moist, Wind & Free draining tolerant.

Endemic distribution:

Widespread throughout New Zealand (North, South, Stewart, Chatham, and Auckland Islands). Also found in Australia.

Height:

Fronds typically 20–120 mm long

Fruiting (spores):

Produces spores in small structures (sori) located at the tips of the finest leaf segments.

Uses:

• Suitable for shaded native plantings
• Ideal for fern collections and terrariums
• Adds fine texture to forest gardens

Appearance:

Growth habit:
Forms dense, interwoven mats from long, creeping, thread-like rhizomes. Can grow on the ground, rocks, or as an epiphyte on trees.

Fronds (leaves):
Very thin, soft, and membranous, pale grey-green in colour. Fronds are finely divided (typically twice-divided), giving a delicate, lace-like appearance.

Structure:
Fronds are narrow and elongated, with smooth-edged segments. Stems are slender and wiry when fresh, becoming brittle when dry.

Reproductive structures:
Sori are small and embedded within the leaf tissue near the tips of the upper segments, covered by protective flaps.

How to grow:

Difficult to cultivate and best suited to consistently moist, shaded environments. Should not be removed from the wild. Thrives in high humidity conditions such as sheltered gardens or controlled environments.