Botanical name:

Nephrolepis flexuosa

Common name(s):

Ladder fern

About:

Frequently confused with the naturalised and highly aggressive species N. cordifolia, from which it can be easily distinguished by its non-tuberous habit, N. flexuosa exhibits some notable differences. This particular species tends to have narrower and more gracile fronds that are typically drooping in appearance, creating a more delicate visual effect. In contrast, the fronds of N. cordifolia are wider, stouter, and invariably rigidly erect, giving it a more robust and sturdy look. These distinguishing traits can greatly assist in accurately identifying each species in their respective habitats.

Natural habitat:

Abundant in coastal forest and scrub on Raoul Island, otherwise in New Zealand confined to the North Island where it is only known from active geothermal fields from about Kawerau south to the Rotorua Lakes District to Lake Taupo, where it reaches a world southern limit at Tokaanu near Turangi.

Growing environment:

Sun, Shade, Wind & Coastal tolerant

Endemic distribution:

Known with certainty from New Zealand, Raoul, Norfolk and Lord Howe Islands, and also Fiji and Rarotonga. This species may also be in Samoa and Sri Lanka and it is probably wide ranging throughout the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It may also be in Australia.

Height: 65cm

Flowering: N/A Spore producing.

Fruiting: N/A

Uses:

Riparian plantings, Forests & Container friendly

How to grow:

Easy from division of whole plants, and also from fresh spores, which take about 6-8 months to fertilise and produce young plants.