Botanical name:

Pteris macilenta

Common name(s):

Sweet fern

About:

An attractive and visually appealing tufted fern, with its fronds growing to lengths of approximately 45cm to 1.5m, showcases fine, lacy structures that are a delicate pale green in colour. This fern species is endemic to our region, meaning it is naturally found only here, and it is quite common throughout the North Island and in the upper northwestern areas of the South Island. Preferring to thrive in open forests, it flourishes under conditions of light shade and consistently damp environments, making it a wonderful addition to suitable landscapes.

Natural habitat:

Coastal to montane (in northern areas). Usually in dry, less heavily vegetated sites in forest but also on cliff faces and banks in light scrub. Especially common overlying calcareous or other base-rich rocks.

Growing environment:

Shade, Wind, Coastal, Free draining tolerant.

Endemic distribution:

New Zealand’s North, South and Chatham Islands. Widespread in the North Island (except for the central volcanic plateau and adjacent main axial ranges), common in the northern part of the South Island reaching a western southern limit near Greymouth and in the east on Banks Peninsula where it may have been planted

Height: 50cm

Flowering: N/A Spore producing.

Fruiting: N/A

Uses:

Riparian plantings, Forests & Coastal Plantings.

How to grow:

Easily grown from fresh spores and young plants transplant readily. Prefers semi-shade in garden settings, planted into a moist, rich free draining soil. Can be cold sensitive