Botanical name:

Zealandia pustulata (Microsorium pustulatus)

Common name(s):

Hound’s tongue, kowaowao, paraharaha

About:

A superb ground-cover fern, known for its exceptional qualities, features striking smooth green fronds that lend a distinctive tropical appearance to gardens. Its creeping rhizome is capable of spreading and growing over various surfaces, making it a versatile addition to any landscape. This fern is remarkably adaptable and can thrive in dry shade conditions once it is well established.

Natural habitat:

A common fern of coastal to montane area, growing either on the ground, over rocks or on tree trunks and branches. Although widespread and often found growing admixed with Dendroconche scandens, Zealandia pustulata is more drought tolerant and seems to prefer more open, drier habitats.

Growing environment:

Drought, Shade, Wetland, Wind & Free draining soil tolerant.

Endemic distribution:

New Zealand: Kermadec Islands (Raoul, Meyers only), Three Kings, North, South, Stewart, Chatham, Auckland and Antipodes Islands. Also Australia. Abundant throughout main islands of New Zealand except for Central Otago.

Height: 30cm

Flowering: N/A Spore producing.

Fruiting: N/A

Uses:

Riparian plantings, Forests, Pioneer Plantings & container friendly.

How to grow:

Easily grown from rooted pieces of rhizome. Excellent in a hanging basket, large pot, or trained to grow over rocks, and logs. Zealandia pustulata can be easily established on the branches of suitable trees and can make a fine specimen for the average garden. Once established it rarely requires much attention and has the added bonus of being remarkable drought tolerant, disease and pest free.