Scientific Name: Anogramma leptophylla

Common Name: annual fern

Family Classification (Clade): Pteridophytes

Family: Adiantaceae

Threatened Species Status: Vulnerable

Permit: It is an offence to collect, disturb, damage or destroy this species unless under permit.

Form Description: Tiny ferns growing in clumps; pale green fronds erect, delicate, thin-textured.

Height (m): 0.05 – 0.12

Municipality
Break O’DayDerwent ValleyGeorge TownGlenorchyHobartKentishLauncestonMeander ValleySouthern Midlands
Plant Communities
No data available for this species
Habitat Notes

Very Rare in Tasmania. Found growing in thin, mossy soil layer on rock ledges and under boulders. May co-exist with mosses, liverworts and small annual or perennial angiosperms.

Site Tolerance

Moist, Rocky

General Notes

Dies back during the dry season and shoots again with the onset of rain.

Propagation Calendar

  • Flowering Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
  • Seed Collecting Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
  • Sowing Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
  • Cutting Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Propagation Method
Impractical Propagation material is too difficult to collect or conditions for propagation or cultivation are too specialized.

Seed Information

Seed Collection

Collect spores when mature on the frond. Unripe sori are generally light green then change to yellowish-brown and to dark brown or black when mature. Place fronds, or portions of fronds, containing ripe spores in a paper bag and leave in a dry and draught-free place. Spores should begin to release immediately and all spores are released within days unless the species has tough, leathery fronds. Some species produce large quantities of spores from one frond, others require many fronds to produce similar quantities.

Seed Treatment Method

Standard Scatter seed thinly on to damp potting mix. Hold seed in place by covering with more potting mix to approximately the depth of the seed size.

Seed Treatment Notes

Use a moisture-retaining medium and a pot that allows drainage. Sterilise medium and container with boiling water. Sow spores by sprinkling a small amount onto the surface of the medium. Cover immediately with clean glass or plastic wrap. Leave in a warm area in strong, but not direct, sunlight. Specks of green appear after 2-4 weeks. These are the young prothalli. During the next 6-12 months they are at risk from overcrowding and pathogens. When the first fronds appear the sporelings can be slowly hardened by gradual removal of the container cover. Take care to avoid drying out. Prick out sporelings when the second frond appears.