Scientific Name: Blechnum chambersii
Common Name: lance waterfern
Family Classification (Clade): Pteridophytes
Family: Blechnaceae
Form Description: Fern which forms clumps of semi-erect or weeping fronds, dark green, thin textured; dimorphic, sterile fronds 15-55cm long.
Height (m): 0.15 – 0.55
Municipality
Plant Communities
Habitat Notes
Common and widespread in rainforest, wet sclerophyll forest and fern gullies from sea level to rarely more than 500m. The species likes dark, moist and sheltered sites and can hang in masses from waterfalls and other wet rock faces. It also occurs as a terrestrial species on creek and river banks or, Rarely, alluvial flats.
Site Tolerance
Moist, Rocky, Shady, Waterlogged
Soil Tolerance
Fertile, Loam, Poorly-drained, Well-drained
General Notes
Resents disturbance and is slow to establish.
Propagation Calendar
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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
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 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.
Germination Time
2-4 weeks
Cutting & Division Information
Ferns producing stolons such as Blechnum species can be propagated by removing offsets from the subterranean stolons. This method has a high success rate.