Scientific Name: Blechnum nudum

Common Name: fishbone waterfern

Family Classification (Clade): Pteridophytes

Family: Blechnaceae

Form Description: Fern with dark green fronds, commonly 40-60cm long but can be up to 120cm, erect spreading in rosette, segments linear, joined.

Height (m): 0.4 – 1.2

Municipality
Break O’DayBurnieCentral CoastCentral HighlandsCircular HeadDerwent ValleyDevonportDorsetFlindersGeorge TownGlamorgan-Spring BayGlenorchyHobartHuon ValleyKentishKing IslandKingboroughLatrobeLauncestonMeander ValleySorellTasmanWaratah-WynyardWest CoastWest Tamar
Plant Communities
GrasslandRainforestRiparianWet Eucalypt Forest
Habitat Notes

Abundant and widespread in moist soils in a range of vegetation types from sea level to over 1000m. Seems to be absent only from the Midlands. Frequent coloniser of disturbed areas. Grows in large colonies in semi-shade or shade. Tolerates boggy soils.

Site Tolerance

Moist, Shady

Soil Tolerance

Clay, Fertile, Loam, Nutrient-poor, Poorly-drained, Sandy, Well-drained

Frost Tolerance

Hardy

General Notes

Very hardy; clump forming; suitable for growing in large container. Bird attracting. Frog habitat.

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
Specialist 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. Fertile segments on separate frond.

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.

Germination Time

2-4 weeks

Cutting & Division Information

Ferns producing stolons such as Blechnum species can be propagated by removing offsets from the rootstock. This method has a high success rate.