Scientific Name: Hypolepis muelleri

Common Name: harsh groundfern

Family Classification (Clade): Pteridophytes

Family: Dennstaedtiaceae

Threatened Species Status: Rare

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

Form Description: Coarse fern, rootstock with reddish-brown hairs; fronds 50-130cm long, ovate to broadly ovate, 2-4 times pinnate, dark green, leathery, harsh.

Height (m): 0.5 – 1.3

Municipality
Break O’DayBurnieCentral CoastDorsetFlindersGeorge TownKentishKing IslandLauncestonMeander ValleyWaratah-Wynyard
Plant Communities
RiparianWet Eucalypt Forest
Habitat Notes

Occurs along watercourses, swampy areas or deep, rich, alluvial soils below 120 m elevation in northern Tasmania (including King and Flinders islands). Has also been recorded from forest dominated by Acacia melanoxylon, Melaleuca or Eucalyptus species. Appears similar to bracken fern.

Site Tolerance

Moist, Shady

Soil Tolerance

Fertile, Loam, Well-drained

Frost Tolerance

Moderate

General Notes

Adapts readily to cultivation but needs to be kept in check. Will tolerate exposure to sun if kept well-watered.

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

Sori – round, bearing scattered needle-like hairs. 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.

Cutting & Division Information

Can be propagated by division.