Scientific Name: Pellaea falcata
Common Name: sickle fern
Family Classification (Clade): Pteridophytes
Family: Adiantaceae
Form Description: Terrestrial fern in clumps, fronds, 20-75cm long, erect or arching, pinnae falcate, dark green above, paler below, margins entire or short-toothed.
Height (m): 0.2 – 0.75
Municipality
Plant Communities
Habitat Notes
Locally common in the north and east of Tasmania. Occurs on margins of wet sclerophyll forest and in fern gullies, particularly on their higher slopes. Usually occurs below 300m.
Site Tolerance
Moist, Shady
Soil Tolerance
Fertile, Nutrient-poor, Well-drained
General Notes
Mossy soil over rock. Very hardy; suits hanging baskets if watered regularly.
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
Spores found in sori which are elongated, protected when young by the reflexed margin of the pinnae. 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
May be propagated by division of clumps.