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Image Credit:Anna Povey – with permission
Scientific Name: Polyphlebium venosum
Common Name: bristle filmyfern
Family Classification (Clade): Pteridophytes
Family: Hymenophyllaceae
Form Description: Small epiphytic fern in dense masses, rootstock; creeping, thread-like; fronds,5-15cm long, dark green, 1-2 times pinnate, translucent.
Height (m): 0.05 – 0.15
Municipality
Plant Communities
Habitat Notes
Widespread and common from sea level to 600m. Typically epiphytic on live trunks of Dicksonia.
Site Tolerance
Moist, Rocky, Shady
General Notes
Easily grown if given constant high humidity and daily misting. Requires protection from drying winds, in a shady position. May also be cultured in a bottle, terrarium or aquarium.
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
Sori terminal, bell-shaped with protruding receptacle. 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
Easily grown on a piece of Dicksonia antarctica in a terrarium etc. as the spores have a special affinity with the root hairs of D. antarctica.
Cutting & Division Information
Propagate by division.