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Image Credit:Anna Povey – with permission
Scientific Name: Polystichum proliferum
Common Name: mother shieldfern
Family Classification (Clade): Pteridophytes
Family: Dryopteridaceae
Form Description: Rootstock forms a short trunk with age; fronds, 30-150cm long, bi-pinnate, oblong in outline, often with bulbil near apex. Spreads to tussock.
Height (m): 0.3 – 1.5
Municipality
Plant Communities
Habitat Notes
Widespread and abundant from sea level to at least 1300m in a wide range of habitats. Will tolerate salt laden winds in coastal situations.
Site Tolerance
Moist, Shady
Soil Tolerance
Clay, Fertile, Loam, Nutrient-poor, Well-drained
Frost Tolerance
Hardy
General Notes
Very hardy; clump forming; suitable for growing in large container. Will tolerate moderate exposure to sun and dry periods once established. Excellent for planting under established trees.
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 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 plantlets formed on the frond tips. Best to bend the mature frond so that the bulbil makes contact with the soil and peg it down or alternatively detach bulbil from parent plant carefully, removing a little of the frond too. Very easily grown.