Scientific Name: Pteris epaleata
Common Name: netted brake
Family Classification (Clade): Pteridophytes
Family: Pteridaceae
Form Description: Terrestrial fern, rhizome tufted, erect; rhachis yellowish; fronds dark-green with netted interconnected veins of pinnules.
Municipality
Plant Communities
Habitat Notes
Common in north-west Tasmania, rare elsewhere. Grows in wet and often boggy soils in rainforest, wet sclerophyll forest and fern gullies. Occurs in very sheltered lowland sites besides small watercourses or within drainage lines. Has also been observed in wooded bogs amidst coastal sand dunes.
Site Tolerance
Moist, Shady, Waterlogged
Soil Tolerance
Fertile, Loam, Nutrient-poor, Poorly-drained, Sandy, Well-drained
General Notes
Resents disturbance. Best grown in a pot standing in water.
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 borne on linear sori. Easily raised from spores. 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.