Scientific Name: Tmesipteris obliqua

Common Name: common forkfern

Family Classification (Clade): Pteridophytes

Family: Psilotaceae

Form Description: Fern ally with thick fleshy rhizome usually buried deeply in host; stems angular bearing simple ovate leaf-like appendages.

Municipality
Break O’DayBurnieCentral CoastCentral HighlandsCircular HeadDerwent ValleyDorsetFlindersGlamorgan-Spring BayHuon ValleyKentishKingboroughLatrobeLauncestonMeander ValleyNorthern MidlandsTasmanWaratah-WynyardWest CoastWest Tamar
Plant Communities
RainforestWet Eucalypt Forest
Habitat Notes

Widespread and common from sea level to 600m in rainforest, wet sclerophyll forest and fern gullies. Sometimes on mossy logs, rock or soil amongst exposed roots. Epiphytic on dicksonia (Rarely cyathea).

Site Tolerance

Moist, Rocky, Shady

General Notes

They have been successfully grown in inflated plastic bags with rhizomes covered by moist sphagnum moss. Rhizomes are very brittle and resent disturbance. Do best when grown on sections of tree-fern and require plenty of water, shade and humidity.

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

Sporangia in joined pairs borne on specialised forked bracts.