Asplenium flabellifolium
necklace fern
Australia, New Zealand, and Norfolk Island
Overview
Asplenium flabellifolium is a small, creeping fern with trailing fronds 2-12 inches (5-30 cm) long arising from a short rhizome. Each frond is once-divided into 4-20 fan-shaped to wedge-shaped pinnae (leaflets) about 0.2-0.4 inch (5-10 mm) wide, with toothed outer edges, spaced along a slender green rachis (axis). The rachis often extends beyond the last pinna into a thin, leafless thread that arches to the ground and forms a new plantlet where its tip roots, producing chains of connected plants. Fronds are thin-textured and mid to bright green, with elongated brown sori (spore clusters) on the undersides of the pinnae. The fern grows in sheltered, moist crevices among rocks, on shaded banks, and at the bases of cliffs, often forming spreading colonies. In dry spells the fronds shrivel and the plant persists through its rhizome and rooted plantlets, reshooting after rain. Growth is moderate, the trailing fronds extending the colony outward season by season.
Native Range
Asplenium flabellifolium is native to Australia, New Zealand, and Norfolk Island, occurring in all Australian states. It grows in shaded, moist sites such as rock crevices, sheltered gullies, and the bases of cliffs and boulders, on a range of substrates from sea level to montane elevations.Suggested Uses
Asplenium flabellifolium is grown in shaded rockeries, fern gardens, terrariums, and hanging baskets where its trailing, self-rooting fronds form chains, spaced 6-10 inches (15-25 cm) apart. It also grows on moist rock walls and between pavers in shade. The fronds shrivel in dry air, which limits its use in exposed or low-humidity positions.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height2" - 6"
Width/Spread8" - 1'4"
Bloom Information
As a fern, Asplenium flabellifolium does not flower. It reproduces by spores carried in elongated sori on the frond undersides, ripening mainly in spring and summer, and also spreads when the frond tips root and form plantlets. Spore release occurs in dry conditions.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Tolerates up to 4 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Asplenium flabellifolium grows in part to full shade in moist, humus-rich soil with free drainage and steady humidity. Consistent moisture keeps the fronds turgid, and the plant survives short dry spells by dying back to the rhizome and rooted plantlets. In cultivation it suits shaded rockeries, terrariums, and hanging containers where the trailing fronds can root into the surrounding media. It tolerates light frost in sheltered positions but not prolonged freezing. Few pests trouble it, though slugs graze new fronds. Colonies are thinned by lifting rooted plantlets in spring.Pruning
Dead or shrivelled fronds are removed at the base in late winter to make way for new growth. Rooted plantlets at the frond tips are detached and replanted to control the colony spread or to propagate it. No structural pruning is needed.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 1 gallons