Doodia caudata
small rasp fern
Overview
Doodia caudata is a small, tufted, evergreen fern that forms clumps 4-12 inches (10-30 cm) high from a short, creeping rhizome. The narrow, once-divided fronds are 4-12 inches (10-30 cm) long, stiff and rough to the touch, which gives the rasp fern name, and taper to a long, narrow tip. New fronds emerge pink to coppery red before hardening to dull green. Sori, the spore-bearing structures, sit in rows on the undersides of the upper segments. It grows in shaded and partly shaded rocky places, banks, and gullies in eastern Australia and New Zealand, often on sandstone and in the lee of larger plants. The fern spreads slowly by its short rhizome to form small colonies rather than running widely. It tolerates dry spells once established but browns at the frond tips in hard frost or prolonged drought. Its small size and slow spread suit it to rockeries and pots rather than broad ground cover.
Native Range
Doodia caudata is native to eastern Australia, from Queensland to Tasmania, and also occurs in New Zealand. It grows in shaded rocky places, banks, and gullies, often on sandstone.Suggested Uses
Doodia caudata is grown in shaded rockeries, fern gardens, terraria, and pots, and in restoration of shaded rocky bushland in eastern Australia. Its small size and colourful new growth suit the front of shaded beds and container groupings.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height4" - 1'
Width/Spread6" - 1'
Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years
Bloom Information
As a fern, Doodia caudata does not flower; it reproduces by spores held in rows of sori on the frond undersides. Spores ripen mainly in the warmer months. New fronds flush pink to red through the growing season.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
green with reddish new growthGrowing 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
Doodia caudata grows in part to full shade on free-draining, humus-rich soils kept lightly moist, and it tolerates short dry spells once established. It suits rockeries, shaded banks, and pots, spreading slowly by a short rhizome. It withstands light frost in USDA zones 9-11, with frond tips browning in harder frost. Old or damaged fronds can be cut back to make way for new growth. It grows steadily in warm, sheltered, shaded conditions and slows in cold or exposed sites.Pruning
Cutting away old, browned, or damaged fronds at the base keeps the clump fresh and makes room for new growth. The fern reshoots from the rhizome after being cut back. No other pruning is needed.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
winter
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 1 gallons