Hypolepis muelleri
harsh ground-fern
Overview
Hypolepis muelleri is a terrestrial fern in the family Dennstaedtiaceae that spreads by long, wiry, creeping rhizomes to form open colonies. The fronds rise singly from the rhizome and reach 24-59 inches (60-150 cm) tall, with a stiff, dark, often reddish-brown stipe and a rough-textured blade that gives the fern its common name. Blades are broadly triangular and two- to three-times divided, mid to dark green, carried on a hairy, sometimes prickly rachis. The lower surface bears small, rounded sori near the segment margins, partly protected by the reflexed leaf edge. New fronds unfurl pale green and harden as they mature. The fern grows in seasonally wet ground and tolerates short flooding, but fronds brown off in drought and are cut down by hard frost. In open, disturbed ground it can spread widely from the rhizome and form dense stands that crowd smaller plants. Established colonies regenerate from the rhizome after fire or frost, sending up fresh fronds in the following warm season.
Native Range
Hypolepis muelleri is native to eastern Australia, from Queensland through New South Wales to Victoria, with scattered occurrences in South Australia and Tasmania. It grows in swamp forest, wet gullies, creek banks, and other seasonally wet, sheltered sites.Suggested Uses
Used in damp, shaded native gardens, along pond and creek margins, and in fern gullies where its colonies fill ground over time. It suits naturalistic plantings and erosion control on moist, sheltered banks.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height2' - 4'11"
Width/Spread2' - 4'
Bloom Information
As a fern, Hypolepis muelleri produces no flowers. It reproduces by spores borne in rounded sori along the segment margins, released mainly through the warmer months from summer into autumn. Reproduction also occurs vegetatively as the rhizome creeps and forms new fronds.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
Mid to dark greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 2-5 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
Grow Hypolepis muelleri in part shade to filtered light in soil that remains moist to seasonally wet. It accepts a range of soils from sandy loam to clay loam with steady moisture and tolerates short periods of flooding. Water regularly so the root zone never dries out, since fronds brown and collapse under drought. Shelter from strong wind reduces damage to the soft new growth. In cold areas the fronds are knocked back by frost and the plant reshoots from the rhizome in spring. The spreading rhizome can be contained with a root barrier or by planting where lateral spread is acceptable.Pruning
Old or frost-damaged fronds can be removed at the base in late winter before new growth emerges. Frayed or wind-burnt fronds can be cut away through the year to keep the colony tidy. The rhizome can be trimmed at the edges to limit spread.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
winter
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 5 gallons