Oceaniopteris cartilaginea
hammock fern
Overview
Oceaniopteris cartilaginea, the gristle fern, is an evergreen terrestrial fern that forms clumps of erect fronds 0.5-1.5 m (1.6-5 ft) tall from a short, sometimes trunk-forming rhizome. The fronds are once-divided, with firm, cartilage-like pinnae that have finely toothed margins, the source of the common name. New fronds emerge pink to bronze and harden to deep green as they mature. The rhizome creeps and branches, so established plants spread into colonies 0.6-1.2 m (2-4 ft) wide. It grows in moist eucalypt forest, rainforest margins, and shaded gullies, and tolerates drier conditions once the roots are established. Spores are produced in narrow lines along the undersides of the fertile pinnae during the warmer months. The fern withstands light frost but is damaged by hard freezes, and fronds can scorch in full sun or dry wind. Growth is slow in deep shade and faster in bright filtered light with steady moisture.
Native Range
Native to eastern Australia, from Queensland through New South Wales to Victoria, growing in moist eucalypt forest, rainforest edges, and shaded gullies. It ranges from coastal lowlands into the foothills.Suggested Uses
Grown as an understorey fern in shaded native and woodland gardens, along watercourses, and in fern gullies. Used in large containers and shaded courtyards. Suited to mass planting as groundcover under trees.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1'8" - 4'11"
Width/Spread2' - 3'11"
Bloom Information
Ferns do not flower. Oceaniopteris cartilaginea reproduces by spores borne in narrow lines along the undersides of the fertile pinnae, ripening through the warmer months. New fronds flush pink to bronze in spring before maturing to green.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
deep green, pink to bronze when youngGrowing 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
Grows in partial to full shade in moist, humus-rich, free-draining soil. Steady moisture suits it during establishment, after which it tolerates short dry spells. Acidic soils enriched with leaf litter or compost give the steadiest growth. Light frost is tolerated, but hard frost and hot dry wind scorch the fronds. It can be grown in a large container of free-draining potting mix kept in shade. Old or damaged fronds can be removed at the base to keep the clump tidy.Pruning
No regular pruning is needed. Old, browned, or frost-damaged fronds can be cut off at the base in spring before new growth unfurls. Removing spent fronds keeps the clump open and tidy.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 3 gallons