Pellaea falcata
sickle fern
eastern Australia, New Zealand, and Asia
Overview
Pellaea falcata is an evergreen fern with arching pinnate fronds 8-24 inches (20-60 cm) long rising from a creeping rhizome. Each frond carries 15-40 pairs of leathery, sickle-shaped leaflets (pinnae) 0.6-1.2 inches (1.5-3 cm) long, dark green above and dull beneath, on a dark, scaly stalk. New fronds are covered in brown scales as they unfurl. Spore-bearing bands (sori) form along the rolled margins on the undersides of fertile leaflets. The creeping rhizome spreads slowly to form a low colony. It grows in sheltered, moist but well-drained sites among rocks and in rainforest. The fronds brown and scorch in direct sun and dry wind.
Native Range
Native to eastern Australia from Queensland to Victoria and Tasmania, and also to New Zealand and parts of Asia. It grows in rainforest, sheltered gullies, and among shaded rocks in moist, well-drained ground.Suggested Uses
Grown in shaded gardens, fern gardens, rockeries, and containers at 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) spacing. The leathery fronds suit sheltered courtyards and the bases of walls. It is not suited to hot, exposed, or dry positions.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height8" - 2'
Width/Spread1' - 2'
Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years
Bloom Information
As a fern it produces spores rather than flowers. Spore bands ripen along the leaflet margins through summer and autumn. New fronds unfurl mainly in spring and summer.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
dark 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
It grows in part to full shade in moist, well-drained soils rich in organic matter with a pH of 5.5-6.5. Water to keep the soil evenly moist; the fern tolerates short dry spells but fronds brown in prolonged drought. It tolerates light frost in sheltered positions. Direct sun and dry wind scorch the fronds. Few pests or diseases affect it.Pruning
Remove old, browned, or damaged fronds at the base in late winter before new growth. The fern reshoots from the rhizome each season. 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: 2 gallons