© Leon Perrie, some rights reserved (CC-BY) · iNaturalist
Overview
Trichomanes spp. is a genus of filmy or bristle ferns in the family Hymenophyllaceae, found in humid forests through the tropics and into mild temperate regions. The fronds are membranous and often only one cell thick, lacking the waxy surface and pores of ordinary leaves, so they take up and lose water directly and depend on constant moisture in the surrounding air. Most plants are small, with creeping wiry rhizomes and translucent green fronds 1-12 inches (2.5-30 cm) long that range from simple straps to finely divided fans. The spore cases sit in tubular cups at the frond margins, each with a stiff bristle projecting from the centre, which gives the common name bristle fern. Plants grow on shaded rock, in gorges, behind waterfalls, and on tree trunks where humidity stays near saturation. Some colonies persist for long periods as the independent gametophyte stage alone. Because the fronds dry out and die within minutes of exposure to dry air, the genus cannot be grown in the open garden and is kept only in closed cases, terrariums, or constantly humid grottoes. Many species once placed here have been moved to related genera such as Crepidomanes spp. and Vandenboschia spp..
Native Range
Widespread in wet forests of the tropics and subtropics worldwide, with some species reaching cool-temperate regions; the Appalachian bristle fern, T. boschianum, grows in shaded sandstone gorges of the eastern United States.Suggested Uses
Grown by fern specialists in terrariums, wardian cases, and humid greenhouses, and seen in nature on shaded gorge walls and waterfalls. It is not suited to open-garden planting because of its need for saturated air.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1" - 1'
Width/Spread1" - 1'
Bloom Information
Ferns do not flower. Spores form in tubular marginal cups and are released in humid conditions, but many populations spread mainly by creeping rhizomes or persist as the gametophyte generation. New fronds appear through the year where moisture is constant.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
translucent greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Tolerates up to 2 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
Water & Climate
Water Needs
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
This is a fern of deep shade and near-constant humidity, growing on acidic rock or bark with a pH around 4.5 to 6.5 and never in full sun. The air must stay close to saturation, as the thin fronds wither within minutes if it dries, so plants are grown in closed terrariums, bottle gardens, or shaded, dripping grottoes rather than open beds. Cool to mild temperatures suit most species, and tropical kinds need frost-free warmth. Increase is by division of the rhizome or by spores sown on constantly moist surfaces. Stagnant air encourages rot, so gentle movement and clean water help.Pruning
Little pruning is done beyond removing dead or damaged fronds with care, as the rhizomes are brittle. Any trimming is carried out in humid conditions to keep the remaining fronds from drying.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 1 gallons