Trichomanes venosum
veined bristle-fern
Southeastern Australia and New Zealand
Overview
Trichomanes venosum is a small epiphytic filmy fern of cool, wet forests in southeastern Australia, including Tasmania, and New Zealand. Its fronds are translucent and only one cell thick over most of their surface, 1–4 inches (2.5–10 cm) long, oblong, and divided into shallow lobes, with dark, conspicuous veins that give the fern its common name. The fronds grow in rows along a slender, wiry, creeping rhizome that clings to its support. The plant most often grows on the trunks of tree ferns and on damp rocks and logs in deep shade. Because the thin fronds have little protection against drying, Trichomanes venosum depends on constantly humid, sheltered air and cannot survive exposure to sun, wind, or dry conditions. Reproduction is by spores produced in small tubular structures at the frond margins. It is found in rainforest, fern gullies, and shaded streamsides where humidity stays high through the year.
Native Range
Native to cool, wet forests of southeastern Australia, including Tasmania and Victoria, and New Zealand. It grows in rainforest, fern gullies, and shaded streamsides where humidity stays high.Suggested Uses
Trichomanes venosum is grown in terrariums, fern houses, and deeply shaded, humid rainforest and fern gardens in cool climates. It is also part of the natural epiphyte community on tree ferns and shaded rocks in wet forest.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1" - 4"
Width/Spread2" - 1'
Bloom Information
As a fern, Trichomanes venosum does not flower. It reproduces by spores formed in small tubular structures along the frond margins, chiefly through the warmer, moist months. Spores are released to grow into a new generation where humidity and shade allow.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
translucent greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Tolerates up to 1 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
Trichomanes venosum grows in deep shade in constantly humid, sheltered air, attached to tree-fern trunks, damp rocks, or rotting logs rather than in open soil. It needs steady high humidity and even moisture, and the thin fronds dry out and die quickly if exposed to sun, wind, or dry air. It is suited only to shaded, humid positions such as fern houses, terrariums, and sheltered rainforest gardens in cool climates. It grows slowly and spreads along its creeping rhizome where conditions stay damp. Drying and exposure are the main causes of failure.Pruning
No pruning is needed for this filmy fern. Damaged or dead fronds break down naturally and can be removed to keep the plant tidy. The creeping rhizome is left undisturbed, as it anchors the fern to its support.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 1 gallons