Garden Bling: Adding Epiphytic Plants to Your Landscape
Indoor Ferns Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service, South Carolina
Adiantum
These are the maidenhair ferns. In addition to the familiar delicate maidenhair, there are tougher Australian native species available
Dainty Maidenhair Adiantum capillus-veneris Department of Sustainability and Environment, Victoria (PDF)
Venus-hair fern Adiantum capillus-veneris. Department of Natural Resources, Environment and the Arts, Northern Territory (PDF)
Adiantum capillus-veneris L Common Maidenhair, Southern Maidenhair, Venus Maidenhair Fern Online Manual of Subtropical Landscaping Plants, Palm Beach Community College, Florida
Adiantum formosum Black stem or giant maidenhair fern Brisbane Rainforest Action & Information Network
Adiantum formosum (Giant Maiden Hair Fern) Sassafras rainforest regeneration project, NSW
Rough Maidenhair Fern (
Adiantum hispidulum) At "Grow Me Instead" (an Australian website informing gardeners about safer alternatives to invasive ornamentals)
Adiantum hispidulum
Doodia
Rasp Fern (
Doodia aspera) At "Grow Me Instead" (an Australian website informing gardeners about safer alternatives to invasive ornamentals)
Doodia aspera (Prickly rasp fern) Brisbane Rainforest Action & Information Network
Doodia australis (Common rasp fern) Brisbane Rainforest Action & Information Network
Doodia caudata (Small rasp fern) Brisbane Rainforest Action & Information Network
Nephrolepis
Others
Gristle Fern (
Blechnum cartilagineum) At "Grow Me Instead" (an Australian website informing gardeners about safer alternatives to invasive ornamentals)
Calochlaena dubia (Rainbow Fern, False Bracken) Sassafras rainforest regeneration project, NSW
Fragrant Fern (
Microsorum scandens) Flora of Lamington National Park, Qld
Banded Nardoo (
Marsilea mutica) At "Grow Me Instead" (an Australian website informing gardeners about safer alternatives to invasive ornamentals)
Marsilea drummondii (PDF) at the Australian Weeds and Livestock website, NSW (discusses toxicity of weeds and other plants to animals)
Weedy ferns
Fishbone Fern (
Nephrolepis cordifolia) At the "Grow Me Instead" website (an Australian website informing gardeners about environmental weeds)
Common Bracken (
Pteridium esculentum). Save Our Waterways Now, Brisbane
Pteridium esculentum (PDF) at the Australian Weeds and Livestock website, NSW (discusses toxicity of weeds and other plants to animals)
Cheilanthes spp (PDF) at the Australian Weeds and Livestock website, NSW (discusses toxicity of weeds and other plants to animals)
Propagation
Older News
Ferns fight formaldehyde
It has been known for some years that indoor plants can combat the effects of inddor air pollution. Scientists from Korea and USA have tested the ability of 86 diverse species of plants to remove volatile formaldehyde (which can be emitted from modern furnishings and other sources). They found that, as a class, the ferns were the most efficient, with
Osmunda japonica (Japanese royal fern) coming in first amongst all 86 tested. Media release, including link to the original American Society for Horticultural Science article, here:
Study of phytoremediation benefits of 86 indoor plants published (
June 2011)
When ferns collide
Anogramma ascensionis is a tiny fern with leaves that resemble parsley found only on Ascension Island in the South Atlantic. Not seen since 1958, it was declared extinct in 2003, but a few plants have since been discovered. They have since been propagated and it is hoped that it might be reintroduced more extensively in its natural habitat. The flora of Ascension Island have been devestated from centuries of exotic plant and animal introductions. It is thought that in the case of the parsley fern, competition for rock ledges from introduced maidenhair ferns probably contributed to its decline. For more information, visit
Ascension Island's 'extinct' parsley fern makes a dramatic reappearance during International Year of Biodiversity (
June 2010)