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Shoestring Fern (Vittaria lineata)

Shoestring Fern
Narrow fronds
Epiphytic habit
Duplicate

Overview

Shoestring Fern (Vittaria lineata) is an epiphytic fern with long, narrow, grass-like fronds that hang in cascades from tree branches. Its simple, strap-shaped fronds are unique among ferns.

Taxonomy

Family:	Vittariaceae
Genus:	Vittaria (vy-TAR-ee-a)
Species:	lineata (lin-ee-AY-tuh)
Synonym:	Pteris lineata

Description

Fronds are simple, linear, 30–100 cm long, only 3–5 mm wide, leathery, dark green. The rhizome is thin, creeping, covered with scales. Sori are linear along the frond margins, protected by the recurved leaf edge.

Habitat and Cultivation

Epiphytic on trees in humid tropical and subtropical forests. Mount on bark or hang in baskets with sphagnum. Requires high humidity, bright filtered light, and constant moisture.

Ferns: Silver Beardgrass (Andropogon saccharoides var. torreyanus): Silvery Plumes in Fall; Ming Fern (Asparagus macowanii): Feathery, Fern-Like Asparagus for Texture; Walking Fern (Asplenium rhizophyllum): Unique Fern That "Walks" Across Rocks; Upside-Down Fern (Arachniodes standishii): Fronds That Appear Inverted; Mother Fern (Asplenium viviparum): Fern That Grows Baby Plantlets on Its Fronds; Log Fern (Dryopteris celsa): Tall, Hybrid Wood Fern for Moist Shade; Microlepia platyphylla: Plate Fern; Woodwardia unigemmata: Chain Fern; Pyrrosia hastata: Felt Fern; Japanese Brake Fern (Pteris nipponica): Elegant Variegated Fern for Shade

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Plants

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Dixie Wood Fern (Dryopteris × australis): Robust Hybrid Fern for Southern Gardens

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Shoestring Fern (Vittaria lineata)

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