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Sickle Spleenwort (Asplenium polyodon)

Sickle Spleenwort

Overview

Sickle Spleenwort (Asplenium polyodon) is a New Zealand epiphytic fern with long, sickle-shaped pinnae that give the frond a distinctive curved appearance.

Taxonomy

Family:	Aspleniaceae
Genus:	Asplenium (ass-PLEE-nee-um)
Species:	polyodon
Synonym:	Asplenium falcatum

Description

Fronds are 30–60 cm long, pinnate, with long, narrow, falcate (sickle-shaped) pinnae. The fronds are leathery, dark green. Sori are linear along the veins. Epiphytic habit.

Habitat and Cultivation

Epiphytic on tree trunks in damp forests. Mount on bark or wood. High humidity, shade, cool temperatures. Keep moist.

Ferns: Ebony Spleenwort (Asplenium platyneuron): Petite, Evergreen Fern for Rocky Shade; Pellaea falcata: Sickle Fern (Australian Cliff Brake); Asplenium trichomanes: Maidenhair Spleenwort; Asplenium aethiopicum: Shredded Spleenwort; Lemmaphyllum microphyllum; Huperzia gnidioides (Fir Clubmoss); Blechnum lehmannii; Pleopeltis angusta; Weeping Spleenwort (Asplenium flaccidum); Shining Spleenwort (Asplenium oblongifolium)

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