Asplenium australasicum

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Plant
ID 69 Asplenium australasicum
Botanic Name Asplenium australasicum
Common Name Birds Nest Fern, Crow's-nest Fern, Kota‘a
Family Name Aspleniaceae
Cultivars 'Norfolk Gem', 'Victoria', syn. Asplenium nidus
Origin Australia, East Coast, Zone 10-12
Growth Type Fern
Bark Type Stemless / Acaulescent
Foliage Type Evergreen Water Use Low
No. of Species 700
Growth Habit Epiphytic Growth Rate Medium
Height 0.8 - 1.5 m (3 - 5 ft) Spread 3 m (10 ft)
Plant Overview
This spleenwort (fern) has a fleshy thick short creeping rhizome and forms a rosette of wide, light to dark green broad lanced-shaped fronds. It may be terrestrial or epiphytic preferring a drier shaded position and produces spores during summer.
Leaf
Type Simple Additional Information
Shape Lanceolate
The large lanceolate fronds have prominent dark mid rib and are up to 200 mm (8 in) wide by 1.2 m (4 ft) long and taper to an obtuse or acute apex. The texture is leathery and the fronds are light green, turning darker with age.
Arrangement Basal
Margin Entire
Colour Green
Size 800 - 1200 mm ( 31.5 - 47.2 in )
Flower
Perfume Odorless Additional Information
Shape
The numerous sori extending from mid rib to two-thirds frond width and appear as fine brown lines on the underside of the frond during summer.
Inflorescence Sori
Colour Brown
Size 0 - 0 mm ( 0.0 - 0.0 in )
Flowering in
(Southern Hemisphere)
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Fruit
Type Sporangium Additional Information
Colour Brown
The brown sori appear numerously on the back of the fertile fronds and are arranged about 4 mm (1/8 in) apart in straight lines from the mid-rib to three-quarters of the width of the frond.
Edible No
Bird Attractive No
Size 0 - 0 mm ( 0.0 - 0.0 in )
Fruiting in
(Southern Hemisphere)
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Environment & Cultivation
Natural Soil Humus rich, loam, tolerates dry soil (epiphyte), moist rocks or branches pH 6-7
Container Pots, tubs, hanging baskets, under glass in cool climates during winter
Climate Sub-tropical
Aspect Filtered light, avoid direct sun, frost and drought tender
Pest & Diseases Mealy bugs, fern scale, whitefly, leaf nematodes, leaf spot, grey mold
Fertiliser Mulch with leaf mould, potted plants apply dilute liquid fertiliser monthly, in the growing period
Pruning Not normally required, remove spent foliage
Cultural Uses Propagation
The Birds Nest Fern is grown for its large spreading fronds that form a vase like habit. It is a striking feature plant that is grown around a water feature or used in a rainforest setting and in shaded rockeries. It is also grown on trees.
Place spores on sterilised sphagnum or peat moss then cover with glass, keep moist for 4 to 6 weeks maintaining a temperature of 16 C (61 F), with indirect light. Cleanliness is essential during the spore sowing process.
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