Ribbon Fern

by Gary Kenning

Family: Ophioglossaceae.

Genus: Ophioglossum. Linn.

(The name literally means Adder's Tongue, the English name for plants of this genus).

This is a small genus generally spread over the tropical and temperate regions of the globe. Ophioglossum pendulum is tropical Asiatic. Usually found growing in the rainforests of north Queensland. There are several other species, including terrestrial forms that have not been identified.

Description:

Ophioglossum pendulum (meaning pendulous). Linn.

Barren and fertile fronds pendulous from the masses of Platycerium (Elkhorn Fern) on trees, often growing to 1.5 metres long, ribbon-like, entire or rarely forked at the end, leaf-like throughout, or tapering at the base into very short stipes.

Spike 2.5 cm to 15.2 cm long on a short peduncle arising from the central line of the frond far from or sometimes near the base.

Spore cases in two opposite rows buried when young in the continuous margins, at length occupying nearly the whole breadth of the spike which, like the sterile portion, is sometimes forked.

Growing Conditions:

I have grown my plants successfully under 48% shade cloth in a protected corner of the bush house for many years.

The potting mixture should be well drained and porous. I use a cymbidium mixture with silver bark and charcoal. The plants are fertilized every six weeks with half strength "Fish Emulsion" and a light sprinkling of "Osmocote" 18-2.6-10 N.P.K. every six to eight months. Watered regularly.