Asplenium nidus

Aspleniaceae

Asplenium nidus L.

Link to Australian Plant Name Index for publication details and synonyms: https://id.biodiversity.org.au/name/apni/105671

Birds-Nest Fern

Ferns with nest-like habit. Rhizome erect, scaly, unbranched with a single growing point. Fronds spreading horizontally before arising in a regular rosette. Stipe indistinct, 1–5 cm long, 5–8 mm wide. Rachis in cross-section prominent and often 2-angled on upper surface, flat or only slightly keeled below. Lamina narrowly obovate, simple, 90–125 cm long, 8.5–15 cm wide, shiny green and ±glabrous; bases narrowly cuneate; margins entire; apices acute; veins free except for a marginal connection. Sori very numerous, close together; longest sori 18–40 mm long, extending from midrib, usually occupying less than half width of lamina. Perispores pale with fimbriate broad ridges and fenestrate lacunae; exospores 42.9–47.8 × 28.3–32.2 µm (means).

Torres Strait to the Whitsundays NE QLD. Also widespread in the Palaeotropics.

Epiphytic or lithophytic in high to low rainfall vine forest. It is an abundant canopy epiphyte in low altitude high rainfall rainforest and gallery forest and an abundant lithophyte on rocks, especially in boulder pile vine forest.

This is a large nest-forming species with a rosette of fronds that funnel rain and falling debris into its root system. The root system and debris form a sponge that retains water into dry periods. It is commonly utilised as habitat for other epiphytes and arboreal animals. Asplenium nidus is a widely cultivated ornamental fern and many horticultural varieties exist.

As for Asplenium australasicum but more tolerant of hot tropical conditions. It is particularly succeptible to white scale.

1a. Midrib strongly keeled on lower surface = Asplenium australasicum

1b. Midrib rounded on lower surface = Asplenium nidus