Diplazium proliferum

Athyriaceae

Diplazium proliferum (Lam.) Kaulf.

Link to Australian Plant Name Index for publication details and synonyms: https://id.biodiversity.org.au/name/apni/214085

Tick Fern

Rhizome erect, stout, scaly; scales brown, with bilobed marginal teeth. Fronds to more than 2 m long. Stipe to 15–50 cm long, tuberculate to spinulose and scaly at the base; scales borne on small protuberances. Lamina to 150 cm long and 60 cm wide, 1-pinnate, thin to fleshy; distal portion pinnatifid, proliferous buds produced in distal pinnae axils; rachis tuberculate; lateral veins parallel; lateral veinlets anastomosing regularly with those of adjacent groups. Sori elongate along the veinlets, numerous, often in U-shaped pairs; indusium elongate. 

Occurs in wet coastal NE QLD from Daintree to Rockingham Bay. Also widespread across the palaeotropics.

Terrestrial in low altitude rainforest where it is usually found in high light to semi-shade in wet or inundated areas.

Produces small plantlets in the axils of pinnae, these plantlets can break off to form new plants in the colony.

Easily cultivated in the ground in a moist shaded tropical garden or fernery. This species does not tolerate drying out and should be given plenty of water. It is easy to propagate from bulbils and is commonly available.