Phlegmariurus phlegmarioides

Lycopodiaceae

Phlegmariurus phlegmarioides (Gaudich.) A.R.Field & Bostock

Link to Australian Plant Name Index for publication details and synonyms: https://id.biodiversity.org.au/name/apni/242310

Layered Tassel-Fern

Epiphytic plants. Branches tufted, at first erect, becoming arched to pendulous, branched several times, 40–80 cm long; sterile portion (including leaves) 12–18 mm diam. Leaves arranged in 4 rows, coriaceous, stiff, angled at 40° to axis, ovate to lanceolate, acute, entire, adnate to branch, decurrent, 8–15 mm long, 3–6 mm wide, bright green to yellow-green. Transition from sterile to sporogenous zone abrupt. Sporogenous zone 2–20 cm long, 1.5–2 mm diam., 1–several times forked. Sporophylls ovate, acute, opposite, decussate, appressed, 2–3.5 mm long, 1.5–1.7 mm wide. Sporangia one-third to slightly less than the sporophyll length.

Iron Range in Cape York to Hinchinbrook Island NE QLD, usually at low altitudes. Also in Malesia and Polynesia.

Epiphytic in rainforest.

Best cultivated in a hanging container of coarse free draining mix or in a nest-fern in a tropical shaded garden or fernery. This species is less tolerant of cool conditions.

Can be distinguished from other Australian Phlegmariurus by the heterophyllous shoots and lycophylls spreading in four planes.