Psilotum nudum

Psilotaceae

Psilotum nudum (L.) P.Beauv.

Link to Australian Plant Name Index for publication details and synonyms: https://id.biodiversity.org.au/name/apni/88129

Skeleton fork fern

Epiphytic or terrestrial plants. Rhizome branching, creeping, but often clumped. Aerial shoots erect, firm or sometimes flaccid in shaded situations, branched repeatedly in different planes in the upper part, 10–85 cm long. Branches prominently 3–7-ribbed, subterete in cross-section, to 4.5 mm diam.; stomata restricted to furrows between ribs. Sterile leaves restricted to ribs, subspiral, 1–2.5 mm long, terete, pale yellow, translucent towards the tips. Synangia 1.5–2 mm long, 2–2.5 mm wide.

Widespread in tropical and subtropical Australia. Also widespread in the tropics and subtropics globally.

Epiphytic, lithophytic or occasionally terrestrial in a broad spectrum of mesic or seasonally forest types. Commonly seen growing from a crack in rocks or between the roots of a strangler fig and its host tree.

This widespread species also naturalises in garden situations and urban areas. It is widely cultivated as an ornamental plant.

Readily cultivated in a hanging basket or pot of coarse free draining material. It takes a while to establish but plants are very long lived and grow into large specimens.

Psilotum nudum has more or less terete ultimate forks whereas Psilotum companatum has flattened ultimate forks.