Pteris vittata

Pteridaceae

Pteris vittata L.

Link to Australian Plant Name Index for publication details and synonyms: https://id.biodiversity.org.au/name/apni/72976

Ladder Brake, Chinese Brake

Terrestrial or lithophytic ferns. Rhizome short-creeping; scales numerous, conspicuous, c. 5 mm long, narrowly triangular, pale brown. Fronds monomorphic, arching, appearing to radiate from a crown. Stipe usually c. 2–25 cm long, pale brown, grooved, scaly towards base. Lamina 1-pinnate, oblong-obovate, c. 15–80 cm long, c. 5–30 cm wide. Pinnae closely spaced, to 25 cm long, narrowly oblong and tapering above, decreasing in length from apex to base, most pinnae attached by midrib only; base subcordate, ±overlying rachis; margins finely serrate in sterile zones. Lowermost pinnae very much shorter, deltoid to cordate; terminal pinna usually the longest; veins free, at ±90° to costa, simple or once-forked. Paraphyses abundant. 

Widespread in tropical and subtropical Australia. Also widespread in the Palaeotropics.

Terrestrial or lithophytic on rock walls in dry to mesic vine forest or sclerophyll forest near waterholes.

Readily cultivated in the ground or a container in a tropical or subtropical garden or fernhouse.