Blechnum minus
Soft Water-fern
Densely tufted perennial fern with erect to spreading fronds, on erect rhizome (rooting stem), sometimes forming a short trunk. Forms spreading colonies. Sterile and fertile fronds dissimilar. New growth pink.
Additional information
- FamilyBlechnaceae
- StoreyLower storey
- Size0.5-1.2 m x 0.5-1 m
- Plant groupingFerns & Fern Allies
- LeavesCrinkled, oblong shiny green sterile fronds to 30 cm wide, once divided; few scales under midvein. Narrow shortly stalked leaflets scattered along midrib, smaller, rounded below. Fertile fronds drooping, segments long & narrow. Pale upper stems & scales.
- FlowersNon-flowering. Narrow, continuous spore cases covering either side of midvein, covered by recurved margin when young.
- Bird attractingNo
- Butterfly attractingNo
- Frog habitatYes
- Growing conditionsWet to waterlogged soils along watercourses and swamp margins in riparian, moist and wet forests. Full sun to dappled shade.
- Garden useFerneries and beside water areas, tolerating sun if the roots remain moist.
- Commercially availableAustralian plant & indigenous nurseries
- Conservation statusWidespread within the Shire
- Aboriginal Use In some areas - food - starchy rhizome eaten raw or roasted
- Related speciesDistinguish from Blechnum cartilagineum and Blechnum nudum by the lower segments which are much smaller and more distant than the rest of the frond and by the crinkly, stalked segments.
Photo Gallery
Photographer/s: 1, 3, 5 Peter Kinchington ©; 2, 4 Marilyn Bull ©
Plant Communities