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Grammitis billardierei /Hymenophyllum australe
Growing on trunks of giant eucalyptus trees was a carpet of different types of ferns. The long fronds (Strap Fern/ Grammitis billardierei) with long sori (pic #2) were interspersed with small beautifully branching ferns (Austral Filmy-fern/ Hymenophyllum australe). They were dripping with moisture from the tree tops
Damp eucalyptus forest
There was moss as well on these trunks - just a mat of textured green !
My thanks to Vinny for the IDs for the two different ferns.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grammitis_b...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hymenophyll...
Spotted on Feb 18, 2012
Submitted on Apr 25, 2012
6 Comments
Not a problem Leuba, the trunk of these giant eucalypts must have been quite a sight.
Vinny, So pleased to have you look at my spottings. Thanks for the information and for providing the correct IDs for these. Have learnt something new !!
The fern with the spores shown on the underside of the leaf looks like Grammitis billardierei.
Also, the flora of Melbourne suggests Trichomanes plicatum isn't found in the area but Hymenophyllum australe from the same family (Hymenophyllaceae), fits the bill as the stipe has leaf material running the whole way along.
Thanks very much for the link Martin. I have found the ID for the branching fern -Trichomanes plicatum. I will put up the relevant link on the notes.
....the fronds were only about 20mm to 40mm long.
What do you think of this one?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/49147273@N0...