Basket Fern

Description:

Drynaria rigidula, commonly known as the Basket Fern, belongs to the family Polypodiaceae. The fertile foliage fronds are large and dark green, the smaller brown sterile nest fronds are clustered at their bases. Basket ferns are epiphytic (growing on trees) or epipetric (growing on rocks). Easily recognizable by being the only species in the genus with 1-pinnate foliage fronds. The lobes are narrow, taper to a sharp point, and are narrowly-winged at their attachment to the rachis. Sori are arranged in two rows along the primary vein of each lobe. An interesting fact: Amethystine pythons (Morelia amethistina) commonly seek shelter in Drynaria rigidula. I'll be sure to keep an eye open next time. PS: I originally misidentified this spotting as Prickly Rasp Fern (Doodia aspera), also an Australian native. It also took me over 3 years to identify this error, but it has now been rectified with the correct species ID.

Habitat:

Found along a trail in Brisbane Forest Park near Enoggera Reservoir. Natural bushland vegetation. It grows on sandstone and igneous (granite and basalt) substrates, in sand or gravelly soils. This specimen was found growing on (mostly) shale, and on a dead tree trunk. It can grow as scattered plants or as dense colonies. It likes moist forest areas, but can also grow in dryer areas, as is the case with this spotting. It is a very hardy species.

Notes:

Although common in Queensland, Drynaria rigidula has been classified as an endangered species in NSW. The species is currently known from only 3 locations in NSW. https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/deter...