Bird's Nest Fern

Description:

Asplenium australasicum, commonly known as "bird's nest fern" and "crow's nest fern", is an Australian native and belongs to the fern family Aspleniaceae. It is also an epiphytic fern in that it grows upon another plant in the wild, usually settling non-parasitically in the branches of trees, or sometimes as a lithophyte, upon some other object such as a rock or building, etc. It derives its moisture and nutrients from the air and rain, and sometimes from debris accumulating around it or within its leaves. This species can also grow terrestrially in soil. It grows in an upright rosette of long and shiny leaves which have a prominent midrib under the fronds, giving them a keeled appearance.

Habitat:

Subtropical rainforest in Bunya Mountains National Park, southeast Queensland. Here's some info on the park - http://www.nprsr.qld.gov.au/parks/bunya-...

Notes:

This fern was spotted growing on Queensland Red Cedar (Toona ciliata), as were many others I saw in other parts of the national park. This particular species of tree seems to be a favourite for a vast variety of fern and fungi species.