Diplazium proliferum
Random fun facts:
- This plant has 5 synonyms; Asplenium proliferum, Callipteris prolifera, Diplazium accedens, Callipteris accedens, Athyrium accedens. (These photos were taken from the New York Botanic Garden and the name was taken from their accession data and label… Not sure if I’m using the most accurate plant name for this blog post is all.)
- The young fronds (fiddleheads) are edible and in some countries are treated like vegetables!
The Specs:
Family: Woodsiaceae (according to NPGS/GRIN)
Genus: Diplazium
Species: proliferum
Common Name: Mother Fern
Region of Origin/Nativity: Tropical Africa, Asia and Polynesia
Characteristics: Its a large erectly growing fern with rhizome that are covered with brown scales. Leaves are pinnate, have a leathery feel and produce bulbilbs and young plants at the nodes all along the rachis. Brown spores cover the bottom of the leaves.
Life Span: Temperate perennial
Hardiness: Conservatory Plant
Cultivation requirements: Moist, humid conditions with light filtered sun. Prefers moist and fertile soils.
Propagation Method: This plant can be grown from spores. The plant has bulbils (or ‘pups’) that if left on the plant, they’ll develop into plantlets. The plantlets can be directly taken off the plant and put directly into the soil.
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