Leaf Fern

Family Kostentsovye. Occurs in all parts of the world with a temperate climate. The only representative of this species is a wild European plant subject to protection. Native range - the Mediterranean, where old fronds withstand drops in temperature and even frosts; indoor forms are more warmth-loving.

The plant has gained popularity for its undivided fronds, which are quite rare among ferns. The spore-bearing areas in the form of bands are arranged parallel to each other. The base of the frond blade is auriculate, the midrib is light. Rosette height 35 cm. Forms with a curly frond margin have been bred - undulatum and crispum. This is an impressive frost-hardy ornamental plant that grows successfully in the garden. In cultivation the plants are kept in a cool, shady place, for example on a north-facing window.

A terrestrial or epiphytic rosette-forming plant. Leaves bright green, glossy, up to 60 cm long, entire, lanceolate or tongue-shaped, with entire margins, sometimes irregularly notched, wavy, with a cordate base. Petiole short (5-10 cm), densely covered with dark brown scales. Sori broad-linear, of varying lengths, positioned obliquely on both sides of the midrib. Native to Europe, W. and S-E. Asia and N. America. Grows in forests, on moist, shaded rocks.

Location: shady and cool. In summer it is recommended to take the plant outdoors. In winter keep at a temperature of about 10°C.

Lighting: Partial shade

Watering: The soil should be moderately moist throughout the year. Use soft water for watering.

Air humidity: High

Humidity: If the room air is dry and warm, the fern is immersed in moist peat or placed on a tray with water.

Care: The plant, like all ferns, is moisture-loving and shade-tolerant. It grows well in partial shade and can develop under artificial lighting. Regular watering and misting are necessary; the root ball must not dry out. Филлитис is very sensitive to dry air, especially during the unfolding of fronds. The main symptoms of insufficient misting are underdeveloped, deformed leaves. The plant has a distinct seasonal growth pattern. Starting in March young fronds develop; in summer new fronds almost do not grow. Each frond lives a little more than a year. To maintain the seasonal rhythm, the plant requires a cool temperature in winter (10°C).

Propagation: Despite the abundance of fronds, the growing point is usually solitary. New growing points are formed rarely, which makes vegetative propagation very difficult. Therefore the plant is mainly propagated by spores, which is quite difficult to do at home.

based on material from the website www.florus.com