''Lomaria nuda'', commonly known as the fishbone waterfern, is a fern that grows up to a metre tall, and is abundant in

rainforest Rainforests are characterized by a closed and continuous tree canopy, moisture-dependent vegetation, the presence of epiphytes and lianas and the absence of wildfire. Rainforest can be classified as tropical rainforest or temperate rainfores ...

and

eucalyptus ''Eucalyptus'' () is a genus of over seven hundred species of flowering trees, shrubs or mallees in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae. Along with several other genera in the tribe Eucalypteae, including '' Corymbia'', they are commonly known as euca ...

forests in eastern

Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...

. The species is placed in the genus ''

Lomaria ''Lomaria'' is a genus of ferns belonging to the family Blechnaceae. Species In the Circumscription (taxonomy), circumscription used in the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I), the genus contains six species: *''Lomaria b ...

'' in the

Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group The Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group, or PPG, is an informal international group of systematic botanists who collaborate to establish a consensus on the classification of pteridophytes ( lycophytes and ferns) that reflects knowledge about plant relatio ...

classification of 2016 (PPG I), but is often retained in genus ''

Blechnum ''Blechnum'', known as hard fern, is a genus of ferns in the family Blechnaceae, subfamily Blechnoideae, according to the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). Two very different circumscriptions of the genus are used by ...

'' as ''Blechnum nudum''.

Habit

The mature fishbone waterfern typically has simple, pinnate fronds of length 40–60 cm. Fronds have a short, thick stipe that is sometimes covered in small hairs. The class of

blechnum ''Blechnum'', known as hard fern, is a genus of ferns in the family Blechnaceae, subfamily Blechnoideae, according to the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). Two very different circumscriptions of the genus are used by ...

ferns are typified by having distinct fertile and sterile fronds. Fertile fronds are easily distinguishable from sterile fronds in the fishbone waterfern. Overall, sterile fronds tend to be more delicate in appearance, with a thinner longer stipe. Fertile fronds are simply pinnate, like the sterile variety, but can grow to be much longer than sterile fronds in the fishbone fern. Pinna are thin, with a rounder profile than the flat pinna of the sterile fronds. Fertile pinna are curved towards the tip of the frond, and are much shorter than sterile pinna. The longest pinna of the sterile ferns are in the middle of the frond, with length decreasing towards each end.

Reproduction and propagation

The fishbone waterfern displays a life cycle typical of

ferns A fern (Polypodiopsida or Polypodiophyta ) is a member of a group of vascular plants (plants with xylem and phloem) that reproduce via spores and have neither seeds nor flowers. The polypodiophytes include all living pteridophytes except th ...

. One feature of the Blechnaceae that differs from other ferns is distinct fertile and sterile fronds. While many ferns produce sporangia on the lower surface of fronds, meaning any frond could become fertile, Blechnaceae species have separate fronds for spore production. Aside from this main difference, the fishbone waterfern shows a typical sexual reproductive process to most ferns. Vegetative growth is another strategy used by the fishbone waterfern to increase in number and size. The fern grows through an underground rhizomic stem, which spreads underground. Fronds emerge from beneath the ground via the stipe. Over time, one plant may spread its underground stems over a great distance. This asexual reproduction is common amongst ferns. Nudum2

Distribution and habitat

The fishbone water fern grows in all Australian states except for Western Australia. In most suitable habitats, this waterfern grows abundantly. The fishbone waterfern can grow in a range of wet forests. Like many

, it thrives in areas of higher water availability. Because of this, the fishbone waterfern inhabits moist, poorly drained sites. Shade is an essential factor for the fishbone waterfern due to its need for water. Poorly drained soils are also important for times of lower rainfall- this allows water to be retained in the soil, available to the plant, even when rainfall is low. However, the fishbone waterfern will grow in full sun if sufficient water is available. Thus this fern will often be found growing in roadside ditches where sun is plentiful, but water pools after running off roads. Creek beds are a similar, naturally occurring high water low rainfall habitat. Thus, two suitable habitats are

and wet

forest. Both forest types tend to be high rainfall, with a large percentage of canopy cover to ensure shade. Fertile soils allow the waterfern to propagate and become abundant in wet eucalypt and rainforests.

Uses

The fishbone waterfern is commonly sold in nurseries as an ornamental plant. Its hardiness and aesthetic qualities combine to make a plant that is popular among gardeners.

References

* Plant Net http://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/cgi-bin/NSWfl.pl?page=nswfl&lvl=sp&name=Blechnum~nudum retrieved 13 March 2017 * dpipwe https://web.archive.org/web/20160323101808/http://Quarantine.Enquiries@dpipwe.tas.gov.au/Documents/Blechnum-nudum-Notesheet.pdf retrieved 2017-03-17 * Gardens Online http://www.gardensonline.com.au/GardenShed/PlantFinder/Show_1651.aspx retrieved 2017-03-17

External links

* {{Taxonbar, from1=Q15603281, from2=Q4925805 Blechnaceae Ferns of Australia Endemic flora of Australia Flora of New South Wales Flora of Queensland Flora of South Australia Flora of Victoria (Australia) Flora of Tasmania Taxa named by Jacques Labillardière