Psilotum complanatum
Flat Fork Fern
A member of the family Psilotaceae.
A epiphytic pendent fern to a maximum of 70 centimetres tall (often much less). The solitary fruit in the axil is a sporocarp, ripening throughout the year. The plant is most likely to be dispersed by wind and water.
The scale like leaves are simple, have an alternate presentation on the stem, and are brown to olive above and below. New growth is green. Leaf margins are entire.
Habitats: May be found in the following habitats: littoral rainforests, dry rainforests, subtropical rainforests, warm-temperate rainforests,
No particular geology is favoured, with humic and well drained soils preferred.
Distribution: For the region considered by this work, it is recorded from the following botanical regions: North Coast. Actual distribution limits with respect to the whole of New South Wales include Port Macquarie to the south and Queensland to the north. With respect to northern New South Wales, the eastern limit is the sea, and west to the coast. The plants mainly occur at low altitudes (mostly below 150m)*.
Within a population, the individuals generally have an abundance of occasional to uncommon.
Rarity codings and significance for this species include endangered in the N.S.W. Threatened Species Conservation Act.
Similar species: Similarity can be seen in Exocarpos, Leptomeria, Choretrum and Viscum species.
Distinguishing characters: flattened stems, elliptic in cross-section, and strongly pendent habit, in wetter and more humid habitats. It does not produce flowers.
Fire: The plant's response to fire is that it is probably killed, being most sensitive to fire at any time. The juvenile period is most likely to be years. Note that fire response in many species is untested, and if the terms 'possibly' or 'probably' are used, that relates to the most likely outcome. The response of an individual is often dependent upon the timing and intensity of the fire. Also consider that any fire is likely to interrupt reproduction in a species, so consideration of the fruiting time, and periods beforehand during fruit development, are necessary in developing a suitable fire regime.
Propagation:
The materials recommended for propagation of the species are spores. Generally, the plants will grow at a slow rate.
The genus text page for Psilotum will be presented in the Genus Window if you select Psilotum in this paragraph.
This species may be found in the 1st volume, on page 3 of the Flora of N.S.W..
* - Low altitudes are below 300m, high altitudes are mainly above 900m. Medium altitudes are the band between. Sub-tidal is below the low tide level, and littoral is between the high and low tide marks.