Psilotum nudum
Skeleton Fork Fern
A member of the family Psilotaceae.
A terrestrial to epiphytic pendent fern to a maximum of 50 centimetres (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, cool-temperate rainforests, wet sclerophyll forests, dry sclerophyll forests, grassy forests, woodlands, riparian areas, and rocky areas including crevices and scree.
No particular geology is favoured, with humic and well drained soils preferred.
Distribution: For the region considered by this work, it is recorded within the following botanical regions: North Coast, Northern Tablelands and the Northwest Slopes. Actual distribution limits with respect to the whole of New South Wales include the Shoalhaven River 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 ranges. The plants occur at any altitude.
Within a population, the individuals generally have an abundance of occasional.
Similar species: Similarity can be seen in Exocarpos, Leptomeria, Choretrum and Viscum species.
Distinguishing characters: Stems are round to angular, but not flattened, and often held erect or in an arching manner. The plant does not produce flowers and favours drier habitats than P. complanatum.
Fire: The plant's response to fire is that it is possibly resprouting if the rhizome is protected, 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..