Calochlaena dubia

Common name(s): Soft Bracken, False Bracken, Common Ground Bracken, Rainbow Fern

Family: Dicksoniaceae (Culcitaceae) Synonym(s): Culcita dubia, Davallia dubia

Fern

Taken by Unknown Photographer

Frond

Taken by Unknown Photographer

Frond

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Pinna

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Rachis / Stem

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Fern / Fern Ally Properties

Origin(s)

Australia

NSW: NT, NC, CS, CT, CC, ST, SC, CAN
QLD: CO, KN, KS, LE, PC, BN, WB, DD, MO
SA: SE
TAS: NW, ML, NE, BL, EC, SW, FU
VIC: WA, GR, MI, VP, OP, OR, EH, GP, GH, PR, EG

New Zealand

Nth. Is.: AU

Plant Type

Terrestrial Fern

Climate Range(s) - Habitat

Temperate Cool, Temperate Warm, Mediterranean, Tropical-Sub, Tropical

Temperate Cool,

Temperate Warm,

Mediterranean,

Tropical-Sub,

Tropical

Aspect Range(s)

Sun - Morning, Shade - Dappled, Shade - Medium, Shade - Heavy

Sun - Morning,

Shade - Dappled,

Shade - Medium,

Shade - Heavy

Habitat Range(s)

Garden, Landscape, Rainforest - Temperate, Rainforest - Tropical, Sclerophyll Forest - Wet

Garden,

Landscape,

Rainforest - Temperate,

Rainforest - Tropical,

Sclerophyll Forest - Wet

Habitat Zone(s)

Gullies, Heavy soils, Moist areas, Moist Valley Slopes, Understory, Well drained

Gullies,

Heavy soils,

Moist areas,

Moist Valley Slopes,

Understory,

Well drained

Mature Height

1-2m

Mature Width

2-3m

Plant Shape

Low Open Bun

Growth Rate

Moderate

Life Span

15-30yrs

Frond Properties

Frond Colour(s) (upper)

Green, Green Light

Green,

Green Light

Frond Colour(s) (lower)

Green, Green Light

Green,

Green Light

Frond Texture (upper)

Smooth

Frond Aroma

None

Frond Length

300-400mm

Frond Position

Erect

Frond Arrangement

Basal or Radial

Rachis / Stem / Scale Properties

Rachis / Stem / Stipe Upper Colour(s)

Brown Light, Mottled, Red-brown

Brown Light,

Mottled,

Red-brown

Rachis / Stem / Stipe Base Colour(s)

Brown Dark

Rachis / Stem / Stipe Upper Texture(s)

Hairy-Slightly

Rachis / Stem / Stipe Base Texture(s)

Hairs Soft

Indusia (Fruiting Body) Properties

Indusia Colour(s)

Brown-Light

Indusia Texture(s)

Hairy-Slightly

Indusia Shape (Fruit)

False Indusium Rolled Margin

Root Properties

Root Type(s)

Rhizome Short-creeping

Root/Rhizome Texture(s)

Fleshy , Wiry

Fleshy,

Wiry

Root Colour(s)

Brown, Red, Red-brown

Brown,

Red,

Red-brown

Soil Properties

Soil Type(s)

Clay, Clay-loam, Loam, Sandy-loam

Clay,

Clay-loam,

Loam,

Sandy-loam

Soil pH Range(s)

Acid, Slightly Acid, Neutral, Slightly Alkaline

Acid,

Slightly Acid,

Neutral,

Slightly Alkaline

Soil Condition(s)

Moist

Poor , Shallow , Deep

Poor,

Shallow,

Deep

Soil Salinities

None

Other Properties / Uses

Bird Attraction(s)

Insect

Frog Habitat

None

Coastal

None

Fire Regeneration(s)

Spore, Rhizome

Spore,

Rhizome

Fire Retarding

None

Frost Tolerance

Moderate

Snow Tolerance

None

Smog Tolerant

Poor

Landscape Use

Moderate

Street Use

None

Commercial Use(s)

None

Special Purpose(s)

Groundcover, Shade Tolerant, Shady Moist, Soil Binder

Groundcover,

Shade Tolerant,

Shady Moist,

Soil Binder

Propagation

Fresh Spore

General Notes

A very common fern in its range, growing under Eucalypt forest, roadsides and creeks, on poorer soils. Not a true bracken fern. Spreads quite readily with stout rhizomes across the ground.

Propagation Notes

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Fresh Spore

Material Preparation

Sori containing the spores will be green, then turn dark brown to black when ripe. Place mature fronds, cut down into smaller pieces in a paper bag and keep warm and dry. After a few days the spores and frass will collect in the bottom of the bag, remove the fine spore dust, place in an envelope. Store in a cool dark place. Sow spore as soon as possible after collection.

Propagating Mix

Peat Moss / Coco Peat sterilized with boiling water.

Treatment

Sow spores as soon after collection as possible for best results. Once the sterilized medium has cooled, place in a pot, spread the spores over the medium. Cover the top of the pot immediately with clear plastic or glass. Stand the pot in a shallow dish of water. Place on 21° heated bed. Maintain a hothouse temperature around 21 - 25° at plant level, where possible. Remove cover 1 -2 weeks after first fronds appear, care should be taken to ensure they do not dry out. Allow to harden off before repotting.

Viable spores/gram:-

Germination time:- 2 – 4 weeks prothalli appear, a green scum on surface. 6 - 12 months for first fronds to appear.

Pricking out:- when 2nd frond appears to avoid over crowding

Tube mix:- Coco Peat or Peat Moss 75% / Isolite 25%

Rhizomes

Division

May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Material Preparation

For field collected stock, choose small to medium clumps. Dig up and remove the top half of the foliage on site. Wash all soil from the roots. Carefully prize apart the root system for each section of the clump, ensure each section of rhizome has roots attached. Remove damaged roots. Reduce the number of stems per section by 50%. Drop all sections into a mild solution of Phosacid bath to kill any Phytopthera etc, from the field collection. Drain. Keep moist during preparation.

For nursery stock, remove from the pot. Wash all soil from the roots. Carefully prize apart the root system for each clump, ensure each section has roots attached. Remove damaged roots. Reduce the number of stems per section by 50%. Keep moist during preparation.

Propagating Mix

BioGrow Premium Potting Mix

Treatment

Keep hydrated during prep. Pot up as soon as possible. Water in with dilute 30ml Seasol and 10ml Plant Starter solution to 5 lt. water. Place outside in a shady position.

Strike Rate:- Field Stock 50 – 75%

Nursery Stock 95%

Rooting time:- Field Stock 6 - 8 weeks

Nursery Stock 4 - 6 weeks

Division Yield per 140mm Pot:- 2 – 3 plants