Davallia solida var. fejeensis Hook., Noot.

Common name(s): Rabbits Foot Fern

Family: Davalliaceae Synonym(s): Davallia fejeensis Hook., Davallia fijiensis Diels., Stenolobus fejeensis C. Presl, Odonntoloma fijiensis J. Sm.

Fern

Taken by Ken Harrington on 14th June, 2021 at Salisbury, South Australia

Rhizome

Taken by Ken Harrington

Rhizome

Taken by Ken Harrington

Crozier (New Frond)

Taken by Ken Harrington

Frond (Front)

Taken by Ken Harrington

Frond (Back)

Taken by Ken Harrington

Petiole

Taken by Ken Harrington

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Fern / Fern Ally Properties

Origin(s)

Fiji

Fiji: Indigenous

Plant Type

Epiphytic Fern

Climate Range(s) - Habitat

Temperate Warm, Tropical-Sub, Tropical, Tropical Monsoon

Temperate Warm,

Tropical-Sub,

Tropical,

Tropical Monsoon

Aspect Range(s)

Shade - Dappled, Shade - Light, Shade - Medium

Shade - Dappled,

Shade - Light,

Shade - Medium

Habitat Range(s)

Rainforest - Sub-tropical, Rainforest - Tropical

Rainforest - Sub-tropical,

Rainforest - Tropical

Habitat Zone(s)

Cliffs, Moist areas, Moist Valley Slopes, Rock crevices, Sandy Moist, Scattered, Slopes, Understory, Water sides, Well drained, Wet Pockets, Wind Protected

Cliffs,

Moist areas,

Moist Valley Slopes,

Rock crevices,

Sandy Moist,

Scattered,

Slopes,

Understory,

Water sides,

Well drained,

Wet Pockets,

Wind Protected

Mature Height

250-500mm

Mature Width

250-500mm

Plant Shape

Broad Bun

Growth Rate

Slow

Life Span

30-50yrs

Frond Properties

Frond Colour(s) (upper)

Glossy, Green

Glossy,

Green

Frond Colour(s) (lower)

Green, Green Light

Green,

Green Light

Frond Texture (upper)

Leathery

Frond Texture (lower)

Leathery

Frond Aroma

None

Frond Length

90-100mm, 100-150mm, 150-200mm, 200-250mm, 250-300mm, 300-400mm, 400-500mm, 500-600mm

90-100mm,

100-150mm,

150-200mm,

200-250mm,

250-300mm,

300-400mm,

400-500mm,

500-600mm

Frond Width

90-100mm, 100-150mm, 150-200mm, 200-250mm, 250-300mm, 300-400mm

90-100mm,

100-150mm,

150-200mm,

200-250mm,

250-300mm,

300-400mm

Frond Shape(s)

Deltoid

Tripinnate

Deltoid,

Tripinnate

Triangular

Frond Position

Erect

Frond Arrangement

Alternate

Pinna Shape(s)

Lanceolate

Pinna Arrangement

Alternate

Pinnule Shape (Leaflet)

Elliptical

Pinnule Apice(s) (Leaflet)

Obtuse

Pinnule Base(s) (Leaflet)

Attenuate

Pinnule Margin(s) (Leaflet)

Lobed

Pinnule Cross Section(s) (Leaflet)

Flat

Rachis / Stem / Scale Properties

Rachis / Stem / Stipe Upper Colour(s)

Green

Rachis / Stem / Stipe Base Colour(s)

Brown, Brown Dark

Brown,

Brown Dark

Rachis / Stem / Stipe Upper Texture(s)

Glabrous

Smooth

Rachis / Stem / Stipe Base Texture(s)

Hairs Long

Hairs Soft

Scale Colour(s)

Brown

Scale Texture(s)

Hairs Soft

Stipe / Rachis Feature(s)

Hairs-Short , Hairs-Fine

Hairs-Short,

Hairs-Fine

Stipe / Rachis Cross Section

Terete

Indusia (Fruiting Body) Properties

Indusia Colour(s)

Brown-Light

Indusia Shape (Fruit)

Peltate

Indusia Size (Fruit)

1-5mm

Spore Properties

Spore Colour(s)

Brown

Spore Number

Many

Spore Dispersal

Wind

Root Properties

Root Type(s)

Rhizome Short-creeping

Root/Rhizome Texture(s)

Scaly

Hairy-Very , Soft

Hairy-Very,

Soft

Root Colour(s)

Yellow, Brown

Yellow,

Brown

Soil Properties

Soil Type(s)

Loam, Sandy-loam, Organic Matter, Hummus Rich

Loam,

Sandy-loam,

Organic Matter,

Hummus Rich

Soil pH Range(s)

Acid, Slightly Acid, Neutral, Slightly Alkaline

Acid,

Slightly Acid,

Neutral,

Slightly Alkaline

Soil Condition(s)

Damp

Moist

Damp,

Moist

Fertile , Shallow , Well Drained

Fertile,

Shallow,

Well Drained

Soil Salinities

None

Waterlogging Class

W0 – Low tolerance

Watering Requirements

WR2 - keep soil moist but never soggy, WR3 - never let soil dry out

WR2 - keep soil moist but never soggy,

WR3 - never let soil dry out

Other Properties / Uses

Bird Attraction(s)

Insect

Butterfly Attraction

None

Frog Habitat

Poor

Coastal

2nd Line

Edible(s)

None

Fire Regeneration(s)

Spore

Fire Retarding

None

Drought Tolerance

Poor

Frost Tolerance

Poor

Snow Tolerance

None

Smog Tolerant

Poor

Landscape Use

Good

Street Use

None

Commercial Use(s)

Floral Art - fronds, Horticulture - Amenity

Floral Art - fronds,

Horticulture - Amenity

Special Purpose(s)

Garden-Fern, Garden-Foliage, Garden-Informal, Garden-Rainforest, Garden-Tropical, Groundcover, Playground Friendly, Pond Edge, Poolside, Shade Tolerant, Shady Moist

Garden-Fern,

Garden-Foliage,

Garden-Informal,

Garden-Rainforest,

Garden-Tropical,

Groundcover,

Playground Friendly,

Pond Edge,

Poolside,

Shade Tolerant,

Shady Moist

Maintenance(s)

Dead Fronding

Pest / Diseases

Scale, Mealy Bug

Scale,

Mealy Bug

Dormancy

Summer

Minimum Temperature Tolerance

10 -12°C

Humidity Requirements

Medium, High

Medium,

High

Vulnerability

LC - Least Concern

Altitude Range - Habitat

0-100m, 100-200m, 200-300m, 300-400m, 400-500m, 500-600m, 600-700m

0-100m,

100-200m,

200-300m,

300-400m,

400-500m,

500-600m,

600-700m

Annual Precipitation Range

2,000mm, 2,200mm, 2,400mm, 2,600mm, 2,800mm, 3,000mm, 3,200mm, 3,400mm, 3,600mm, 3,800mm, 4,000mm, 4,200mm, 4,400mm, 4,600mm

2,000mm,

2,200mm,

2,400mm,

2,600mm,

2,800mm,

3,000mm,

3,200mm,

3,400mm,

3,600mm,

3,800mm,

4,000mm,

4,200mm,

4,400mm,

4,600mm

Fertilising Requirements

FR2, FR5, FR10

FR2,

FR5,

FR10

Wind Tolerance

Not Wind Tolerant

Propagation

Fresh Spore, Rhizomes

General Notes

A hardy fern for indoors, patio's with shade in pots or hanging baskets. In the landscape attached to tree trunks in protected areas they make a lovely addition to the fernery or foliage garden.

Propagation Notes

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Fresh Spore

Sowing

Spring Early, Autumn Late

Material Preparation

Place mature fronds 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. Allow to harden off before repotting.

Germination time:- 4 – 8 weeks prothalli appear, a green scum on surface. 6 - 12 months for first fronds to appear.

Rhizomes

Division

Spring Early

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 fronds per section to 2-3. Keep moist during preparation.

Propagating Mix

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 in a warm, shady position or in cooler areas a hot house at 50-75% humidity, 20-30^o C.

Strike Rate:- Field Stock 50 – 75%

Nursery Stock 95%

Rooting time:- Field Stock 6 - 8 weeks

Nursery Stock 4 - 6 weeks

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