Family: Davalliaceae
Common Name: Leather Fern

This spreading fern is found only in the southern hemisphere-in parts of Australia, New Zealand, South America and South Africa.

Species

R. adiantiformis is the only species in cultivation. It has a long, creeping rhizome with light brown scales. The large, upright to pendent fronds are triangular in shape, with a wide base, leathery and glossy green above, and lighter green below. Spore cases are carried on the undersides of the leaflets on either side of the mid-vein. This is quite a tall-growing fern at up to 1.5 m (5 ft), and it has a spread of about 1 m (3 ft).

Cultivation

In climates prone to frost, grow in a warm conservatory or greenhouse. This fern is epiphytic so it can be grown in a hanging slatted, wooden orchid basket filled with soil-based potting compost, with added chipped bark and leaf mould. Alternatively, use a half pot or pan. It can also be grown on a slab or bark, hung up in the greenhouse. Plants need good light (but shade from direct sun), and a humid atmosphere. Outdoors grow in sun or partial shade with moist soil. Propagate from pieces of rhizome complete with roots.

Climate

Zone 10 to tropical.