Pouched coral fern facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pouched coral fern |
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| Coral Fern at Roseville Chase, Australia | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Gleichenia
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| Species: |
dicarpa
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| Synonyms | |
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Gleichenia circinnata Sw. |
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The Gleichenia dicarpa is a small fern often called the pouched coral fern or tangle fern. It belongs to the Gleicheniaceae family. You can find it in eastern Australia, New Caledonia, and New Zealand. This fern often grows in wet places like swamps and riverbanks. It forms thick, tangled groups.
Contents
What is the Pouched Coral Fern?
How Was it Discovered?
Famous explorers Joseph Banks and Daniel Solander first collected this fern. They found it in November 1769 at Mercury Bay in New Zealand. Later, a botanist named Robert Brown officially described it. He included it in his book Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae in 1810.
What Does its Name Mean?
The scientific name Gleichenia dicarpa has a special meaning. The first part, Gleichenia, honors a German botanist named W.F. von Gleichen. The second part, dicarpa, comes from Ancient Greek words. It means "two fruit," which refers to how its spores are held.
People in New Zealand call it the tangle fern, Spider fern, or swamp umbrella fern. In Australia, it's known as the pouched coral fern or wiry coral fern.
How Does it Look?
The pouched coral fern has many fronds, which are like fern leaves. These fronds grow mostly straight up from a thin, branched rhizome. A rhizome is an underground stem that helps the plant spread. Each frond can grow up to 2 meters (7 feet) long. The smaller parts of the fronds, called pinnules, are tiny. They are only about 1 to 1.5 millimeters long.
These tiny pinnules have curved edges, making them look like small cups or pouches. This is where the fern gets its common name, "pouched coral fern." Inside these pouches, you can find two spores. Spores are like seeds for ferns. They start out yellowish and turn black when they are ready to spread. If the fronds grow in very sunny spots, they might look bleached or yellow.
Where Does the Pouched Coral Fern Live?
Its Home Across the Pacific
The pouched coral fern lives in many places. In eastern Australia, you can find it in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, and Tasmania. It is very common in Tasmania, even growing high up in mountains, sometimes at altitudes of 900 meters (3000 feet).
It is also widespread in New Zealand. It grows on the North, South, and Stewart Islands, as well as the Chatham Islands. You can also find this fern in New Caledonia.
Where it Likes to Grow
This fern is a common plant. You often see it growing near waterfalls, in peatlands, and under cliffs. It also thrives in tall, open forests. It can grow in soil that doesn't have many nutrients. However, it prefers places with high humidity, plenty of sunshine, and good moisture.
The tangled roots of the pouched coral fern help collect dead plant material. This also helps prevent soil from washing away, which is called erosion. This fern can also be a pioneer species. This means it is one of the first plants to grow in areas where the ground has been disturbed.
How to Grow Pouched Coral Fern
Even though you can't usually buy this fern in stores, you can grow it from its spores. It grows well as long as it stays moist and isn't moved around too much. It likes soil that is a bit acidic and prefers sunny spots.
Images for kids
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Coral Fern at Roseville Chase, Australia
