Australian brake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Australian brake |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Pteris
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| Species: |
tremula
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Pteris tremula, also known as Australian brake or tender brake, is a type of fern. It belongs to the Pteridaceae family. This fern grows naturally in shady spots and forests. You can find it in eastern Australia and New Zealand.
It has light green, delicate fronds (fern leaves). These fronds can grow up to 2 meters (about 6.5 feet) long. The fern grows from an upright stem called a rhizome. This rhizome is covered with small brown scales. Pteris tremula grows quickly and is easy to care for. However, it can sometimes spread very easily in gardens.
Contents
About the Name
A botanist named Robert Brown first described this plant in 1810. A botanist is a scientist who studies plants. He gave it the name Pteris tremula, which it still has today.
The second part of its name, tremula, comes from a Latin word. It means "trembling" or "shaking." This might refer to how its delicate fronds move in the wind. This fern is part of a large group of ferns called Pteris. There are about 300 different Pteris species worldwide. Seven of these species grow in Australia. A common name for this fern is tender brake.
Different Types
Within the Pteris tremula species, there are a few different types, called varieties:
- Pteris tremula var. caudata
- Pteris tremula var. minor
- Pteris tremula var. pectinata
- Pteris tremula var. tremula
What it Looks Like
Pteris tremula is a land fern, meaning it grows in soil. Its fronds grow from the ground. They can reach about 1.3 meters (4.3 feet) tall. Sometimes, they can even grow up to 2 meters (6.5 feet). The main stem of the frond, called the stipe, is brown.
The fronds are light green and look very lacy. They are divided many times, making them look full and delicate. On the underside of the frond edges, you can see small brownish lines. These lines are called sori. They contain the fern's spores, which are like tiny seeds that help the fern reproduce.
Where it Grows
In Australia, you can find Pteris tremula in several areas. These include Central Australia (Northern Territory), eastern South Australia, Queensland, eastern New South Wales, and Victoria. It also grows in Tasmania.
Beyond Australia, this fern is found on Lord Howe and Norfolk Island. It also grows in New Zealand, the Kermadec Islands, and Fiji. It likes to grow in sheltered places. These include wet sclerophyll forests and rainforests. It has also started growing naturally in Argentina, near the Río de la Plata.
Growing this Fern
Pteris tremula is quite easy to grow in a home garden. It likes a spot that is mostly shady. The fern prefers soil that drains well but also stays a bit moist. It grows best with filtered morning sunlight.
This fern grows very quickly. It can even start growing in new places on its own. In the 1950s, it was a very popular Pteris fern to grow in the United States.
See also
In Spanish: Pteris tremula para niños
