Soft bracken facts for kids
Quick facts for kids False bracken |
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| False bracken at Chatswood West, New South Wales | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Calochlaena
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| Species: |
dubia
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| Synonyms | |
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Culcita dubia R.Br. |
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Calochlaena dubia, also known as soft bracken or false bracken, is a small Australian fern. You might also hear it called common ground fern or rainbow fern. It belongs to the treefern family, Dicksoniaceae. This fern is very common in Australia and often grows under eucalyptus trees, especially in poorer soils. It's also an easy plant to grow in a garden.
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Naming the False Bracken
This plant was first described in 1810 by a Scottish botanist named Robert Brown. He first named it Davallia dubia. Later, in 1988, it was given its current name when a new group, or genus, called Calochlaena was created.
The name Calochlaena comes from Ancient Greek words. Kalos means "beautiful" and chlaina means "cloak". This name refers to the soft, cloak-like hairs found on the fern. The second part of its name, dubia, is a Latin word meaning "dubious" or "doubtful". For many years, this fern was known as Culcita dubia before it was moved into the Calochlaena group.
It's important to know that Calochlaena dubia is not a "true" bracken. True bracken ferns belong to a different plant family called Dennstaedtiaceae.
What Does False Bracken Look Like?
The leaves of the false bracken, called fronds, grow from thick, brown, hairy underground stems called rhizomes. These fronds can be anywhere from 0.4 to 1.5 meters (about 1.3 to 5 feet) tall. The leaves are a yellowish-green color. This is different from the darker, shinier green of true bracken ferns (Pteridium esculentum).
The main stem of the frond, called the stipe, changes color. It can be dark brown, reddish-brown, or yellowish-brown. It is also covered with soft, brown hairs. The fronds have a triangular shape overall. They are divided many times, which botanists call "tripinnate-pinnatifid." The fern's spores, which help it reproduce, are found in small clusters called sori. These sori grow near the edges of the fronds.
Where Does False Bracken Grow?
Calochlaena dubia grows in eastern Australia. You can find it in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, and Tasmania. It usually grows as a smaller plant under taller trees in open forests and rainforests. Sometimes, it can spread out and form large groups or "banks" of ferns.
Growing False Bracken in Your Garden
False bracken is a great plant for gardens because it's very easy to grow. However, it can spread quickly! You might need to trim its underground stems (rhizomes) to keep it from taking over too much space. It grows well even in clay soils.
