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I have three plants in the greenhouse that I think might be Pyrrosia sheareri. The first of them came to me from China as Lepisorus bicolor.
As it grew it became cleasr that it was a Pyrrosia. Tracking down the species with confidence has been more challenging.
It has been easy in the greenhouse but not fast growing. It has slowly grown fron underground rhizomes to form a clump of upright, unbranched fronds.
After several years in the same pot, it responded very well to a partial compost change and some feed. The Hardy Fern Foundation say: "Pyrrosia sheareri fronds average 18 to 24 inches in length on a shallow short creeping rhizome. Young simple fronds are light green that are covered with stellate hairs. Mature fronds turn dark green with a lighter green stipe and midrib with a rusty underside. Sori without indusium are pale green when young. Spores are bright yellow and are produced in late winter to early spring in the pacific northwest. The spores should be sown when ripe and are slow to germinate. Better to divide mature plants for propagation. Plant in good draining humus rich soil in garden beds and in pots. Locate in dappled shade with occasional watering during the dry season. Grows on rocks and trees in its natural habitat. " Plants of the World online says: "The native range of this species is S.China to Vietnam, Taiwan. It is a rhizomatous geophyte or epiphyte and grows primarily in the temperate biome." The Flora of China says: "On tree trunks or rocks in forests beside streams; near sea level to 2500 m. Anhui, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hubei, Jiangxi, Sichuan, Taiwan, Yunnan, Zhejiang [Vietnam]." Apart from a little uncertainty about the name, this has been one of those plants that have amazing charm without any obvious characteristics to explain it. |
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| 23rd February 2006 | ||
