Propagation
Place spores on sterilised sphagnum or peat moss then cover with glass, keep moist for 4 to 6 weeks maintaining a temperature of 16ş C (61ş F), with indirect light until the prothallus appears.

Divide rhizomes in to lengths during spring and seal wounds to prevent fungal infection. Plant upwards in well drained moist soil, apply bottom heat.
Cleanliness is essential during the process.


Botanic information
Leaf: The mid-green fronds are almost orbicular in outline up to 475 mm (18 in) across and are forked into 2-branches, each with 4-12 pinnate pinnae and the dark red brown stipe is slender. The almost rectangular pinnules are cut or lobed almost to the midrib and are arranged alternately along the blackish rachis.

Flower: The fertile fronds produced 4-6 sori along the veins on the underside of the fertile pinnae and have a false indusia. They appear from late spring to summer.

Fruit: The spores are produced in the sporangium during the sporophyte stage of the fern life cycle in rows on the back of the fertile pinnae. The spores are very small (like fine dust) and are released from the sori when mature and dispersed by wind or water.