This spleenwort (fern) has a fleshy thick short creeping rhizome and forms a rosette of wide, light to dark green broad lanced-shaped fronds. It may be terrestrial or epiphytic preferring a drier shaded position and produces spores during summer.

Hardiness zones 10 to 12

Asplenium australasicum is naturally found in Australia from the central to the northern east coast of New South Wales to Queensland growing in trees as a epiphyte or on the floor of rainforests.

It prefers a humus rich moist well drained sandy soil but will tolerate drier conditions and grows in a semi shaded wind protected position and is frost and drought tender.

The Birds Nest Fern is grown for its large spreading fronds that form a vase like habit. It is a striking feature plant that is grown around a water feature or used in a rainforest setting and in shaded rockeries. It is also grown on trees or on moist rocks establishing in to 3-years. It is also grown as a container plant in a sheltered patio area or in a greenhouse. If grown under glass place in indirect well-lit area and apply weak liquid fertiliser monthly. ID 69

Asplenium`: from Greek a splene- not a spleen (A. adiantum-nigrum- black spleenwort - was thought to be a tonic for the spleen).

Asplenium(a-SPLAY-nee-um) australasicum (aw-stra-LAY-see-kum)

Dryopteridaceae(DRY-op-TER-ee-DAY-see-ee)