This fern has a long creeping wiry rhizome that is covered in brown scales. The spreading umbrella-like fronds are shiny dark green and are held erect on stiff stems. It commonly forms large colonies in moist gullies as an understorey plant. 

Hardiness zones 8 to 12 

Sticherus flabellatus is naturally found growing in damp situations from New Caledonia to down the east coast of Australia and New Zealand. It grows in damp to boggy sandy-peaty loams in a semi-shaded to full sun protected position and is frost tolerant but is drought tender.

The Umbrella Fern it is grown for its foliage and clumping habit. It is planted along watercourses in damp gully settings or as an understorey filler plant in rockeries or garden borders. It is also used as container or as a specimen in a fernery. It establishes from division in 2 to 3 years. It is not commonly available in nurseries but grows widely along the coast. ID 1252

Sticherus (STIK-her-us) flabellatus (flab-el-LAT-us)

Gleicheniaceae (gly-KEN-ee-AY-see-ee)