This evergreen fern has a erect rhizome that forms a short trunk with ascending-spreading foliage. It has glossy dark green divided fronds with oblong leaflets that are tinged pink-red when young and the fertile fronds produce spores during summer.

Hardiness zones 9 to 12

Didymochlaena truncatula is naturally found from tropical and subtropical Africa to Madagascar, Thailand, Fiji and tropical America growing in deeply shaded moist positions in the understory of wet evergreen forests commonly along water courses at an altitude from 274 m (900 ft) to 1,800 m (5,905 ft).

It prefers a semi-shaded to shaded wind protected humid position and grows in well drained, moist organic rich sandy to clay loam that is tending acidic and is drought and frost tender.

Mahogany Fern is grown for its erect habit with spreading attractive reddish new foliage. It is planted in parks and gardens along shaded borders or in gullies and in the understory of a woodland setting. It is also grown in tropical gardens, commonly around water features or amongst mossy rocks.

It is suitable for coastal and low-mountain regions and establishes in 2-3 years and is moderately long-lived. In cold regions it is grown as a glasshouse or conservatory specimen and is suitable for large pots or tubs. ID 2287

Didymochlaena (did-ee-moh-KLAY-ee-nuh) truncatula (TRUN-kah-TOO-lah)

truncatula: cut or straight, referring to the square shaped pinnule apices.

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