This epiphytic or terrestrial fern has a long dark scaly creeping rhizome with erect to semi-pendent fronds and forms a clump. The leathery light green lanced-shaped fronds have a crocodile hide-like scale appearance and spores are produced during summer.

Hardiness zones 9 to 12

Microsorum musifolium iis naturally found from Indonesia to Malaysia and New Guinea growing in the forks of trees or on moist rocks and terrestrially on the rainforest or tropical evergreen forest floor at low altitudes. 

It prefers a shaded to semi shaded humid, wind protected position and grows in moist composted leaf mould that is collected by the fronds or in organic rich moist soil that is tending acidic. It is frost and drought tender, preferring a tropical climate.

The Crocodile Fern is a grown up for its striking foliage and clumping habit. It is grown on trees, rocks or in the ground in tropical settings or use around water features for foliage contrast. It is also grown in pots or tubs and in hanging baskets or on old tree fern trunks. 

It is suitable from coastal and low mountain regions and establishes in 3-4 years and is moderately long lived. This unusual fern is commonly grown in shade houses or under glass in cold regions and the foliage can be used in floral arrangements. Although it regarded as a rare in its natural habitat the plant it is commonly available through tissue culture and can be grown in a terrarium when young. ID 2557

Microsorum (mik-ro-SOR-um)  musifolium (mew-sih-FOH-lee-um)

Polypodiaceae (pol-ee-PODE-ay-see-ee)