This fern has a short creeping rhizome with ascending fronds and forms a tufted habit. It has dark green deeply lobed fronds that are pinkish-red when young and produces spores on the underside of the fertile fronds during summer.

Hardiness zones 9 to 11 

Doodia caudata is naturally found in Australia from northern to southern Queensland, extending to New South Wales and is also endemic to Lord Howe Island, New Zealand and Polynesia. It grows in a variety of habitats such as open rocky sites or along creek banks in rainforest requiring a tropical to subtropical humid environment.  

It prefers a semi-shaded, wind protected position and grows in well drained sandy-stony soils that are reliably moist with frost and drought protection. 

The Small Rasp Fern is grown for its foliage and is planted in rockeries or around water features as a specimen plant. It is suitable for coastal and low mountain regions establishing in 3-4 years and is moderately long lived. It is also grown in ferneries as a potted plant and is suitable for damp gully plantings or used in a shaded courtyard. ID 2560

Doodia (DOO-dee-uh) caudata (kaw-DAH-tah)

Blechnaceae (blek-NAY-see-ee)