Flatfork Fern
Psilotum complanatum
- Native to:
- Australia, Bismarck Archipelago, Caroline Is., Colombia, Cook Is., Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Fiji, Guam, Hawaii, Honduras, Jamaica, Malaya, Maluku, Marianas, Mexico, New Guinea, Nicaragua, Nicobar Is., Palau, Peru, Philippines, Samoa, Santa Cruz Is., Society Is., Solomon Is., Sulawesi, Sumatera, Thailand, Tokelau-Manihiki, Tonga, United States, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Wallis-Futuna Is.
David Eickhoff (www.flickr.com) from Pearl City, Hawaii, USA
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Psilophyta | - Whisk-ferns
- Family:
- Psilotaceae
- Genus:
- Psilotum
- Species:
- Psilotum complanatum
- USDA Symbol:
- PSCO3
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 30 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, acidic, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 6.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- thrives in shaded, humid environments
Propagation & Germination
- Notes:
- Psilotum reproduces via spores, not seeds; spore germination requires mycorrhizal association and is rarely successful in cultivation.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI