Hawai'I Birdnest Fern
Asplenium nidus
- Native to:
- Australia, Bismarck Archipelago, Borneo, Caroline Is., Christmas I., Guam, Hawaii, Jawa, Lesser Sunda Is., Malaya, Maluku, New Guinea, Philippines, Solomon Is., Sulawesi, Sumatera, U.S. Minor Outlying Islands, United States
Obsidian Soul
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Pteridophyta | - Ferns
- Family:
- Aspleniaceae
- Genus:
- Asplenium
- Species:
- Asplenium nidus
- USDA Symbol:
- ASNI
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 150 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
Wildlife Benefits
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- epiphytic habitat for invertebrates, small vertebrates
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.0 - 6.5 (slightly acidic)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- prefers high humidity environments
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 14–90 days
- Notes:
- Spores require warm humid conditions and indirect light. Surface sow on sterile medium; germination can be erratic and slow.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI