Unknown hitchhiker fern

[manders 612]

Can anyone help i'd this fern, its been growing in my terrarium, must have hitchhiked as a spore from maybe thailand.

Edited February 25, 2012 by manders

[johns 4]

I think it's a species of Microsorum, but I can't say which one.

[gardenofeden 244]

I have the same one, I thought it was Polypodium aureum

[Sebulon 8]

It looks pretty nice! Very exotic. I wish my hitchikers were something else than Drosera capensis or Utricularia subulata.

[johns 4]

I think you're right, I initially discounted it because all the Phlebodium (where P. aureum is now placed) I've seen have had greyish green leaf blades. (It might be a different Phlebodium though, best to check all of the similar-looking species to get a correct ID.)

[manders 612]

Thanks guys, guess thats close enough, distinguishing different species is going to be beyond me.

[An D Smith 2]

Hi Manders

Phlebodium aureum it is, and a nasty, invasive weed it is too! The frond in your first picture is a fertile, spore-producing frond, and one I would remove, unless you want it sprouting ALL over your plants. It will eventually get huge and multiply very rapidly. Having a plant of this in my greenhouse a few years ago was the worst mistake I ever made.

Cheers

Andy

[manders 612]

Hi Manders

Phlebodium aureum it is, and a nasty, invasive weed it is too! The frond in your first picture is a fertile, spore-producing frond, and one I would remove, unless you want it sprouting ALL over your plants. It will eventually get huge and multiply very rapidly. Having a plant of this in my greenhouse a few years ago was the worst mistake I ever made.

Cheers

Andy

Thanks for the warning Andy! Bit of a dilemma now because i quite like this fern, anyway its in a terrarium so ill risk it for a while and see how it goes...