Angiopteris evecta

Marattiaceae

Angiopteris evecta (G.Forst.) Hoffm.

Link to Australian Plant Name Index for publication details and synonyms: https://id.biodiversity.org.au/name/apni/91693

Fronds to 5 m or more long, arching. Stipe to 2 m long, up to two-thirds of leaf length, ±smooth. Lamina 2-pinnate, deltoid, to 3.2 m long and 2.5 m wide. Pinnae ±linear-lanceolate, alternate, c. 9 pairs, to 150 cm long and 45 cm wide. Pinnules 29–40 pairs, opposite to subopposite, sometimes becoming alternate towards pinna apex, to 30 cm long and 2 cm wide, ±parallel-sided; base unequal to cuneate; margins scarcely serrulate; apex long-acuminate and more strongly toothed. Sori submarginal, with 10–15 sporangia.

NE QLD from McIlwraith Range to Eungella. Also SE QLD, Asia, Malesia and Pacific Islands.

Terrestrial, usually on banks and watercoarses in mesic vine forest.

This fern has the largest fronds of any Australian species. It maintains erect fronds by water turgor. When dehydrated the fronds flop on the ground.

This is a commonly cultivated ornamental fern in tropical, subtropical and temperate areas. It is easy to cultivate in a large container or in the ground placed either in a shadehouse or in a semi-shaded moist part of the garden. It can be propagated by the division of auricles or from spore using specialist techniques. It must be kept moist year round to maintain an attractive specimen. It quickly outgrows most greenhouse situations.

Similar to Marattia oreades but easily identified by differences in the structure of the synangium - see images.