Pteris wallichiana

Pteris wallichiana slowly spreads to make a tidy patch on woody underground upright rhizome. Dark brown stipes are two thirds of the entire frond length with dark brown scales at the base. At the highest point of the stipe the frond branches out in three directions, the outside branches fork again and the middle doesn’t and grows the longest. Fronds are twice pinnate and the pinnules are lobed but not cut to the midrib. Sori are born along the edge of the pinnules that are protected by false indusia typical of most Pteris. Pentagonal shape when seen from above. Looks similar to bracken fern.

Grows best and spreads faster in rich continuously moist organic soils but will tolerate limy, acidic or neutral soils. Will grow larger in tropical or warmer locations, heat tolerant. Protect from wind. Dormant in winter in northern regions cut back old fronds in late Autumn.
The specific epithet wallichiana honors Dr. Nathaniel Wallich. A Danish botanist and surgeon (1786-1854)