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List of Families
This family of ferns have the sporangia born on the elongated receptacles, in cups or tubes on the frond margins. These fronds are extremely delicate and filmy as they are only one cell thick. They grow from rhizomes that are fine and hairlike, only 1 millimetre (1/24-inch) or less in thickness.
Because of their delicate nature, this group of ferns likes a moist atmosphere and a very open potting mixture, if any, so water will not stagnate around the roots.
Apteropteris.
The problem with this small genus is that is not easy to grow in cultivation. For instance, it requires a moist, cool atmosphere and moving air so the dampness never stagnates around the plant.
Apteropteris applanata
Skeleton Filmy Fern
Long wiry rhizomes creep over their host’s bark in patches. From these rhizomes, unfurl delicate fronds. Due to the dense hairs on the surface, these are grey or rusty brown.
If possible, provide a cool, moist atmosphere. A large, humid fernery is usually the most suitable.
Clumps are formed on the trunks of Banksia and Athrotaxis (Tasmanian Pine) and occasionally in rock crevices. They can only be found in cold-temperate rainforests, often at a high altitude in the state of Tasmania, Australia.
Cardiomanes reniforme
Kidney Fern
Large patches are formed with this fern, as it grows in compact groups. On the very slender creeping rhizomes are evenly spaced fronds. These unusual fronds make this attractive fern such a favourite. Each unfolds at the end of a long stipe. Revealing a pale green, kidney-shaped and translucent disk, with a very visible network of veins.
When we grow them in a container, the potting mixture should be fibrous and open to allow very good drainage. Preferably, these plants can be grown in a hanging container such as a basket or epi-log as this keep them safe from slugs and snails. Shady, moist, humid conditions are also important to this plant.
New Zealand is the natural home of this species. It grows in large areas on trees and rocks in moist, shady places.
Crepidomanes.
A genus of small mat forming ferns with upright growing, shiny green fronds that range from pinnate to tripinnate.
Crepidomanes kurzii
Slender winged rhizomes on this plant produce erect, lobed fronds. These are dark green and irregular in shape.
Pot culture is easy, provided it is given a coarse potting mixture. In addition, maintain shade and high humidity.
Usually, this plant is found growing as an epiphyte along with moss and lichen. The plant is so small it is easily overlooked. It can be found growing over a large area of lowland, tropical rainforests to the montane rainforests of northeastern Queensland, Australia.
Crepidomanes walleri
On this fern, the wiry, creeping rhizomes produce upright growing fronds. At the base of the fronds it has shortly winged stipes. Although the dark green fronds are pinnate, they are of irregular shape.
These plants depend upon constant high humidity and shade. If grown in a pot, use a coarse potting mixture.
It can be found growing on rocks and trees in moist areas. Usually, this is along river banks and on rainforests trees. Each plant covers a large area of its host. Its natural home is in state of Queensland, Australia.
Hymenophyllum cupressiforme
Common Filmy Fern
This small filmy fern grows in dense mats of wiry rhizomes, branching abundantly. The delicate fronds are dark green and grow from 2 to 9-centimetres (3/4 to 39/16-inches) long on very thin stalks, usually bipinnate.
Although able to stand cold weather, they must be kept moist and shaded in a protected area.
Dense mats of these plants are formed on tree trunks and sheltered rock surfaces. They occur in rainforests and on trees near shady, moist river banks. We can find them from the coastal area of southern Queensland, through New South Wales and Victoria, down to Tasmania, Australia.
Hymenophyllum flabbelatum
Shiny Filmy Fern
Very slim, wiry rhizomes that are long and creeping help to shape this delicate epiphyte. The long, arching fronds are pale green, thin and delicate, but growing up to 35-centimetres (14-inches) long and 5-centimetres (2-inches) wide.
It grows in the subtropical and temperate rainforests of southern Queensland and New South Wales down to Victoria and Tasmania.
Hymenophyllum tunbridgense
Filmy Fern
>From tough, wiry stems, grow delicate fronds only one cell thick. These long, cascading fronds fork repeatedly. The veins are quite prominent and do not quite reach the frond tip. On these fronds develop the sori, which are enclosed in a pair of scales with toothed margins.
Although this filmy fern is hardy to frost, it must have a constantly moist atmosphere in its habitat.
This plant grows over a wide area of western Britain. Its northerly limit is the Isle of Skye. Occasionally, although rarely today, it can also be found in Sussex. Nevertheless, it is now extinct in Kent, possibly because of collectors. We can find this plant on tree trunks and rocks in very moist areas.
Mecodium demissum
A small fern, less than 30-centimetres (12-inches) high. Having very thin fronds emerging from the creeping and branching rhizomes, each frond is 2 to 7-centimetres (3/4 to 23/4-inches) apart.
Grow in moist tropical areas or in a moist greenhouse.
Syn. Hymenophyllum demissum.
Polyphlebium venosum
Veined Bristle Fern
A small fern with long, creeping, and multiple branched rhizomes, covered with red-brown hairs. From these rhizomes, pendulous fronds unfold that are pale green and translucent, growing from 3 to 15-centimetres (13/16 to 57/8-inches) long. These fronds are pinnately divided, having from two to nine pairs of irregularly lobed pinna.
Found growing on tree trunks, fallen logs and tree ferns. It can be found from the tablelands and coastal areas of southeastern Queensland, down through New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania, Australia.
First Page
List of Families
Lichens are fugus and alga plants living in a symbiotic relationship. Giving shape to the lichen, is the fungus, which forms the outside shell. Inside are strands of mycelium, (fungus threads). Among the threads of mycelium are green or blue-green algae, generally single cell forms. When free from the fungus, the algae may exist normally. Although they live a lot longer when they grow in a symbiotic relationship with the fungus. The fungal component of the lichen cannot live separately from the alga.
Many of these plants take the shape of a leaf, lying flat on the host’s bark. Other types of lichen may grow upright, or tumble downwards. Sometimes, they are just plane shrubby. Colours range from green to grey-green, shades of yellow, red, brown and grey.
Often, these plants are cleaned off fruit trees, as many orchardists consider them as parasitic plants. This, of course, is not true. The same plants that grow on trees can often be seen growing on rocks and fencing. Many are a good indication of clean air. When the air is polluted with smog, many types die.
Most of these plants can be removed safely from their host. Take a thin slither of bark from under the holdfast at the base of the lichen. With a spot of wood glue, this can be attached to an epi-log. These plants often grow and multiply when transplanted, provided the weather conditions do not alter. Although the outer part of the plant is a fungus, light is necessary for the alga on the inside to produce food. Most cool climate species enjoy some full sun and grow quicker in winter on deciduous trees.
Alectoria
This plant grows in groups, hanging from trees like long matted hair. At the base of the plant is a small holdfast of which the stem grows out, branching repeatedly.
Alectoria fuscescens
Smooth, shiny threadlike branches form a bushy, hanging plant. Colours range from greyish-brown to brownish-black. On the surface of the branches, small scattered patches of pale yellow or green reproductive granules (soredia) can usually be found.
Although this plant is common on trees in the north of Britain, it is also occasionally found in the south. We can find it on trees, rocks and old fences.
Anaptychia ciliaris
Giving the appearance of lace, this plant has long, narrow, greenish-grey lobes that become brownish-grey as the surface dries out. Also, these thin lobes are edged with long hairs that form a fringe. The circular reproduction areas are large, and have dark brown, almost black disks in the centre. Also, these reproduction areas are fringed with long, attractive hairs.
This beautiful plant can be found on trees, rocks and occasionally in the ground. They are natives of Britain.
Cetraria chlorophylla
Although it is a smaller species than Cetraria glauca, it is just as beautiful with its crispate lobe margins. Above and below the lobes are light brown. Developing along the edge is powdery-white soredia.
Commonly seen around Britain, growing on trees and rocks.
Cetraria glauca
At the base of the broad, thin lobes, strong threads attach this species to its host. Away from the base of the lobes, they have a wavy, crispate appearance, similar to Parsley. On the upper surface it is grey with a bluish tinge. The under surface is brown, smooth, and glossy. However, where the lobes are attached to the host, they become black. Many rod-shaped outgrowths give them a decorative fringe, sometimes with greyish-white powdery soredia.
Growing naturally on trees and rocks, this plant is common throughout Britain.
Variety fallax is completely white underneath and its natural home is in Scotland.
Evernia
Similar in many ways to Ramalina, this genus differs by having no green on the undersurface. Also, the disc-like reproduction areas are rare.
Evernia furfuracea
This bushy, seaweed-like plant divides prolifically at the apex. Although almost flat, the edges of the branches curl under slightly, gently rounding the top surface. This dark grey upper surface has bristle-like outgrowths. Nevertheless, the undersurface is either dull black or mottled black and grey.
Native to Europe, this plant grows on rocks, trees and shrubs.
Syn. Parmelia furfuracea.
Evernia prunastri
Mousse de Chêne
Forking frequently, this plant becomes very bushy. Individual branches are similar in shape to elk’s horns. Moreover, these branches are many and form a circle. Upper surfaces of this species are greenish-grey and covered with corrugations. On these corrugations, patches of soredia are often found. The under surface of the branch is white. As the leaves grow and twist, they reveal the white portions and look most attractive.
When dried and ground, this lichen can be used as a fixative in Potpourri, as it holds the perfume of the essential oil.
Commonly found growing on trees, this epiphyte is found all over the European continent.
Hypogymnia
Air spaces inside the flat stems, between the upper and lower surfaces make this genus different from any other genera. This gives it a bloated, pillow-like appearance. Furthermore, they are not attached by threadlike growths from the lower surface to the bark. Instead, the underside of the leaf is attached directly. Accordingly, when removing them, a slice of bark must be taken, or the plant stem will tear.
Hypogymnia physodes
Branching frequently, the lobes grow from the centre, forming a cushion-like structure. When this smooth, pale-grey-green plant matures, it occasionally produces trumpet-shaped structures with a brownish-red centre. These formations are for producing the reproduction spores. The undersurfaces of the lobes are black in the centre, but brown at the perimeter.
We can find this species growing on the trunks of trees. Its place in nature is in the north and west of Britain.
Form elegans has narrow branching, grey-green lobes that are incurved at the tips. This reveals the darker underside. As a result, it gives the plant a lace-like, graceful appearance.
Mostly found on moors and heaths; it can be located growing mainly on heather twigs.
Hypogymnia tubulosa
Tubular lobes on this plant grow upright and branch prolifically. The whole plant has an inflated appearance. Ball-like greyish-white soredia appears at the terminal end of the tubular lobes. Underneath, the plant is dark brown or black, it is this area that attaches to the tree trunk or twig.
They are commonly found in the north and west of Britain, growing as epiphytes.
Parmelia acetabulum
Low, flat, and spreading, this species has branches that grow horizontally over the host to form a disc shape. New branches, appearing from the centre, overlap the base of the older ones, forming a cushion-shape. All branches are broad and flat, dividing into deeply serrated lobes. These are brownish-green in colour, and dull and wrinkled when dry, although when wet they are shiny, with an oil-like surface.
Its natural habitat is in the eastern part of Britain and central Europe.
Parmelia caperata
This large, flat species has yellow-green, spreading lobes. In the centre is the coarse, yellow-green, powdery soredia. In the soredia, are the large, spore producing cups with reddish-brown discs in the centre.
These are common in the south of Britain. Often, they reach a large size on old trees and rocks.
Parmelia exasperatula
Growing mostly on twigs, this epiphyte hugs the surface of its host. Often, this plant spreads completely around the twig as though it evolved from a liquid. The surface is peppered with small wart-like mounds with an open top, as though they had popped. Also, this plant is coloured dark brown or yellowish-brown and has a glossy surface.
The natural home of this species is in Britain.
Parmelia laevigata
Deeply serrate lobes branch and fork to produce this beautiful lichen. Their light grey lobes are often truncated at the tips. Large, round gaps develop between the branches, forming a very open structure. Masses of white, powdery soredia may develop on many lobe tips.
Large patches can be found on many trees in the south and west of Britain.
Parmelia saxatilis
Crottle
On the bark of trees, flat, grey rosettes are formed. These rosettes are made up of fan-shaped lobes that spread out over the surface. Each lobe has a network of fine white lines on the surface, and has a lighter coloured edge. In addition, older plants have small, rod-like growths in the centre.
Common on trees and rocks, the natural habitat of this species is at low altitudes in Britain.
Parmelia subaurifera
Very similar in growth to Parmelia exasperatula, as it also attaches itself to twigs and covers their surface. Although dull, the surface is yellow-brown with small wart-like protuberances. Nevertheless, these wart-like lumps do not have an open top, instead, they have powdery yellowish-white soredia, congregating in groups.
We can find this plant growing in Britain and Europe.
Parmelia subrudecta
On this species the small, rounded lobes are grey-green on the upper surface. On the new lobes, the borders often turn upwards to reveal their pale brown undersurface. White powdery soredia forms in groups on the older parts of the lobes.
This plant is common on the trees in the south of Britain. However, the further north we travel, the more uncommon it becomes.
Parmelia sulcata
Similar in growth to Parmelia saxatilis, This species has larger and more open lobes that form the rosette. Instead of having rod-like growths in the centre, it has white, powdery soredia. These reproductive parts develop on the surface vein network.
This plant is common on trees in Britain, and very common in the south and east of England.
Parmeliella plumbea
Soft, flat, roundish patches are formed by this plant. Its nodes are long and narrow, but overlap like a spreading hand of playing cards. Horizontal corrugations occur across the margins of the lobes. Furthermore, the centre of the plant has a granular texture to the surface. In the centre, are reddish-brown reproduction discs. In contrast to the brown discs, the lobes are bluish green when wet. However, they are bluish-grey when the surface is dry.
We can find these plants growing on trees and occasionally rocks. Their natural habitat is in the west and north of Britain.
Physcia aipolia
Lobes on this plant grow flattened to the surface of their host’s bark. Forming a grey-green rosette, these narrow, branching lobes are dusted with tiny white dots. In the centre of their doughnut-shaped reproduction area is a disc. When young, this disk is covered with a fine white powder. As it matures, the disc becomes very dark brown or black.
This epiphyte grows on the bark of trees in Britain.
Physcia leptalea
Lying flat on the surface of its host, this plant has grey lobes that branch profusely. Minute, white dots are speckled over its soft, velvety upper surface. Also, thin root-like threads from the undersurface attach the lichen to its host. Pale brown, long hairs form a meagre fringe around their lobes. In the centre of the lichen, on mature lobes are the reproduction parts. These are oval, bowl-shaped structures with grey margins. In the centre of these bowls are reddish-brown discs.
Mostly, this plant is found on trees, but occasionally it is found on rocks. Its natural habitat is in Britain.
Physcia pulverulenta
Colours in this species of lichen vary considerably from silver-grey to greenish-brown. Its shape is flat, following the contours of its host tree’s bark. Short, fibrous threads attaching the plant to the bark. Forming a flattened rosette are the blunt tipped lobes. These are broad and curl up at the tips. Each gives the impression of being dusted with fine powder. The reproduction area resembles tiny doughnuts that become dark brown to black when they mature.
Plants are found mostly on trees, but occasionally on rocks in Britain.
Variety venusta has no fine powder on the margins of its reproduction area. Also, these reproduction areas develop leafy lobes.
Ramalina
Strap-like stems on this genus give them the appearance of seaweed. Often, the soredia develops on disk-shaped structures, that look like suckers. However, some species have patches of soredia on the sides of the lobes. This type of soredia looks like flour.
Ramalina calicaris
Erect growth on this plant looks like well-branched seaweed. The long edges of these branches curl inwards to form a shallow channel running along their length. Also, the surface is often irregularly pitted with small circular openings. These lobes are shiny and coloured pale grey green. Along the upper part of the lobes are sucker-like discs. Each is pale flesh coloured, with a greenish tinge, growing on short stalks.
We can find this species growing throughout Britain. It is more common in the south, and can be found on the coast, close to the beach.
Ramalina farinacea
Narrow, grey-green, seaweed-like branches form dense tufts on the host plant’s trunk and twigs. On the margins are white, powdery soredia growing in small, oval patches.
Native to Britain, this epiphyte grows on trees and shrubs.
Ramalina fastigiata
Comparable in many ways to Ramalina calicaris but the branches are shorter and not channelled. Also, this plant branches less. At the ends of the branches are many disc-shaped reproduction areas.
Common on trees and shrubs, this plant has its natural homeland in Britain.
Ramalina fraxinea
Always growing upside-down, this plant looks like seaweed nailed to a tree. Branches develop into broad ribbons 10-centimetres (4-inches) long. Coloured dark grey-green, the flat stems have a heavily wrinkled surface perforated with slots. From the surface and sides of these stems grow sucker-like discs on short stalks.
Teloschistes
Often this species resembles coloured coral, forming small, round, heavily branching clumps. Usually, they grow on the upper parts of the host tree’s limb.
Teloschistes flavicans
Oval, slender branches are either upright or sagging on this plant, giving a very shrubby appearance. Although usually golden yellow, they are sometimes tinted with orange.
The natural home of this epiphyte is Britain. Most commonly it can be found in the west of the island, near the coast.
Usnea
All species have long, hanging stems attached to their host by a circular holdfast. They are densely branching and becoming matted with age.
Usnea articulata
Cascading downwards, this plant has soft, polished branches. Older branches have swollen and constricted areas down their length, looking like macabre joints on frogs legs.
Often, this epiphyte is seen in the west of England. Nevertheless, it can also be found in other parts of Britain.
Usnea ceratina
At first, this plant grows erect. Then, as it matures, it hangs downwards. Lobes on this plant are bluish-grey-green, four sided, and stiff. On the sides of these stems, they have white, powdery soredia and wart-like, or smooth, cylindrical growths.
Sandwiched between the upper and lower surfaces of the lobes, is a layer with a rose-pink tint.
These plants can be found growing on trees in many parts of England and Wales. Also, it is present in Scotland and Ireland but in lesser numbers.
Usnea filipendula
This plant is similar to Usnea ceratina, both in colour and adult shape. Nevertheless, this plant is never found growing erect. Differing also in the soredia, as inside these reproductive parts are found rod-like cylindrical structures.
Although rare in England and Wales, this plant is common in the north of Scotland.
Usnea florida
Upright and branching, this grey-green species has cup-like growths on the end of its branches. Although rare on species of Usnea, these cup-like growths are spore producing structures. Each resembles a spent seed case, which gives it an added attraction. They are pale yellow on the top, with thick long trichomes around their margins.
This epiphyte often grows in the open or in hedgerows. It is very common in the West of England, but can be found in other areas.
Usnea fuscescens
This beautiful red Lichen grows mostly erect, but with age some branches bend downwards. White patches on the stems contain the soredia. We can also find small wart-like outgrowths.
Commonly found on trees in England and Wales.
Usnea subfloridans
Mostly, this plant is found growing erect, but on older plants the branches also grow downwards, forming knotty bundles. These branches are dark greenish grey, with white patches containing the powdery soredia. Among these reproductive structures are rod-like growths.
Commonly, this plant is found in woodlands growing as a true epiphyte, but can be found on rocks. Habitats for this species are common in England and Wales.
First Page
List of Families
Lindsaea.
Most of the two hundred species of this fern are terrestrial. However, the genus has been divided into two well-defined subgenera. Members of the subgenus Lindsaea are terrestrial plants, but the subgenus Odontoloma has long, creeping rhizomes, and are epiphytic. So, is worthy of a place in this e-book.
Subgenus Odontoloma.
Lindsaea repens
The long, creeping rhizomes are narrow and wiry and the scales are persistent.
In its natural habitat it lives on rainforest trees in northern Queensland, Australia.
Lindsaea pulchella
This species is very similar to L. repens, but has deciduous scales and even thinner rhizomes.
It is also found growing on trees in the rainforest areas of northern Queensland, Australia.
First Page
List of Families