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Bolbitis heteroclita
This extremely variable fern exists in a confusing variety of forms. Their fronds may be simple, pinnate or bipinnate. Also, strong growing forms and dwarf forms are common. Furthermore, some forms of this fern look more like clumps of Italian Parsley.
This plant will grow on an epi-log, if it is kept permanently moist. It does grow into a better specimen if it has potting mixture that is rich in humus around the roots. Although, avoiding the use of chemical fertilisers is better, especially nitrogen.
This species can be found growing in large clumps on rocks, in the soil, or on trees in shady rainforest areas. It has a large natural area of growth. Distribution is from Japan to India, Indonesia, and New Guinea, also through the islands of the Philippines.
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The Mistletoe family is mostly parasitic. They vary from the common white Mistletoe or Viscum (used in pagan rituals and associated with Holly at Christmas) to the West Australian Christmas Tree, Nuytsia floribunda, which grows up to 12 metres (40 feet) high. Nevertheless, the plants below have all been recorded as epiphytes.
The leaves are opposite or in whorls and they have a perianth that is often large and showy.
Amyema.
A total of about 150 species can be found spread throughout tropical Africa, through Malaysia to Australia. A genus whose members are mostly parasitic but the two listed below are reported to be true epiphytes by Frances Bodkin in that magnificent horticultural work, the Encyclopaedia Botanica.
Amyema cambagei
An evergreen, shrubby plant with long, slender stems, and 10-centimetre (4-inch) long, terete leaves. The flowers are white and tubular appearing in the leaf axles in twos or threes. When the blooms have faded, they are followed by insignificant looking berries.
Found growing on Casuarina trees. These plants live in the temperate climate of New South Wales, Australia.
Amyema fasciculatum
This is a stout, shrubby plant with oval to oblong leaves of deep green. The tubular, reddish flowers sometimes have yellow tips, and when open they show the green inner surfaces of the petals.
A drought and frost tender plant that likes rich, well-drained soil and partial shade to keep this plant growing strongly.
Found growing as an epiphyte in the tropical rainforests of Java and the Philippines.
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This family is usually placed in two genera, but according to research on the gametophyte structure, the genera should probably be reclassified. Although often identified with ferns, it is not a true fern. The foliage is spirally arranged or rarely whorled with four fronds to each whorl. These fronds never form sheaths and the stems are never hollow, jointed or fluted. It has sporangia that is always borne in the axils of the vegetative fronds, or in cones that are round in cross section.
Lycopodium.
The genus has members that are terrestrial or epiphytic with two or more (depending on who did the research) subgenera. The plants listed below are from the subgenus urostachya, having upright to pendulous stems that are never creeping and rooting only at the base, often growing as true epiphytes. Although not true ferns, plants of the genus Lycopodium are usually termed fern allies, that is, plants that are similar to ferns but have important structural differences. Instead of having the spores on the back of the fronds as do ferns, the genus Lycopodium has spore cases packed into cones (known as strobili) on leafy spikes. In the genus Lycopodium there is about 100 species, but only the type commonly known as tassel ferns are epiphytic.
Use an open potting mixture. Epiphytic orchid mixture is fine as the roots love to cling to lumps of wood chips, charcoal or chunks of tree fern slab. This is important as it will allow the air to circulate around the roots. They will survive if sand is used, but the growth is very stunted. Galvanised metal damages the plant and can even kill it, so if a hanging basket is used, make it a none galvanised one. When handling, be careful not to bruise them as damaged tissue often kills the plant. A warm climate is enjoyed by these plants, but they will survive low temperatures if they have no frost. Keep in a shady place, inside a house is fine if they are not handled. Feed once a fortnight with half strength liquid fertilisers or fish emulsion in summer.
Lycopodium carinatum
Keeled Tassel Fern
The pendent stems branch profusely and grow up to 40-centimetres (16-inches) long. Small, narrow, pale green leaves are only 1.2-centimetres (1/2-inch) long. In addition, they are keeled and pointed. Similar to L. polytrichoides but the latter species has dark leaves that are not keeled.
This species is indigenous to the rainforests of the McIlwraith Range of Cape York Peninsular, Queensland, Australia.
Lycopodium dalhousianum
Blue Tassel Fern
This very coarse and attractive tassel fern has pendulous stems and is sparsely branching. These branches are arranged spirally, taper to a point and grow to 120-centimetres (47-inches) long.
Their natural home is in rainforest areas, in the north of the state of Queensland, Australia.
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This is a family of mostly woody plants with milky sap. Their main character difference is that their anthers and stigmas stay inside the bud. Moreover, their bud is also the fruit, which is pollinated by small wasps that lay their eggs inside this fruit. The maggots wander through the stamens and stigma lobes, pollinating the fruit as they move.
Ficus.
Eight hundred species make this is a large genus of trees, shrubs and climbers. Some climbing Ficus start life in the ground, later losing their terrestrial root system and continuing to grow with adventitious roots as an epiphyte. Occasionally the vine seed germinates high in trees, on the roots of epiphytes. The Strangler Figs also start life by seed being delivered by birds to the limb crotch of trees, or root systems of epiphytes where they wipe their beaks. The seed germinates and produces strong roots that envelop the trunk and grow down to the ground. This root system thickens and restricts the host tree’s development, finally killing it. Eventually, the host rots away, leaving a very large trunk of ficus roots with a hollow centre. For the first part of its life only, it is an epiphyte.
Germination of seed is a little unreliable unless it is voided after digestion by birds. Some strangler fig seeds lose their viability within a few weeks, if they are stored in the dark. The plants are easy to grow as they adapt to most soil types. Keep in a frost free environment and consider the ultimate size and speed of growth of these giants and the notorious root system that invade drains and lift the foundations of large buildings and roads.
Ficus aurea
Golden Fig
Strangler Fig
Often this tree spends its entire life as a terrestrial, but occasionally grows as a strangler. Its height can reach 18 metres (60 feet). Leaves are alternate, thick and elliptical growing to 10-centimetres (4-inches) long. Borne in the axils of these leaves are tiny, yellow figs.
Not often grown as they need a great deal of room in a tropical climate. Possibly the only way to grow them succesfully is as a bonsai.
Its natural habitat is from the West Indies to Florida, U.S.A.
Ficus baileyana
Although sometimes starting life producing strangler roots in the air and taking a strong grip of its host, it often starts life as a terrestrial plant with no aerial roots. This tall tree grows to 25 metres (82 feet) high, with a spread of up to 20 metres (66 feet) The smooth bark is grey-brown. With ovate leaves up to 14-centimetres (51/2-inches) long. They are dark glossy green above and covered with short white hairs beneath.
Only light frosts are tolerated by this species. They respond to fertilisers with profuse growth. Because of its size, growing it in a greenhouse is difficult, unless its growth is restricted by stunting as in bonsai. It can be used as a house plant when young.
This species is endemic to stream banks and rainforests of central and southeastern Queensland, Australia.
Ficus benghalensis
Banyan
For this strangler, life begins by the fruit being eaten by monkeys, birds or bats. The fruit is digested and the seed passes through the animal. It is then deposited on the branch of a host tree. Later, the seed germinates and the roots feed on organic matter lodged in the tree limb’s joints. In the humid conditions, the roots grow rapidly, encircling the host tree. As these roots thicken, they strangle the tree that nurtured it into life. Not only do the roots grow downwards, but the branches expand outwards. Aerial roots develop along the limbs, heading down to the earth to anchor themselves in the soil. At this stage it ceases to be an epiphyte. As a terrestrial plant, it continues to grow. It is always expanding outwards and dropping down new aerial roots. Finally it becomes a one tree forest. The banyan has large glossy mid-green leaves that are bronze when young, pale grey bark and round, red figs that are borne in the leaf joints in pairs.
This plant is too large for a small, private collection. Although it does form a good shade tree if we can keep it in bounds.
We can find this tree from tropical Africa to India. Furthermore, the largest tree can be found in Sri Lanka. It has 350 large trunks and 3,000 smaller ones. All the trunks are attached to the one parent tree. In Asia, in this trees natural habitat, the climate is hot and humid. In fact, the areas are usually influenced by monsoonal activity, at which time the rainfall is exceptionally heavy.
Ficus decaisnei
With age, this plant becomes bushy. Climbing and branching regularly, this epiphyte produces long, oval, fleshy leaves.
Making its home in rainforests, it is native to the tropical islands of the Philippines.
Syn. Ficus philippinensis.
Ficus superba
Sea Fig
Starting life as an epiphyte, this large deciduous shrub becomes a strangler. Occasionally growing to 30 metres (100 feet) once it has contacted the soil. The bark is smooth and grey with light green young shoots. Large, dull purple leaves are produced, these are ovate with acuminate apexes. Fruits are small, smooth and globular figs that are yellow to orange and mottled white.
As with all ficus, they can be easily grown in pots with a rich, organic soil, But they look better growing on a large piece of drift wood planted into a pot. A moist, frost free, outdoor environment is needed for this plant to survive, as it grows so large. It is not for the average collector.
This plant occurs in eastern Arnhem land, Northern Territory, and the Cape York Peninsula, Queensland, down the east coast to Nowra in New South Wales, Australia.
Ficus virens
Gray Fig
Spotted Fig
Java Willow
Strangler Vine
In its natural rainforest home it is a briefly deciduous strangler vine. Nevertheless, its live begins as an epiphyte with a very strong root system. After many years, the roots entwine its host and finely make contact with the earth. Popular-shaped leaves are alternate and grow to 15-centimetres (6-inches) long. At the branch tips, in the leaf axils, are the small, red spotted, white figs, these are produced in pairs.
Cultivated plants grow to about 15 metres (50 feet) and usually have a single trunk with a broad crown. Nevertheless they can be grown as epiphytes if light shade, warmth and moisture is provided.
Plants can be found growing from India to Northern Australia and the Solomon Islands.
Ficus watkinsiana
Cathedral Tree
This large Strangler Fig grows to 60 metres (200 feet) with a trunk 2 metres (80-inches) in diameter, and a dense crown. After the host tree has rotted away, the large, hollow trunk, formed by the aerial roots are given the common name of Cathedral Trees. The leathery leaves are usually elliptic with acuminate tips and long, slender petioles. The deep purple figs grow in pairs that are ovoid to oblong and 2 to 4-centimetres (3/4 to 19/16-inches) long, appearing in summer.
This giant plant is too large and rampant for most gardens, probably only suited to tropical national parks.
Its natural occurrence is from Gympie in Queensland, south to near Dungog in New South Wales, Australia.
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These plants are either herbs or shrubs that are usually climbing. The flowers in this family are unisexual. Also, their filaments are united into a column. They have pollen grains that are in groups of four.
Nepenthes.
These plants of the genus Nepenthes are usually climbers with roots directly in the soil, but some are true epiphytes. These unusual insectivorous plants are often collected for their curious pitchers that trap and devour insects as large as cockroaches. The pitcher is really an extension of the central vain of the leaf, which is adapted to catch and devour most insects that would normally devour the plant. As the pitchers start to develop, the lid is sealed tight and the inside is sterile, as it reaches maturity, the lid opens at an angle to keep out most of the rain. As insects crawl over the lip, they slip on the waxy surface on the inside and drown in the digestive juices. The bacterial odour of this dissolved insect soup is very disagreeable.
Nepenthes superba
Pitcher Plant
This plant has long, soft and leathery, deep green leaves. The tips of these leaves carry pendulous, variable shaped pitchers that are 15-centimetres (6-inches) long. Some pitchers are urn-shaped, later ones are funnel-shaped, the colours being yellowish-green blotches with a wine red and crimson, glossy, ribbed rim, inside spotted red, the lid striped red, fringed at the back with red hairs.
Constant moisture and warmth are needed by this tropical species. In cool climates it is best grown in a greenhouse with a little heat in winter. Provide filtered light for optimum growth.
It becomes a vigorous rambling epiphyte, growing in the monsoon forests of the eastern hemisphere.
Oleandraceae.
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This family of ferns is divided into three genera that may be epiphytic, climbing or terrestrial.
Arthropteris.
Members of the genus Arthropteris are small epiphytic or lithophytic climbers that are usually clump forming. Closely related to Nephrolepis.
Arthropteris beckleri
Long, strongly branching, and creeping rhizomes on this species are densely covered with hairlike scales. On these rhizomes, unfurl narrow fronds. These are up to 20-centimetres (8-inches) long, flat green, and pinnate. The pinna is coated with hairs and the upper margins are wavy.
Sometimes, these ferns are difficult to establish, so disturb as little as possible. Once growing it becomes easy. The roots seem to dislike soil type potting mixtures and grow better in a coarse orchid mixture. Also, protect this plant from cold weather and wind. They enjoy a shady, moist position and looks very attractive in a hanging container.
This slender fern forms mats on rocks and rainforest trees. It grows from northern Queensland to the south coast of New South Wales in Australia.
Arthropteris tenella
Growing from 35 to 60-centimetres (14 to 24-inches) high, this small fern has erect, bright green and shiny fronds. These are only 2 to 3-centimetres (3/4 to 11/4-inches) apart on a slender, branching rhizome.
As this species is a frost tender forest plant, try to provide a warm winter climate, and give it a shady, moist position.
This plant is native to Queensland and the coastal area of New South Wales, Australia. Also, it grows in New Zealand, Norfolk Island and Lord Howe Island.
Syn. Polypodium tenella.
Nephrolepis.
The plants of the genus Nephrolepis or Sword Fern are widely cultivated, epiphytic or terrestrial plants. Normally, this genus has long, narrow fronds. When old and dry, they fall off the rhizome. Collectively, they have about thirty species.
This genus can tolerate either dull or bright light intensities. If grown in a container, use a moist potting mixture but never leave standing in water.
Nephrolepis bisserata
Broad Sword Fern
Fronds mostly grow in a close spiral, on short, upright growing stems. Usually, they are more than 1 metre (40-inches) high. When terrestrial, they rapidly spread through the ground by root buds. In a hanging container or on a tree, they are more controlled and form attractive clumps.
This species grows easily in tropical areas, but grow indoors or in a greenhouse in areas where frosts are experienced.
This is a species that grows in the tropical rainforests of northern Queensland, Australia.
Syn. Nephrolepis ensifolium.
Nephrolepis cordifolia
Herringbone Fern
Fishbone Fern
Sword Fern
The rhizomes are short, erect and clothed with shiny brown scales. Furthermore, the plants have long, thin, creeping stolons that bear globular buds from which the plant spreads. The dull, grey-green fronds are upright or slightly arching. Each growing to 1 metre (40-inches) tall and pinnately divided.
They adapt to most climates, dry or moist atmosphere, full sun, shade and most soils. We can grow them easily in a hanging container, as an indoor plant or as an epiphyte. Often, they are seen growing on palm trees, especially Phoenix canariensis. It can be found growing on the trunk and through the crown.
This species can be found in warm-temperate to tropical areas. Their natural home is in Australia, New Guinea, Indonesia, Malaysia, Kalimantan and Sumatra.
Cultivar Duffii has the common name of Duffs Sword Fern. This cultivar grows less than 30-centimetres (12-inches) high.
We can find this fern growing in the moist tropics. In cool climates grow indoors or in a greenhouse in winter.
Cultivar Plumosa has a frond colour that is darker green than the natural species and the tips of each pinna are cut to give a feathery look.
Nephrolepis exaltata
Florida Wild Fern
Fishbone Fern
This plant produces long, thin stolons that root down at the tips to form new plants. In addition, individual new plants grow from stolons, and form a dense tuft of foliage. Also, they have long, triangular fronds, each growing to 120-centimetres (48-inches) long.
They are at their finest in a large hanging container. Nevertheless, growing it in the open garden is easy, providing it is free of frost. Provide shade, moisture and a fast draining potting mixture.
The natural habitat of this terrestrial or epiphyte is warm-temperate to subtropical Florida, United States of America.
Cultivar Bostoniensis carries the common name of Boston Fern. It has fronds that range from pinnately divided to five times pinnately divided, looking very fine and feathery. Not as stable as we would want, as it sometimes starts to revert to the natural species, should this reversion occur, the offending part should be removed immediately.
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Oleandra.
About forty species exist of this evergreen fern. Grow in a warm, moist atmosphere with moderate shade. Potting mixtures, if used, should be very open and moist.
Oleandra cummingii
Stilt Fern
The Stilt Fern has a stout rhizome that is upright growing. This rhizome produces simple fronds.
Found growing on rocks, in the soil and on trees in the tropical rainforests of northern Queensland, Australia.
Oleandra nodosa
This plant has long, creeping, brown and scaly rhizomes and glossy, bright green fronds.
It is an epiphyte that grows in the tropical rainforests of the West Indies.
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Mostly, these plants are either herbs or shrubs, occasionally small trees, with floral parts in 4's. In this family the petals are separate, the stamens are up to twice as many as the petals (or sepals), with their anthers dehiscing longitudinally. Also, the ovary is inferior. (4; 4; 8; 4).
Fuchsia.
Few people realize that some natural species of fuchsias are often epiphytic in nature. The larger flowered American species inhabit areas of very high rainfall, some species surviving as both terrestrials and epiphytes.
Fuchsia arborescens
Lilac Fuchsia
Tree Fuchsia
This is a large, erect evergreen shrub or small tree. Although, as an epiphyte, it is usually a short, stocky, strongly branched shrub, with narrow, eliptic, and dark green leaves. This foliage is either opposite or in threes. In summer, it produces small, rose-purple flowers with long tubes. These are usually produced in large, fragrant clusters, giving an attractive display.
Because of the altude where this plant grows, it is marginally frost hardy, but needs a wind protected area, and a warm, moist atmosphere to grow well.
The natural home of this plant is in Mexico and central America, where it is found in montane forests, growing as a terrestrial or epiphyte on bolders and trees.
Syns. Fuchsia arborea, and Fuchsia syringaeflora.
Fuchsia microphylla subsp. Hemsleyana
Mostly this is a shrubby plant that can grow to 3 metres. Its branches are usually white, and covered with short, soft, and downy hair. The leaves are mostly elliptic, green, and with a serrate edge. In summer, the flowers appear, they are red to purplish-red with reflexed sepals, and a short perianth tube that may be completely hairless or densely covered with short, soft, downy hair.
When potting this plant, a well-drained potting mixture is important. Also, trim the branches back regularly to form a compact bush.
In its natural habitat, ranging from Costa Rica to Panama, this plant grows in the montane forests. Furthermore, it is found as a terrestrial or epiphyte, sometimes discovered growing on rocks.
Fuchsia splendens
The young branches on this shrub may be with or without hairs, however, at maturity, it sheds red-brown bark. Mostly the leaves are opposite, but sometimes with three circulating the branch (ternate), Each is ovate to cordate with an acute to acuminate tip, and serrate margins. At the base of the leaves they are rounded, giving them a heart-shaped appearance. Also, the underside of the leaf is paler, and often flushed red, especially on the veins. Flowers are small with broad tubes and short, green sepals and olive-green petals. Each bloom on this shrub hangs from a spreading to pendent flower-stem.
Care should be taken to keep the potting mixture open and well drained. Also, it is only marginally frost-hardy, so protection from very cold weather would make a difference.
Montane areas from Mexico to Costa Rica are the native habitats of this epiphyte. In this area the nights are cool and the days are warm and moist for most of the year.
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This family has upright, fleshy rhizomes with one fertile spike or panicle rising from the stipe. They have sporangia measuring approximately 1 millimetre (1/24-inch) across.
Ophioglossum pendulum
Ribbon Fern
The pendent, ribbon-like fronds are deep green and 90-centimetres (351/2-inches) long.
A drought and frost tender species that needs shade and wind protection. Not a true fern as the common name suggests.
This species can be found in moist areas of Queensland and New South Wales, Australia, also in the Pacific and Indian Ocean tropics.