Scientific Name: Nephrolepis cordifolia

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  • Pronunciation:
    neph-row-LEEP-iss cor-dee-FOAL-ee-ah
  • Common Name:
    Fishbone Fern
  • Type:
    Fern ,
  • Family:
    NEPHROLEPIDACEAE
  • Status:
    WEED This introduced plant has escaped into local bushland. Without natural predators to keep it in check, it is out-competing native species.
  • Flowers:
    Ferns do not have flowers or fruit but produce spores on the backs of their leaves throughout the year.
  • Species List:
    Weyba Esp, Noosa's Worst Weeds, NNP Parkedge/Alex, Banana, Old Tewantin, Girraween, Cooroibah Conservation Park, Cooroibah Bushland Reserve, Upper Yandina Creek, Cranks Creek, Batianoff 87, weeds, Leslie Drive Roundabout, NNS, Heritage Park
Cultural Notes

Native of rainforest or open forest in eastern Queensland and north eastern NSW. Naturalised in the Sydney, Melbourne and Perth regions. Sometimes a weed of gardens, bushland and cultivation Native of tropical and subtropical regions of the world including Australia (north from north coast of NSW). It is found in rainforest or open forest Other species of Nephrolepis. Boston Fern Nephrolepis exaltata, a native of America is also naturalised in a number of locations around Australia.

Landscaping Notes

CONTROL METHODS: Fishbone fern spreads by stolon and by wind blown spores. This plant may be dug out. The roots usually are not deep but form quite dense mats. If it is in dense matted clumps remove the central part of the roots from where the leaves are growing (the crown) with a knife. REMOVAL: Remove every part of the plant - hand-pull seedlings. Replace with: Adiantum hispidulum, Doodia aspera, Lomandra spp., Dianella caerulea.