How to Grow and Care for Polyphlebium

Notable features of Polyphlebium venosum include it being one cell layer thick, 5 to 15 cm in length, having many branching veins and a trumpet shaped indusium. The sporophyte stage has rhizome branched and creeping, very fine, densely covered with tiny, pale brown hairs. Fronds well spaced, pendent, 5 to 15 cm long, delicate and translucent; stipe and rachis thread-like. Lamina pale green, long and narrow, irregular in outline and simply lobed to pinnately divided; Margins of pinnae or segments wavy or broadly crenate; ultimate segments blunt and broad (2 to 6 mm); indusium narrowly trumpet-shaped, 2 to 4 mm long; fine receptacle projecting 1 cm or more.

Polyphlebium endlicherianum boasts delicate, lace-like fronds that cascade gently, a testament to its affinity for moisture-rich environments. These finely segmented leaves allow for the graceful interception of dappled light in its preferred understory habitats. With a creeping habit, polyphlebium endlicherianum often forms verdant mats, providing it a competitive edge in the constant quest for space and nutrients.

Polyphlebium colensoi is a delicate fern with intricate, finely divided leaves that often grow in shaded, moist environments such as forest undergrowth. This verdant plant thrives in cooler climates and is recognized by its slender fronds, which gracefully unfurl from wiry stems. Its preference for damp habitats helps polyphlebium colensoi maintain a lush appearance, contributing to the rich tapestry of the woodland floor.