How to Grow and Care for Curlygrass ferns

You will find fan fern (Schizaea dichotoma) growing in tropical heaths and open forests in nations around the Indian Ocean and Melanesia. Its name dichotoma, means cut in two in Latin and refers to the shape of its leaf fronds. This plant has a history of use in traditional medicine in Indonesia and Malaysia.

Little curlygrass fern is a delicate fern with slender, creeping rhizomes. Its diminutive, typically curled fronds make it recognizable, growing just a few centimeters tall. Primarily found in moist, shaded environments, this fern favors the understory of dense woodlands, where it gains the humidity and protection needed for its sensitive form. The simplicity of its leaf structure, reminiscent of ancient ferns, lends little curlygrass fern a prehistoric charm.

Forked comb fern is a delicate fern with distinctive forked fronds, akin to a 'Y' shape, that reach a modest height. Its split frond design is a survival trait, allowing it to capture sunlight efficiently in dappled forest floors. This unique characteristic aids in differentiating it from other ferns and underscores its adaptation to understory habitats where light is a precious resource.

Toothbrush fern is characterized by its unique fern-like appearance, featuring slim, comb-like fronds that emerge in a tufted cluster. It thrives in damp, shady environments where its fronds unfurl to catch filtered light. These fronds, often reaching up to 30 cm in length, are distinctly segmented, resembling the teeth of a comb, which assists in its identification amidst the forest underbrush.

Comb fern is a rare, tropical fern with a singular design. It features tube-like, hollow fronds that emerge from a central rhizome, an adaptation likely to enhance gas exchange in damp, low-light undergrowth. This striking morphology, combined with its preference for shaded, moist soils, makes it an exceptional example of niche specialization within dense forest ecosystems.