Flatfork fern (Psilotum complanatum)

Flatfork fern

Flatfork fern is a primitive vascular plant resembling ferns and horsetails, with simple, leafless green stems branching dichotomously. This species thrives in shaded, humid environments, where its rhizoids (root-like structures) efficiently anchor into the soil, allowing for the absorption of water and nutrients. Distinctively, flatfork fern lacks true leaves and roots, a characteristic of ancient plant lineages, and reproduces through spores, indicating an evolutionary past deeply entwined with the earliest terrestrial ecosystems.

Scientific classification

Species

Flatfork fern (Psilotum complanatum)

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Fern

Plant Type

15 - 38 ℃

Ideal Temperature

Images of Flatfork fern

Care Guide for Flatfork fern

Twice per week

Water

Partial sun

Sunlight

15 - 38 ℃

Ideal Temperature

Pruning: Flatfork fern is a whisk fern with leafless stems and dichotomous branching. Prune in early spring to promote growth and health. Remove dead or long stems to improve air circulation and reduce disease. Use clean, sharp tools for precise cuts and minimize plant stress.

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