Gleichenia microphylla

“Habit and Habitat as per G. dicarpa. Uncommon” – NPOS p.314

Yet another Coral Fern! Along with the Pouched Coral Fern (Gleichenia dicarpa) and Gleichenia rupestris, the G. microphylla completes the entire set of coral ferns found in Sydney, according to NPOS anyway.

G. microphylla has features of both G. rupestris and G. dicarpa. It had very fine small fronds that are a deep green colour and convex on the top like G. dicarpa. But on the underside they are flat or just slightly concave like G. rupestris.

Gleichenia rupestris

NPOS p.314 

This coral fern was helpfully marked on the Mueller track in the wildflower gardens. It was growing on sandstone near the base of a small cliff. The species wasn’t indicated, but from the description in NPOS I think it’s Gleichenia rupestris. The fronds are flat on the underside and are larger and flatter than the pouched coral fern, the stalks are hairless.

Gleichenia dicarpa

“A scrambling fern forming dense entanglements in sunny sites - NPOS p.313

The pouched coral fern has small delicate fronds on branchlets that sprout from a central stalk. On some plants the colour of the fronds lightens as they move further along the branchlets. I’m not sure why this is, could it be new growth?

On the underside of the fronds are tiny pouches that contain the spores. The pouches are a diagnostic feature that set the it apart from other coral ferns, and of course the origin of the common name. The pouches really are small, I had to look at them through a hand lens the first time properly visualize them. Now I know what to look for they seem visible to the naked eye.