Pouched Coral Fern

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.