Rainforest margins

A common, spreading ground fern growing to about 40 cm tall. Found in rainforest margins and wet eucalypt forests in all eastern states. Named for Samuel Doody, an early English botanist. Aspera means rough and relates to the rough feel of the fronds. Very hardy, tolerant of root competition, and some direct sun. Propagation is from fresh spores or by clump division. Pale-green erect fronds are deeply lobed (pinnatifid) and have small curved teeth and thickened margins. New fronds are attractive in shades of pink and red.

Photo: Robert Whyte

Seed collecting and propagation

Fertile fronds are similar to the sterile ones except they have 2-4 lines of round sori (spore clumps) on the undersides of the frond. Propagation is from fresh spores or by clump division. To propagate from spores cut fertile fronds with spores into 5 cm sections and lay on moist potting media.

Foliage undersides. Photo: Robert Whyte