Plants of
South Australia
Anogramma leptophylla
Pteridaceae
Annual Fern
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Adelaide
Arkaroola
Ceduna
Coober Pedy
Hawker
Innamincka
Marla
Marree
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Oodnadatta
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Keith
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Botanical art

Kath Alcock paintings: 2

Prior names

Polypodium leptophyllum

Etymology

Anogramma from the Greek 'ano-' meaning upwards and 'gramme' meaning a writing, referring to the sori maturing first near the tips. Leptophylla from the Greek 'leptos' meaning narrow, slender and 'phyllon' meaning a leaf, referring to the species' small habit.

Distribution and status

Found ion the Eyre Peninsula, Flinders Ranges, southern Mount Lofty Ranges, Kangaroo Island and the lower South-east in South Australia, growing in sheltered, damp places such as log hollows and moist rock ledges and earth embankments. Also found in Western Australia, New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania (and New Zealand, South America, Africa, India and Europe). Native. Common in South Australia. Common in the other States.
Herbarium regions: North Western, Flinders Ranges, Eyre Peninsula, Northern Lofty, Southern Lofty, Kangaroo Island, South Eastern, Green Adelaide
NRM regions: Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges, Alinytjara Wilurara, Eyre Peninsula, Kangaroo Island, Northern and Yorke, South Australian Arid Lands, South East
AVH map: SA distribution map (external link)

Plant description

A dimunitive fern with very short and poorly developed rhizome, growing from a perennial gametophyte. Fronds erect or spreading, delicate, very small, to 12 cm long with lamina very deeply lobed to 2-pinnate, fan-shaped, pale green or yellow-green, grabrous. Fruits are sori (spores) on the underside tip of the fronds. Seeds are very fine spores.

Seed collection and propagation

Look under the fronds and collect ones with spores and place in a seal paper bags to prevent spores from fulling out. Leave fronds in the paper bag to dry. The spores will fall off naturally or give the fronds a gentle shake. Use a very fine sieve to separate any unwanted material. Be careful as the spores are very fine. Store spores in an air tight container in a cool and dry place or in a -20oC freezer.