Doryopteris pilosa var. gemmifera. (Doryopteris cordata)

Description

Doryopteris pilosa var. gemmifera commonly known as the ‘Antenna Fern’ is a beautiful small tropical fern found growing on damp mossy slopes from Madagascar to Maurtius. Rarely growing more than 25cm high it is particularly suited to growing in a terrariums. When first seen it can appear like two different ferns growing together as it produces two different types of leaf, one is lobed and rounded, hugging the ground. The other is raised up above the fern hence it’s common name, Antenna Fern, these are the fertile fronds where the spores are produced. Likes a humid warm environment with temperatures between 18-25 degrees centigrade in a shady spot, ideally a terrarium or perhaps a north or east facing windowsill in a bathroom.