Plant Descriptions – Stellaria angustifolia – Syzygium wilsonii

Stellaria angustifolia

Classification:

Unranked: Eudicots

Order: Caryophyllales

Family: Caryophyllaceae

Genus: From Astḗr, which is Ancient Greek or Stellāris/Stellātus, which is Latin for a star or star shape. It refers to flowers, which have a star shape or appear like stars in the field.

Specie: From Angusta, which is Latin for narrow and Folium, which is Latin for foliage. It usually refers to leaves or at times the calyx lobes or petals, which are narrower than other species in the genus.

Sub specie: Stellaria angustifolia subsp. angustifolia. From Angusta, which is Latin for narrow and Folium, which is Latin for foliage. It usually refers to leaves or at times the calyx lobes or petals, which are narrower than other species in the genus.

Sub specie: Stellaria angustifolia subsp. rotundisepala. From Rotundātus, which is Latin for rounded or obtuse and Sképē, which is Ancient Greek or Sepalum, which is Latin for a roof or covering. It refers to sepals or the calyx lobes, which have an obtuse apex.

Sub specie: Stellaria angustifolia subsp. tenella. From Tenella, which is Latin for small, delicate and tender. It refers plants, which are dainty or petite in size

Common Name: Swamp Starwort.

Distribution:

Sub specie: Stellaria angustifolia subsp. angustifolia is found east and south of a line from the Byfield National Park near Rockhampton in south east Queensland to Kangaroo Island in southern South Australia.

Stellaria angustifolia subsp. rotundisepala is found in two isolated populations, one in the Dillundoo Valley near Mount Kosiosko in New South Wales and the other in Bryan Swamp in the Victoria Valley in south western Victoria.

Stellaria angustifolia subsp. tenella is found in several disjunct populations in far southern New South Wales to south eastern South Australia and Tasmania.

https://avh.ala.org.au/occurrences/search?taxa=Stellaria+angustifolia#tab_mapView

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Stellaria angustifolia prefer light dappled shade to full sun. It usually grows in swamps, heaths or wallums in seasonally flooded sites. The altitude ranges from 5 meters ASL to 1380 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from minus 4 degrees in August to 40 degrees in January.

The rainfalls range from lows of 300mm to 2000mm average per annum.

Soil Requirements:

Stellaria angustifolia prefers better quality sands, sandy loams to light-medium clays. The soils are usually derived from decomposed granites, sandstone or accumulated sands however most base rocks are acceptable. The soils pH ranges from 4.5pH to 7.5pH. It does not tolerate water logged soils. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated as are salt laden winds.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 0.4m to 0.7m by 0.3m to 0.5m

Characteristics:

Stellaria angustifolia grows as a small straggly or erect shrub, climbing over and through larger plants. The 4 angulated stems are mainly glabrous except for a few minute hirsute hairs on the basal half.

The opposite, linear to narrow-lanceolate leaves of Stellaria angustifolia measure 10mm to 40mm in length by 1mm to 2mm in width. The bases are clasping while the apexes are narrow acute. The concolourous laminas are grass-green to deep green and are mainly glabrous except for a few minute hirsute hairs near the base. The laminas recurve upwards strongly from the mid vein to the margins and are straight or irregularly decurve downwards from the base to the apex. The margins are entire or finely toothed. The mid vein is slightly prominent on the lower lamina.

The inflorescences are born singularly or on small 3 flowered cymes from the leaf axils. The pedicels measure 6mm to 45mm in length. The 5 long, narrow lanceolate, green sepals measure 3mm to 8mm in length by 1mm to 2.5mm in width with scarious margins. The 5 oblong, white petals are bifid and appear as 10 lobes. The lobes measure 8mm to 10mm in length by 2mm to 2.5mm in width.

The 10 dimorphic white filiform anthers measure 4mm to 10mm in length while the dorsifixed anthers are deep brown to deep purple-brown.

The pastel green style and stigma are glabrous. The lime-green ovary is glabrous. The pistils measure 1.5mm to 2mm in length. The flowers appear from September to December.

The fruits are ovoidal capsules. The glabrous capsules measure 2mm to 6mm in length and are as long as the sepals.

Confusing Subspecie Varieties:

Stellaria angustifolia subsp. angustifolius sepals measure 3mm to 9mmin length. The apexes are acute to acuminate. The petals measure 3.5mm to 9mm in length and are equal to sepals. The fertile stamens measure 3mm in length.

Stellaria angustifolia subsp. rotundisepala sepals measure 1.5mm to 2.5mm in length. The apex is hooded. The petals measure 3.2mm to 3.9mm in length. The sepals are orbicular to broad elliptic while the apexes are obtuse, hooded or at times thickened. The pedicels measure 10mm to 20mm in length. The seeds are covered in slender, pointed but prominent tubercles. The fertile stamens measure 3mm in length.

Stellaria angustifolia subsp. tenella sepals measure 1.5mm to 2.5mm in length. The apexes are hooded. The petals measure 3.2mm to 3.9mm in length. The sepals are narrow ovate to elliptic while the apexes are obtuse to acute. The hood is never thickened. The pedicel usually measure 15mm to 20mm in length. The seeds are covered in semi inflated ridges.

Wildlife:

Stellaria angustifolia support native colony bees like Tetragonula carbonaria and wasps when in flower.

Cultivation:

Stellaria angustifolia is a small scrambling sub shrub that can be grown in association with other heath loving specie in small to medium gardens. In cultivation it grows from 0.4 meters to 0.5 meters in height by 0.2 meters to 0.3 meters in diameter when grown in the open or adjacent to other heath plants.

It grows exceptionally well on lighter clay soils where deep leaf litter keeps the soil cool and moisture at an even level. If these requirements are met they can cope with temperatures as low as minus 3 degrees and up to 38 degrees. It is moderately drought resistant once established however growth is slowed and flowering is set back.

However if it is given an adequate supply of water and a little native fertilizer on a regular basis the plants should respond with good flowering over a long period.

It does well in medium to large rockeries as the fill in plant. Here it can be planted in small groups of 3 to 5 to create a bushier look. Plant them at 200mm to 300mm centers. If it is surrounded by shorter plants with finer or larger foliages and red or orange flowers then a strong contrast can be created from September to December when it is in flower.

Propagation:

Seeds: The seeds can be removed easily from mature fruits.

As the seedlings roots reach the bottom of the tubes plant them out into their permanent position. Do not delay.

Fertilize using Seaweed, fish emulsion or organic chicken pellets soaked in water and apply the liquid on an alternate basis. Fertilize every 2 months until the plants are well established then on an annual basis in September or March to maintain health, vitality and better flowering.

Further Comments from Readers:

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Stellaria flaccida

Classification:

Unranked: Eudicots

Order: Caryophyllales

Family: Caryophyllaceae

Genus: From Astḗr, which is Ancient Greek or Stellāris/Stellātus, which is Latin for a star or star shape. It refers to flowers, which have a star shape or appear like stars in the field.

Specie: From Flaccidus, which is Latin for limp or flabby. It refers to the leaves semi arching to arching.

Sub specie:

Common Name:

Distribution:

Stellaria flaccida is found south from Mount Merino in far south east Queensland to the Otway Range in southern Victoria. It grows on and east of the Great Dividing Range especially the coastal ranges.

In South Australia it is found from Waterfall Gully near Adelaide.

In Tasmania it is found on the eastern two thirds of the Island except the high lands.

https://avh.ala.org.au/occurrences/search?taxa=Stellaria+flaccida#tab_mapView

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Stellaria flaccida prefers light dappled shade to medium shade. It usually grows in moist places within gullies in sclerophyll forests, gallery forests or on the margins of rainforest. The altitude ranges from 50 meters ASL to 1380 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from minus 4 degrees in August to 40 degrees in January.

The rainfalls range from lows of 500mm to 2100mm average per annum.

Soil Requirements:

Stellaria flaccida prefers to grow on better quality sandy loams to medium clays. The soils are usually derived from decomposed granites, sandstone, black basalts or brown basalts. The soils pH ranges from 5pH to 6pH. It does not tolerate water logged soils. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated as are salt laden winds.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 0.4m to 0.7m by 0.3m to 0.5m

Characteristics:

Stellaria flaccida grows as a small procumbent or ascending perennial herb with glabrous stems. The new growth stems are sparsely covered in white, caducous, hirsute hairs which are persistent at the nodes.

The opposite, ovate to lanceolate leaves measure 7mm to 20mm in length by 2mm to 8mm in width. The petioles are very sparsely covered in off white hirsute hairs and measure2mm to 6mm in length. The bases are rounded, cuneate or are attenuate while the apexes are broad acute to acute. The concolourous laminas are deep green to blue-green, dull and glabrous to scabrous. The laminas are flat to slightly recurve upwards from the mid vein to the margins and recurve upwards or decurve downwards near the apex. The margins are entire, undulate and are sparsely covered in coarse white ciliate hairs on the lower two thirds. The mid vein is slightly prominent on the lower lamina while the lateral pinnate veins are slightly prominent on the upper lamina.

The inflorescences are born singularly from the leaf axils. The pedicels measure 20mm to 40mm in length. The 5 long, narrow lanceolate, green sepals have recurved margins and are covered in white multicellular hairs. The sepals measure 4mm to 7mm in length by 1mm to 2.5mm in width with scarious margins. The 5 oblong, white petals are deeply bifid and appear as 10 lobes. The lobes measure 6mm to 10mm in length by 2mm to 2.5mm in width.

The 10 dimorphic white filiform anthers measure 4mm to 7mm in length while the dorsifixed anthers are deep brown to deep purple-brown.

The white style and stigma and lime-green ovary is glabrous. The pistils measure 1.5mm to 2mm in length. The flowers appear from September to January.

The fruits are ovoidal capsules. The glabrous capsules measure 2mm to 6mm in length. The few seeds in each capsule are tuberculate.

Wildlife:

Stellaria flaccida support native colony bees like Tetragonula carbonaria along the coast.

The follicles are often eaten out internally by unknown weevils.

Cultivation:

Stellaria flaccida is a small dense scrambling perennial that can be grown in association with other moist heath loving specie in small to medium gardens. In cultivation it grows from 0.4 meters to 0.5 meters in height by 0.2 meters to 0.3 meters in diameter when grown in the open or adjacent to other heath plants.

However if it is given an adequate supply of water and a little native fertilizer on a regular basis the plants should respond with good flowering over a long period.

Propagation:

Seeds: The seeds can be removed easily from mature fruits.

As the seedlings roots reach the bottom of the tubes plant them out into their permanent position. Do not delay.

Cuttings: Stellaria flaccida cuttings maybe difficult to strike so be prepared for some loses. Use 100mm to 200mm long tip cuttings or lateral shoots from the present season’s growth. Take them in warmer months of the year. Remove half the leaves from the bottom section being careful not to tear the bark.

1 Prepare the cutting mix by adding two thirds sharp clean river sand, one third peat or one third perlite. These ingredients must be sterilized,

2 Select good material from non diseased plants,

3 Select semi green stems for cuttings. Look for a stem with two or three nodes,

4 Place the cutting on a flat, hard surface, and make a clean cut down one side of the cutting at the base for 10mm with a sharp sterile knife or razor blade. – This scarification of the node will increase the chances of roots emerging from this spot. Now remove all but one or two the leaves, leaving the apex leaves in tact. If the leaves are very large in proportion to the stem, cut off the apical halves.

5 Fill a saucer with water, and place a little medium strength rooting hormone into another container like a milk bottle top. Dip the node end of the cutting into the water and then into the rooting hormone. Tap off any excess hormone,

6 Use a small dipple stick or old pencil to poke a hole into the soilless potting mix. Ensure the hole is slightly larger than the stem diameter and be careful not to wipe the rooting hormone off the cuttings base. Place 2 to 4 cuttings in each of the 50mm native tubes,

7 I like to place the tubes in bucket with holes drilled in the bottom to allow excess water to drain out. A plastic bag that fits over the bucket is ideal to help maintain temperature and moisture. Place in a semi shaded, warm position like under 50{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f} shade cloth.

8 When the cuttings have struck, open the bag to allow air circulation for a few days to a week,

9 Once hardened off remove the cuttings from the bag and allow to further hardening for a few more days to a week,

10 Transplant into a good potting mix to grow on.

Fertilize using seaweed, fish emulsion or organic chicken pellets soaked in water on an alternate basis. Fertilize every two months until the plants are established then twice annually in early September or March to maintain health, vitality and better flowering.

Further Comments from Readers:

Stellaria pungens

Classification:

Unranked: Eudicots

Order: Caryophyllales

Family: Caryophyllaceae

Genus: From Astḗr, which is Ancient Greek or Stellāris/Stellātus, which is Latin for a star or star shape. It refers to flowers, which have a star shape or appear like stars in the field.

Specie: From Flaccidus, which is Latin for limp or flabby. It refers to the leaves semi arching to arching.

Sub specie:

Common Name: Pungent Stellaria.

Distribution:

Stellaria pungens is found south from Sundown National Park in far north eastern New South Wales to Mount Burr Forest in south eastern South Australia.

In Tasmania it is found on the northern third of the Island and down through the centre except the high lands. It is also found on the Bass Straight Islands.

https://avh.ala.org.au/occurrences/search?taxa=Stellaria+pungens#tab_mapView

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Stellaria pungens prefers light dappled shade to medium shade. It usually grows in moist places within gullies in sclerophyll forests, gallery forests or on the margins of rainforest. The altitude ranges from 5 meters ASL to 1700 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from minus 7 degrees in August to 40 degrees in January.

The rainfalls range from lows of 600mm to 2100mm average per annum.

Soil Requirements:

Stellaria pungens prefers to grow on better quality sandy loams to medium clays. The soils are usually derived from decomposed granites and sandstone or at times black basalts or brown basalts. The soils pH ranges from 5pH to 6pH. It does not tolerate water logged soils. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated as are salt laden winds.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 0.4m to 0.7m by 0.3m to 0.5m

Characteristics:

Stellaria pungens grows as a small prostrate or ascending perennial, which often roots at the nodes where they touch the ground. The angular stems are sparsely to moderately covered in short white, hirsute hairs, at times are appressed or at times are glabrous.

The opposite or whirled sessile, usually recurved, narrow lanceolate leaves measure 5mm to 10mm in length by 1.5mm to 2.5mm in width near the base. The bases are semi clasping, while the apexes taper to a rigid pungent tip. The concolourous laminas are mid green, dull and glabrous to scabrous. The laminas are recurve upwards from the mid vein to the margins and decurve downwards variably from the base or near the apex to the apex. The margins are entire and are sparsely covered in fine white ciliate hairs. The mid vein and lateral veins are not visible on either lamina

The inflorescences are born singularly from the terminals or in the upper axils. The terete pedicels measure 5mm to 30mm in length. The narrow lanceolate sepals curve strongly from the middle to the hyline, scarious margins and measure 5mm to 9mm in length by 1mm to 2.5mm in width. The white, deeply bifid petals measure 4.5mm to 10mm in length by 3.5mm to 7.5mm in width

The 10 dimorphic, white filaments measure measure 4mm to 7mm in length, while the dorsifixed anthers are deep pink to pinkish-mauve dehisce longitudinally.

The white, filaform trilobed stigma arises from lime-green apex, white glabrous ovary. The pistils measure 2mm to 3.5mm in length. The flowers appear from August to early February.

The fruits are ovoidal capsules. The glabrous capsules measure 5mm to 9mm in length by 3mm to 4mm in diameter. The valves are straight or slightly recurved at the apex. The 5 to 18 circular, flattened seeds are mustard to pale brown or at times ruby-red in colour. The seeds are sparsely to moderately tuberculate and measure 1mm to 1.8mm in length.

Wildlife:

Stellaria pungens support native colony bees like Tetragonula carbonaria along the coast.

The follicles are often eaten out internally by unknown weevils.

Cultivation:

Stellaria pungens is a small dense scrambling perennial that can be grown in association with other moist heath loving specie in small to medium gardens. In cultivation it grows from 0.4 meters to 0.5 meters in height by 0.2 meters to 0.3 meters in diameter when grown in the open or adjacent to other heath plants.

However if it is given an adequate supply of water and a little native fertilizer on a regular basis the plants should respond with good flowering over a long period.

It does well in medium to large rockeries as the fill in plant. Here it can be planted in small groups of 5 or more will create a bushier look. Plant them at 200mm to 300mm centers. If they are surrounded by other short plants with finer or larger foliages with red or orange flowers like Lechenaultia formosa, yellow flowers like Hibbertia obtusifolia or Hibbertia linearis or blue flowers like Lechenaultia biloba then a strong contrast can be created from August to early February when it is in flower. Such a scene can be further enhanced with the judicial placement of rocks and logs.

Propagation:

Seeds: The seeds can be removed easily from mature fruits.

As the seedlings roots reach the bottom of the tubes plant them out into their permanent position. Do not delay.

Further Comments from Readers:

Stenocarpus angustifolius

Classification:

Unranked: Eudicots

Order: Proteales

Family: Proteaceae

Subfamily: Grevilleoideaae

Genus: From Stenos, which is Ancient Greek for narrow and Karpós, which is Ancient Greek for a fruit. It refers to the fruits, which are rather slender.

Specie: Angustifolius: [an-gus-ti-foh-li-us] From Angusta, which is Latin for narrow and Folium, which is Latin for foliage. It refers to leaves, which are rather narrow but not linear.

Sub specie:

Common Name: Narrow leaf Stenocarpus.

Distribution:

Stenocarpus angustifolius is found in far north eastern Queensland in two distinct disjunct populations. West of Cairnes it is located between the Atherton Tablelands south east to wild River. Around Townsville it is found from the Harvey Range to Reid river Gorge.

https://avh.ala.org.au/occurrences/search?taxa=Stenocarpus+angustifolius#tab_mapView

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Stenocarpus angustifolius prefer full shade to bright filtered sunlight. It grows in moist, warm tropical rainforest, warm subtropical rainforests on adjacent ranges to the coast. The altitude ranges from 80 meters ASL to 900 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from 3 degrees in August to 39 degrees in January.

The rainfalls range from lows of 900mm to 1400mm average per annum.

Soil Requirements:

Stenocarpus angustifolius prefer to grow on better quality sandy loams to medium clays at the edge of dry rainforests or moist, open woodlands. The soils are usually derived from decomposed black basalt. The soils pH ranges from 5pH to 6pH. It does not tolerate water logged soils however the soils have good moisture retentive characteristics. Non saline soils to slightly saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 4m to 5m by 4m to 5m

Characteristics:

Stenocarpus angustifolius grows as a large shrub with deep brown to almost black, smooth bark. Old trees may be slightly buttressed right at the base. The mid green stems are sparsely covered in fine white hirsute hairs soon becoming glabrous.

Young trees and those with coppice regrowth have finely divided trifoliate leaves. The leaves measure 45mm to 60mm in length by 5mm to 8mm in width. The petioles measure 30mm to 60mm in length.

While immature plants have trifoliate leaves, mature plants will have both trifoliate and simple leaves on the same plant. The simple, alternate, lanceolate leaves of Stenocarpus angustifolius measure 50mm to 185mm in length by 8mm to 12mm in width. The glabrous, terete petiole measures 70mm to 100mm in length. The bases taper to the petiole while the apexes areacute. The concolourous laminas are mid to pale grass-green, semi glossy and glabrous on the upper lamina while the lower lamina is slightly duller. The margins are entire on both immature and mature leaves. The mid vein is slightly prominent on the lower lamina and near the base. The lateral veins are very fine.

The pale yellow, cream or at times white conflorescences of Stenocarpus angustifolius are born from the upper leaf axils. The 12 to 20 individual flowers are born from the the upper leaf axils. The finely pubescent peduncle measures 22mm to 40mm in length while the pedicels measure 10mm to 30mm in length. The individual flowers measure 8mm to 10mm in length. The hypogynous gland is semicircular, glossy and pale yellowish-green.

The 4 pale yellow, cream or at times white filaments are sparsely covered in white pilose hairs and rectangular in cross section. The strongly revolute filaments measure 10mm to 20mm in length. The lateral anthers are yellowish-brown while the pollen is pale yellow. The anthers measure 1mm to 1.2mm in diameter.

The pale green style turns deep-green and back to pale green at the lateral glabrous stigma. The oblique pollen presenter is creamy–yellow to pale yellow. The pistils are glabrous and measure 12mm to 20mm in length. The stigmas are oblique and measure 2mm to 2.2mm in diameter. The flowers appear from late August to December.

Stenocarpus angustifolius fruits are narrow cylindrical follicles. The follicles are glabrous and measure 60mm to 100mm in length by 7mm to 11mm in diameter. The green capsules turn pale brown externally and fawnish-tan internally when ripe. The style is persistent on the ripe follicles. There are up to 8 mid brown to pale brown, flattened seeds in each follicle. The seeds measure 15mm to 20mm in length by 12mm to 15mm in width including the wing. The fruit ripens from January to March.

Wildlife:

Stenocarpus angustifolius supports many native bees including Tetragonula carbonaria and ants when in flower.

Cultivation:

Stenocarpus angustifolius is a large shrub or small tree that can be grown in association with other small dry rainforest specie in medium to larger gardens. In cultivation it grows from 5 meters to 8 meters in height by 5 meters to 8 meters in diameter when grown in the open . Most trees will not commence spreading until they reach a semi mature height. The first flowers usually appear after 7 or 8 years from seed. Cutting grown trees usually flower from the second year.

It grows exceptionally well on lighter clay soils where deep leaf litter keeps the soil cool and moisture at an even level. If these requirements are met it can cope with temperatures as low as 2 degrees and up to 40 degrees. It is moderately drought resistant once established however growth is slowed dramatically when other than ideal conditions are supplied.

If it is given an adequate supply of water and a little native fertilizer on a regular basis the plants will respond with better flowering and fruit over a long period.

Stenocarpus angustifolius make very good accent trees in front of low set and 2 story commercial buildings, industrial sheds or school classrooms where it will break up hard rigid architectural lines and give warmth and breadth to a building. In front of high rise buildings they give balance especially where they could be grown in curves standing as sentries to the entry doors. It will help maintain cooler temperatures in summer and warmer conditions in the winter.

Try using one in a court yard where the only other feature is a large rock, stump or formal or informal frog or fish pond. Next to such features their large glossy leaves and beautiful flowers are never overpowering but strong enough to be noticed. I am surprised that they have never been used in commercial entrances and foyers to break the ice and give a feeling of business as usual but somehow make the business more relaxing.

It looks great when used in medium to large rockeries as the feature plant. Here it can be planted in small groups of 2 or 3 or as a standalone plant to create the center of attention. If it is surrounded by shorter plants with finer or larger foliages, that are yellow-green or pale green then year round contrast can be created with a strong accent in the center of the bed. A more formal look can be achieved by radiating the smaller plants in a pattern of gold and purple. Use plants with deep red to red-orange flowers that are much shorter will also create that dominate affect at the center giving height and strength to the bed.

The trees are ideal for the growing epiphytic ferns and orchids on especially when grown on the edge of a rainforest garden.

Propagation:

Seeds: The seeds of Stenocarpus angustifolius can be removed easily from the follicles.

Sow fresh seeds directly into a seed raising mix, keeping them moist not wet. Cover the seeds with 1mm to 3mm of mix. Do not over water as the seeds will rot off before germination takes place. Place the trays in a cool shaded area with 30{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f} to 50{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f} shade cloth in the bush house. When the seedlings are 20mm to 25mm tall, prick them out and plant them into 50mm native tubes using a good organic mix.

As the seedlings roots reach the bottom of the tubes plant them out into their permanent position. Do not delay.

Cuttings:

Stenocarpus angustifolius can be grown from cuttings, which strike relatively easy. Use 200mm to 350mm long semi hardwood to hardwood cuttings from the present season’s growth. Take them in warmer months of the year. Remove half the leaves from the bottom section being careful not to tear the bark.

1 Prepare the cutting mix by adding two thirds sharp clean river sand, one third peat or one third perlite. These ingredients must be sterilized,

2 Select good material from non diseased plants,

3 Select semi green stems for cuttings. Look for a stem with two or three nodes,

8 When the cuttings have struck, open the bag to allow air circulation for a few days to a week,

9 Once hardened off remove the cuttings from the bag and allow to further hardening for a few more days to a week,

10 Transplant into a good potting mix to grow on.

Further Comments from Readers:

Stenocarpus davallioideas

Classification:

Unranked: Eudicots

Order: Proteales

Family: Proteaceae

Subfamily: Grevilleoideaae

Genus: From Stenos, which is Ancient Greek for narrow and Karpós, which is Ancient Greek for a fruit. It refers to the fruits, which are rather slender.

Specie: Davallia is named in Honour of Edmund Davall; 1763-1798, who was a Swiss botanist and –eidḗs or -oid, which are Ancient Greek or later –oīdes, which is Latin for alike or similar to. It refers to plants, which have leaves that resemble the fern genus Davallia.

Sub specie:

Common Name: Fern leaf Stenocarpus.

Distribution:

Stenocarpus davallioides is found in far north eastern Queensland between Thornton Peak and Mount Lewis National Park. It is found on and east of the Great Dividing Range.

https://avh.ala.org.au/occurrences/search?taxa=Stenocarpus+davallioides#tab_mapView

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Stenocarpus davallioides prefer full shade to full sun. It grows in moist monsoonal forests, warm tropical rainforest, warm subtropical rainforests and warm temperate rainforest on the coast and adjacent ranges. The altitude ranges from 600 meters ASL to 1260 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from 3 degrees in August to 39 degrees in January.

The rainfalls range from lows of 1400mm to 2000mm average per annum.

Soil Requirements:

Stenocarpus davallioides prefer to grow on better quality sandy loams to medium clays. The soils are usually derived from decomposed brown basalt, black basalts, metamorphic rocks, sandstone, granite or podsolics. The soils pH ranges from 4.5pH to 6pH. It does not tolerate water logged soils. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 18m to 40m by 7m to 12m

Characteristics:

Stenocarpus davallioides grows as a large tree with deep brown, finely to coarsely, vertically fissured bark. Old trees are moderately buttressed at the base. The stems are maroon to reddish-purple and glabrous.

Young trees and those with coppice regrowth have finely divided, fern-like leaves. The leaves measure 300mm to 420mm in length by 200mm to 300mm in width. The petioles measure 60mm to 100mm in length.

The simple, alternate, lanceolate mature leaves of Stenocarpus davallioides are often a mixture of juvenile and mature leaves. The leaves measure 50mm to 135mm in length by 10mm to 40mm in width. The glabrous petiole measures 10mm to 20mm in length. The bases are oblique cuneate while the apexes are obtuse. The asymmetrical, coriaceous, discolourous laminas are grass-green to deep green, semi glossy to glossy and glabrous on the upper lamina while the lower lamina is paler and duller. The margins are entire on the true mature leaves. The mid vein is slightly prominent on the lower lamina and is more prominent closer to the base. The lateral veins are very finely prominent on the lower lamina.

The conflorescences of Stenocarpus davallioides are born from the upper leaf axils. There are 8 to 16 individual flowers on a simple spike. The glabrous to finely pubescent peduncle measures 15mm to 40mm in length while the pedicels measure 6mm to 12mm in length. The flowers measure 8mm to 20mm in length. The hypogynous gland is semicircular, glossy and pale yellowish-green.

The 4 pale yellowish to pale greenish filaments are glabrous to sparsely covered in white pilose hairs and rectangular in cross section. The strongly revolute filaments measure 10mm to 20mm in length. The lateral anthers are yellowish-brown while the pollen is pale yellow. The anthers measure 1mm to 1.2mm in diameter.

The pale greenish to pale orange style turns pale lime-green at the lateral glabrous stigma. The oblique pollen presenter is creamy–yellow to pale yellow. The pistils are glabrous and measure 7mm to 14mm in length. The stigmas are oblique and measure 2mm to 2.2mm in diameter. The flowers appear during November.

Stenocarpus davallioides fruits are narrow oblong follicles. The follicles are glabrous and measure 35mm to 65mm in length by 7mm to 11mm in diameter. The green capsules turn deep brown externally and fawnish-tan internally when ripe. The style is persistent on the ripe fruit. There are up to 8 mid brown to pale brown, flattened seeds in each follicle. The seeds measure 8mm to 12mm in length by 3mm to 4mm in width including the wing. The fruit ripen from January to March.

Wildlife:

Stenocarpus davallioides supports many native bees including Tetragonula carbonaria, pollen flies including the Blue banded bee Amegilla cingulata many butterflies and small honeyeaters when in flower.

Cultivation:

Stenocarpus davallioides is a tall tree that can be grown in association with other rainforest specie in medium to larger gardens. It is ideal at the edge of a rain forest or deep in the center of the rainforest though at the center the beautiful foliage will not be seen once the trees gain some height. It also makes a great park tree offering rather quick growth, and good dense shade. In cultivation it grows from 15 meters to 25 meters in height by 6 meters to 12 meters in diameter when grown in the open or taller and narrower if grown closer together as a rainforest tree. Most trees will not commence spreading until they reach a semi mature height. The first flowers usually appear after 7 or 8 years from seed. Cutting grown trees usually flower from the second year.

It grows exceptionally well on lighter clay soils where deep leaf litter keeps the soil cool and moisture at an even level. If these requirements are met they can cope with temperatures as low as minus 5 degrees and up to 40 degrees. It is moderately drought resistant once established however growth is slowed dramatically when other than ideal conditions are supplied.

If it is given an adequate supply of water and a little native fertilizer on a regular basis the plants will respond with exceptional flowering and fruit over a long period.

Stenocarpus davallioides make very good accent trees in front of low set and 2 story commercial buildings, industrial sheds or school classrooms where they will break up hard rigid architectural lines and give warmth and breadth to a building. In front of high rise buildings they give balance especially where they could be grown in curves standing as sentries to the entry doors. It will help maintain cooler temperatures in summer and warmer conditions in the winter.

The trees are ideal for the growing epiphytic ferns and orchids on especially when grown on the edge of a rainforest garden.

Propagation:

Seeds: The seeds ofStenocarpus davallioides can be removed easily from the follicles.

As the seedlings roots reach the bottom of the tubes plant them out into their permanent position. Do not delay.

Cuttings:

Stenocarpus davallioides can be grown from cuttings, which strike relatively easy. Use 200mm to 350mm long semi hardwood to hardwood cuttings from the present season’s growth. Take them in warmer months of the year. Remove half the leaves from the bottom section being careful not to tear the bark.

1 Prepare the cutting mix by adding two thirds sharp clean river sand, one third peat or one third perlite. These ingredients must be sterilized,

2 Select good material from non diseased plants,

3 Select semi green stems for cuttings. Look for a stem with two or three nodes,

8 When the cuttings have struck, open the bag to allow air circulation for a few days to a week,

9 Once hardened off remove the cuttings from the bag and allow to further hardening for a few more days to a week,

10 Transplant into a good potting mix to grow on.

Further Comments from Readers:

Stenocarpus salignus

Classification:

Unranked: Eudicots

Order: Proteales

Family: Proteaceae

Subfamily: Grevilleoideaae

Genus: From Stenos, which is Ancient Greek for narrow and Karpós, which is Ancient Greek for a fruit. It refers to the fruits, which are rather slender.

Specie: From Salix, which is Latin for the weeping willow. It refers to plants, which resemble the weeping willow in having branches or stems that weep.

Sub specie:

Common Name: Scrub Beefwood or Red Silky Oak.

Distribution:

Stenocarpus salignus is found in the Northern Territory from Point Murganella to the east Alligator Creek.

In the east it is found south from Prince of Wales Island in the Torres Straight Islands to Batemans Bay in central coastal New South Wales. It is mainly found on and east of the Great Dividing Range to the coast except where it extends to the Blackdown Tablelands, Enniskillen and the Carnarvon Ranges in central Queensland.

There are 2 isolated populations further south and west at Mount Martha on Mornington Peninsular in southern Victoria and at Scott Creek Conservation Park outside Adelaide in South Australia.

https://avh.ala.org.au/occurrences/search?taxa=Stenocarpus+salignus#tab_mapView

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Stenocarpus salignus prefer full shade to full sun. It grows in moist monsoonal forests, warm tropical rainforest, warm subtropical rainforests and warm temperate rainforest on the coast and adjacent ranges. The altitude ranges from 60 meters ASL to 1200 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from minus 3 degrees in August to 40 degrees in January.

The rainfalls range from lows of 300mm to 3000mm average per annum.

Soil Requirements:

Stenocarpus salignus prefer to grow on better quality sandy loams to medium clays. The soils are usually derived from decomposed brown basalt, black basalts, metamorphic rocks, sandstone, granite or podsolics. The soils pH ranges from 4.5pH to 6pH. It does not tolerate water logged soils. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 18m to 30m by 7m to 12m

Characteristics:

Stenocarpus salignus grows as a very large shrub or tree with deep brown, finely to coarsely fissured and finely scaly bark. The stems are maroon to reddish-purple and glabrous.

The alternate, ovate, lanceolate or elliptic leaves of Stenocarpus salignus measure 50mm to 105mm in length by 10mm to 45mm in width when entire. The glabrous petiole measures 8mm to 20mm in length. The bases are oblique cuneate while the apexes are acute to obtuse. The asymmetrical, coriaceous, discolourous laminas are deep grass-green to deep green, semi glossy to glossy and glabrous on the upper lamina while the lower lamina is paler and dull. There are numerous minute translucent oil dots present which are barely visible with the human eye. The laminas recurve upwards from the mid vein to the margins and decurve on the apical half. The margins are entire. The mid vein and main vein on the lobes are prominent on the upper laminas. The usually 3 or at times 5 longitudinal veins arising near base and are not prominent on either surface. The reticulated veins are very fine.

The juvenile leaves are very variable from being shallowly lobed to being very deeply lobed.

The conflorescences of Stenocarpus salignus are usually born from the terminals or at times from the upper leaf axils. The 1 to 3 or rarely 4 simple umbels have 10 to 30 individual flowers. The greenish peduncle and reddish-brown to orange-brown pedicels are glabrous to sparsely covered in white pilose hairs and irregularly crowded. The peduncles measure 25mm to 60mm in length while the pedicels measure 8mm to 20mm in length. The flowers measure 8mm to 20mm in length. The hypogynous gland is semicircular, glossy and pale yellowish-green.

The pale reddish-brown to orange-brown style turns pale lime-green at the lateral stigma are glabrous. The oblique pollen presenter is creamy–yellow to pale yellow. The pistils are glabrous to sparsely covered in white pilose hairs and measure 10mm to 20mm in length. The stigmas are oblique and measure 2.2mm to 3mm in diameter. The flowers appear October to January.

Stenocarpus salignus fruits are ellipsoidal to oblanceolate follicles. The follicles are glabrous and measure 40mm to 70mm in length by 9mm to 13mm in diameter. The green capsules turn deep brown externally and fawnish-tan internally when ripe. The style is persistent on the ripe fruit. The mid brown to pale brown seeds are flattened, oblong woody to coriaceous seeds. The seeds measure 10mm to 15mm in length by 3mm to 4mm in width including the wing. The fruit ripen from September to November.

Wildlife:

Stenocarpus salignus supports many native bees including Tetragonula carbonaria, pollen flies including the Blue banded bee Amegilla cingulata many butterflies and small honeyeaters when in flower.

Cultivation:

Stenocarpus salignus is a magnificent small tree that can be grown in association with other rainforest specie in medium to larger gardens. It is ideal at the edge of a rain forest or deep in the center of the rainforest though at the center the beautiful foliage will not be seen once the trees gain some height. It also makes great park tree offering rather quick growth, and good dense shade. In cultivation it grows from 8 meters to 15 meters in height by 6 meters to 12 meters in diameter when grown in the open or taller and narrower if grown closer together as a rainforest tree. Most trees will not commence spreading until they reach a semi mature height. The first flowers usually appear after 7 or 8 years from seed. Cutting grown trees usually flower from the second year.

It grows exceptionally well on lighter clay soils where deep leaf litter keeps the soil cool and moisture at an even level. If these requirements are met they can cope with temperatures as low as minus 5 degrees and up to 40 degrees. It is moderately drought resistant once established however growth is slowed dramatically when other than ideal conditions are supplied.

If it is given an adequate supply of water and a little native fertilizer on a regular basis the plants will respond with exceptional flowering and fruit over a long period.

Stenocarpus salignus make very good accent trees in front of low set and 2 story commercial buildings, industrial sheds or school classrooms where they will break up hard rigid architectural lines and give warmth and breadth to a building. In front of high rise buildings they give balance especially where they could be grown in curves standing as sentries to the entry doors. It will help maintain cooler temperatures in summer and warmer conditions in the winter.

The trees are ideal for the growing epiphytic ferns and orchids on especially when grown on the edge of a rainforest garden.

Propagation:

Seeds: The seeds of Stenocarpus salignus can be removed easily from the follicles.

As the seedlings roots reach the bottom of the tubes plant them out into their permanent position. Do not delay.

Cuttings:

Stenocarpus salignus can be grown from cuttings, which strike relatively easy. Use 200mm to 350mm long semi hardwood to hardwood cuttings from the present season’s growth. Take them in warmer months of the year. Remove half the leaves from the bottom section being careful not to tear the bark.

1 Prepare the cutting mix by adding two thirds sharp clean river sand, one third peat or one third perlite. These ingredients must be sterilized,

2 Select good material from non diseased plants,

3 Select semi green stems for cuttings. Look for a stem with two or three nodes,

8 When the cuttings have struck, open the bag to allow air circulation for a few days to a week,

9 Once hardened off remove the cuttings from the bag and allow to further hardening for a few more days to a week,

10 Transplant into a good potting mix to grow on.

Further Comments from Readers:

Stenocarpus sinuatis

Classification:

Unranked: Eudicots

Order: Proteales

Family: Proteaceae

Genus: From Stenos, which is Ancient Greek for narrow and Karpós, which is Ancient Greek for a fruit. It refers to the fruits, which are rather slender.

Specie: From Sinuare, which is Latin for to bend, undulating or strongly bending. It refers to structures or organs, which are wavy or bendy in the case of a sinuous path.

Sub specie:

Common Name: Fire Wheel Tree.

Distribution:

Stenocarpus sinuatis is found south from the Daintree River National Park to of Sydney and from the Nambucca River in central coastal New South Wales. It is mainly found on and east of the Great Dividing Range.

https://avh.ala.org.au/occurrences/search?taxa=Stenocarpus+sinuatis#tab_mapView

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Stenocarpus sinuatis prefers medium shade to full sun. It grows east of the Great Dividing Range to the back dunes in littoral rainforests, warm sub-tropical rainforests or cool tropical rainforests. The altitude ranges from 400 meters ASL to 1200 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from minus 4 degrees in August to 39 degrees in January.

The rainfalls range from lows of 850mm to 3000mm average per annum.

Soil Requirements:

Stenocarpus sinuatis prefers better quality sandy loams to medium clays. The soils are usually derived from decomposed brown basalt, black basalts or metamorphic rocks often with over limestone. The soils pH ranges from 4.5pH to 6pH. It does not tolerate water logged soils. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 25m to 35m by 7m to 9m.

Characteristics:

The main trunk of Stenocarpus sinuatis is tall, straight, pale grey to pale brown and longitudinally wrinkled. The bark is hard and corky. The branches are grey to brown and only becoming pale green near the apex where the leaf growth occurs. The branchlets are glabrous.

The opposite, sub opposite or clustered, oblong-lanceolate leaves of Stenocarpus sinuatis measure 100mm to 250mm in length by 20mm to 60mm in width when entire. It is shorter and wider when the leaves are lobed. The juvenile trees often have larger leaves which are always lobed and measure 450mm by 240mm in width. The base is tapering attenuate while the apexes are obtuse. The concolourous laminas are deep grass-green to sea-green, semi glossy to glossy and glabrous on the upper lamina while the lower lamina is semi glossy. The leaf margins are entire, flat and decurve towards the apex. The mid vein and main vein on the lobes are prominent on the upper laminas. The petiole measures 10mm to 26mm in length.

The inflorescences of Stenocarpus sinuatis are born on umbels from the terminals or ramiflorously from the branches. There are 12 to 20 individual flowers on a peduncle. The yellow to dull yellow-orange peduncles and pedicels are glabrous. The long narrow campanulate pedicels radiate out from the campanulate peduncle’s apex like the spokes in a wheel. The peduncles measure 55mm to 90mm in length while the pedicels measure 8mm to 12mm in length. The perianth tube is scarlet red and covered in rusty-red pulverulent hairs externally and is glabrous internally. The perianths measure 25mm to 30mm in length by 4mm to 5mm in width.

The 2 pale reddish to orangey-red filaments are rusty-red pulverulent hairs externally and is glabrous internally and are rectangular in cross section. The twisting filaments measure 25mm to 30mm in length. The lateral anthers are yellow while the pollen is pale yellow. The anthers measure 4mm to 6mm in diameter.

The reddish to orange-red style has a lateral stigma. The oblique pollen presenter is yellow. The pistils are glabrous to sparsely covered in white pilose hairs and measure 25mm to 30mm in length. The stigmas are oblique and measure 4mm to 5mm in diameter. The flowers appear from March through to July.

The fruits of Stenocarpus sinuatis are globose to oblong follicles. The follicles are glabrous and slightly scabrous to touch and measure 40mm to 70mm in length by 12mm to 25mm in diameter. The green capsules turn deep grey to brown externally and paler internally when ripe. The calyx lobes are persistent on the ripe fruit. There are 3 to 5 dull fawn to pale woody brown seeds are flattened, ellipsoidal, woody seeds in each half of the follicle. They measure 25mm to 36mm in length including the terminal wing. The fruit ripen from September to November.

Wildlife:

Stenocarpus sinuatis support native bees along the coast. The trees follicles are often eaten out internally by unknown weevils.

Cultivation:

Stenocarpus sinuatis is a magnificent small tree that should be grown in association with other rainforest specie in medium to larger gardens. It is ideal at the edge of a rain forest or deep in the center of the rainforest though at the center the beautiful foliage will not be seen once the trees gain some height. They also make great park trees offering rather quick growth, and shade. In cultivation they will grow from 12 meters to 18 meters in height by 9 meters to 15 meters in diameter when grown in the open or taller and narrower if grown closer together as a rainforest tree. Most trees will not commence spreading until they reach a semi mature height and begin flowering which may take 7 to 8 years from seed. Cutting grown trees usually flower from the third year.

They grow exceptionally well on lighter clay soils where deep leaf litter keeps the soil cool and moisture at an even level. If these requirements are met they can cope with temperatures as low as minus 5 degrees and up to 40 degrees. It is moderately drought resistant once established however growth is slowed a lot when other than ideal conditions are supplied.

However if it is given an adequate supply of water and a little native fertilizer on a regular basis the plants should respond with exceptional flowering and fruit over a long period.

Stenocarpus sinuatis make very good accent trees in front of low set and 2 story commercial or industrial sheds where they will break up hard rigid architectural lines and give warmth and breadth to a building. In front of high rise buildings they give balance especially where they could be grown in curves standing as sentries to the entry doors. For something different use them from the front corners and meander them back to the main entry leaving large space to plant very small shrubs or annual flowers between the trees and the nature strip. This makes a strong statement of welcome, calmness and peace with colour in your day.

Try using them in a court yard where the only other feature is a large rock, stump or formal or informal frog or fish pond. Next to such features their large glossy leaves and brilliant red flowers are never overpowering but strong enough to be noticed. I am surprised that they have never been used in commercial entrances and foyers to break the ice and give a feeling of business as usual but somehow make the business more relaxing.

It is great when used in medium to large rockeries as the feature plant. Here they can be planted in small groups of 2 or 3 or as a standalone plant to create the center of attention. If it is surrounded by shorter plants with finer or larger foliages, that are yellow-green or pale green then year round contrast can be created with a strong accent in the center of the bed. A more formal look can be achieved by radiating the smaller plants in a pattern of gold and purple. Their deep red to red-orange flowers will also create that dominate affect at the center giving height and strength to the bed especially if yellow autumn and winter flowering plants are used. This dominance in foliage will stand unchallenged.

The trees are ideal for the growing epiphytic ferns and orchids on especially when grown on the edge of a forest.

Propagation:

Seeds: The seeds of Stenocarpus sinuatis can be removed easily from the fruits.

As the seedlings roots reach the bottom of the tubes plant them out into their permanent position. Do not delay.

Further Comments from Readers:

Stephania japonica

Classification:

Unranked: Eudicots

Order: Ranunculales

Family: Menispermaceae

Genus: Is named in honour of Christian Fredrich Stephan; 1757-1814, who was a German botanist who kept a herbarium on Russian plants mainly from Crimea and Siberia.

Specie: From Japanese, which is Latinized for Japan. It refers to plants, which were first discovered in Japan.

Variety: Stephania japonica var. discolor. From Japanese, which is Latinized for Japan. It refers to plants, which were first discovered in Japan.

Variety: Stephania japonica var. japonica. From Japanese, which is Latinized for Japan. It refers to plants, which were first discovered in Japan.

Variety: Stephania japonica var. timoriensis. From Japan, which is Latinized for Japan or Japanese. It refers to plants, which were first discovered in Japan.

Common Name: Snake Vine or Tape Vine.

Distribution:

Stephania japonica var. discolor is found south from the Starke National Park north of Cooktown to Eden in southern coastal New South Wales. It is mainly found on the Western Slopes close to the Range, on and east of the Great Dividing Range to the coast.

Stephania japonica var. japonica is found east from the Ord River in far north eastern Western Australia, along the far northern portion of the Northern Territory and south from the tip of Cape York Peninsular to the Richmond River in far north eastern New South Wales. It is mainly found on and east of the Great Dividing Range to the coast.

Stephania japonica var. timoriensis is found east from the Ord River in far north eastern Western Australia, along the far northern portion of the Northern Territory and south from the tip of Cape York Peninsular to Port Stephens eastern New South Wales. It is mainly found on and east of the Great Dividing Range to the coast.

https://avh.ala.org.au/occurrences/search?taxa=Stephania+japonica#tab_mapView

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Stephania japonica prefers full shade to part sun. It grows on the back dunes, in littoral rainforests, warm sub-tropical rainforests or cool tropical rainforests usually at lower altitudes. The altitude ranges from 1 meter ASL to 1100 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from minus 4 degrees in August to 39 degrees in January.

The rainfalls range from lows of 850mm to 3000mm average per annum.

Soil Requirements:

Stephania japonica prefers to grow on better quality sandy loams to medium clays. The soils are usually derived from decomposed sandstones, granites, brown basalt, black basalts or metamorphic rocks. The soils pH ranges from 5pH to 6.5pH. It does not tolerate water logged soils. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 2.5m to 3.5m by 2m to 3m.

Characteristics:

Stephania japonica grows as a small wiry creeper with deep sea-green, glabrous stems. The stems are deep sea-green and only becoming glossy green near the apex where the newer leaf growth occurs. The plants have tuberous roots.

The alternate, peltate ovate, orbicular or deltoid leaves of Stephania japonica var. japonica measure 60mm to 140mm in length by 50mm to 120mm in width. The petioles measure 40mm to 85mm in length. The bases are broad rounded to truncate while the apex is broadly obtuse. The discolourous laminas are deep sea-green, semi glossy and glabrous on the upper lamina while the lower lamina is paler and dull. The leaf margins are entire, flat or very slightly recurve from the petiole. There are 7 to 10 main veins which radiate out from the petiole. The veins are faintly prominent on the lower laminas and faintly visible on the upper laminas.

The alternate, peltate ovate, orbicular or deltoid leaves of Stephania japonica var. discolor measure 50mm to 120mm in length by 30mm to 80mm in width. The petioles measure 30mm to 120mm in length. The bases are broad rounded to rounded-cordate while the apex is broadly obtuse to acuminate-obtuse. The discolourous laminas are deep sea-green, semi glossy and glabrous on the upper lamina while the lower lamina is much paler, dull and is glabrous to sparsely covered in fine white hirtellous hairs. The leaf margins are entire, flat or very slightly recurve from the petiole. There are 9 to 12 main veins which radiate out from the petiole. The prominent radiating veins are faintly visible on the lower laminas and faintly visible on the upper laminas.

The alternate, peltate leaves of Stephania japonica var. timoriensis are broadly deltoid and very slightly palmate. They measure 40mm to 110mm in length by 40mm to 110mm in width with the lobes measuring 1mm to 3mm in length. The base is broadly rounded to truncate or slightly emarginated while the apex is broadly acute to broadly acuminate. The concolourous laminas are deep sea-green, semi glossy and glabrous. The leaf margins are entire, flat or very slightly recurve from the petiole. There are 5 to 9 main veins which radiate out from the petiole. The veins are faintly prominent on the lower laminas and faintly visible on the upper laminas. The petioles measure 30mm to 80mm in length.

Inflorescences of Stephania japonica var. japonica are dioecious and are born compound umbels which contain 7 or 8 heads from the leaf axils.

The male inflorescences consist of head contains 15 to 17 individual flowers. The inflorescences measure 25mm 90mm in length. The flowers measure 2.5mm to 3 mm in diameter. The sepals are in 2 whorls with 4 sepals in each whorl. The narrow oblong sepals measure 1.5mm in length while the broad sepals measure 1 mm in length. The stamens are fused to form a peltate structure. The pollen is white.

The female inflorescence measure 100mm to 110mm in length. The flowers are borne in umbels which in turn are arranged in smaller umbels. The flowers measure 1mm to 1.2mm in length. The sepals are narrow elliptic and covered in off white hirsute hairs externally and are glabrous internally. The sepals measure 0.75mm to 1mm in length. The petals are broad obovate to orbicular and measure 0.75mm to 1mm in length. The ovary measures 1mm to 1.25mm in length. The stigmas are bilobed or trilobed. The flowers appear from late August to early April.

Inflorescences of Stephania japonica var. discolor are dioecious and are born compound umbels which contain 7 or 8 heads from the leaf axils.

The male inflorescences consist of head contains 15 to 17 flowers. The 8 sepals are spathulate and measure 1mm in length. The 4 petals are obtriangular and measure 0.6mm to 0.7mm in length. The anthers are fused together to form a stalked disk like structure in the centre of the flower. The anther’s disk measures 1mm to 1.2mm in length by 2.5mm in diameter. The pedicel measures 1.5mm to 2mm in length. The anthers dehisce through a single slit around the margin of the disk.

The female flowers inflorescence consists of 6 to 10 individual flowers in a head. The sepals measure 1mm to 1.5mm in length by 0.5mm to 1mm in width. The petals measure 0.8mm to 1mm in length by 0.6mm to 0.8mm in width. The stigmas are trilobed. The flowers appear from late December to early February or early March in favourable seasons.

Inflorescences ofStephania japonica var. timoriensis are dioecious and are born compound umbels which contain 7 or 8 heads from the leaf axils.

The female inflorescences are panicles of umbels or heads. The individual flowers measure 0.8mm to 1mm in diameter. The 5 to 8 sepals are covered in long, white pilose hairs externally and are glabrous internally. The 2 to 4 petals are much shorter than the sepals. The ovary measures 1mm to 1.2mm in length. The 3 stigmas are sessile. There is 1 ovary in each ovule.

Stephania japonica var. japonica fruits are laterally compressed, globose drupes. The drupes are glabrous and measure 7mm to 8mm in length by 6mm to 7mm in diameter. The green capsules turn scarlet-red when ripe. The styles are persistent on the ripe fruit. The single brown seeds are laterally compressed and rugose. They measure 5mm to 6mm in length by 4mm to 5mm in diameter.

Stephania japonica var. discolor fruits are spherical drupes. The drupes are glabrous and measure 5mm to 7mm in length by 5mm to 7mm in diameter. The green capsules turn scarlet-red when ripe. The styles are persistent on the ripe fruit. The single brown seeds are spherical and irregularly pitted. They measure 4.5mm to 5mm in diameter.

Stephania japonica var. timoriensis fruits are laterally compressed, globose drupes. The large drupes are glabrous and measure 6mm to 8mm in length by 6mm to 7mm in diameter. The green capsules turn scarlet-red when ripe. The styles are persistent on the ripe fruit. The single brown seeds are ovoidal and are spiny or rugose. They measure 5mm to 6mm in length by 4mm to 5mm in diameter.

Wildlife:

Stephania japonica support native bees when in flower.

Cultivation:

Stephania japonica is a beautiful evergreen creeper for pergolas, fences or can be grown in association with other rainforest specie as a ground cover. It is ideal at the edge of a rain forest or deep in the center of the rainforest. In cultivation they will grow from 2.5 meters to 3.5 meters in height by 2 meters to 3 meters in width when grown in the open on a trellis or fence or about 2 meters in diameter when grown in a forest situation as a ground cover.

They grow exceptionally well on light or heavy soils where deep leaf litter keeps the soil cool and moisture at an even level. If these requirements are met they can cope with temperatures as low as minus 5 degrees and up to 36 degrees. It is moderately drought resistant.

Add to the above, if it is given an adequate supply of water and a little native fertilizer on a regular basis the plants respond with good flowering and fruit over a long period.

It is most suitable for use around semi shaded swimming pools, courtyards, besides pathways, shady rockeries, along sandy clay banks or along drive ways or adjacent to natural bush gardens. Mass plantings of 5 or more plants even in small areas; really do the plants justification especially when it is in fruit. Medium fish or frog ponds will benefit from Stephania japonica.

If it is placed around a pool, courtyards or other confined spaces then plant them in small groups or scatter plant them for a more informal natural look with plants that have vertical growth habits. This way the contrast with the walls and other structures remain strong and powerful yet blend together. Lomandra spicta, Lomandra longifolia or Lomandra confertus are great choices. Where height is required with a splash of colour try using Anigozanthos flavida where there is a great variety in colour and height to select from.

Using rocks and small boulders can make the pool or any water feature appear like an oasis. If companion plants are sought then the choice of plants to use either side is limited only by size of the area to be landscaped and the size of the other plants as they should be no more than 1.5m in height to emphasize the Stephania japonica.

Propagation:

Seeds: The seeds of Stephania japonica can be removed easily from the fruits.

Sow fresh seeds directly into a seed raising mix. Cover them to a depth of about 4mm to 8mm. Keep the seeds moist not wet. Place the trays in a cool shaded area with 50{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f} shade cloth in the bush house. When the seedlings are 20mm to 25mm tall, prick them out and plant them into 50mm native tubes using a good organic mix.

As the seedlings roots reach the bottom of the tubes plant them out into their permanent position. Do not delay.

Further Comments from Readers:

Sterculia quadrifida

Classification:

Unranked: Eudicots

Unranked: Rosids

Order: Malvales

Family: Malvaceae

Subfamily: Sterculiodeae

Genus: From Stercus, which is Latin for aging faeces or the Roman deity which discovered the benefits of manuring. It refers to plants, which yield a fetid odour from the flowers in some of the overseas species.

Specie: From Quād which is Latin for four and Findere which is Latin for to divide, split or cut. It refers to structures or organs which split into four.

Sub specie:

Common Name: Peanut Tree, Kuman, Red Fruited Kurrajong.

The following are some of the aboriginal dialects Balkpalk Yolngu people, Dundil Larrakia people or Malikini Tiwi Island people.

Distribution:

Sterculia quadrifida is found east from inlets along the Kimberley coast to in north western, Western Australia Groote Eyelandt in eastern Northern Territory.

In the east it is found south from the tip of Cape York Peninsular to Broken Head in north eastern coastal New South Wales. It is found on and east of the Great Dividing Range.

https://avh.ala.org.au/occurrences/search?taxa=Sterculia+quadrifida#tab_mapView

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Sterculia quadrifida prefers part shade to full sun. It grows in well-developed littoral, riverine rainforests monsoonal forests or vine thickets along the coast. In the west it is common in riparian zones along coastal inlets, ridge tops facing the coast and sandstone boulder country. The altitude ranges from 5 meters ASL to 500 meters ASL.

Temperatures range from 1 degree in August to 40 degrees in January.

The rainfalls range from lows of 850mm to 3200mm average per annum.

Soil Requirements:

Sterculia quadrifida prefers better quality sandy loams to gritty medium clays. The soils are usually derived from decomposed brown basalt, black basalts or metamorphic rocks. The soils pH ranges from 5pH to 6.5pH. It does not tolerate water logged soils however short periods of inundations in riparian zones or rising water tables may occur where plants are growing close to sandy swamps behind the frontal dunes. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 12m to 20m by 6m to 9m.

Characteristics:

Sterculia quadrifida grows as a medium broad spreading tree with a straight, pale grey to mid grey, longitudinally fissured bark. The bark is hard and covered in lichens and mosses. The branches are pale grey to fawn and only becoming pale green near the apex where the newer leaf growth occurs. The branchlets are glabrous.

The alternate, crowded, ovate to oblong leaves of Sterculia quadrifida are in whirls near the end of the branches and measure 55mm to 160mm in length by 30mm to 80mm in width. The bases are truncate to shallowly cordate while the apex is broadly acuminate with an obtuse tip. The discolourous laminas are grass-green to deep grass-green, dull to semi glossy and glabrous on the upper lamina while the lower lamina is slightly paler dull and sparsely covered in minute translucent stellate hairs. The leaf margins are entire, recurve slightly from the mid vein to the margins and are undulating. The margins on juvenile trees are often shallowly lobed. The mid vein and lateral veins are prominent on the lower laminas and are distinctly visible from the upper laminas. The petiole measures 20mm to 70mm in length. The trees are deciduous at the end of the dry season in late July through to early September.

Inflorescences of Sterculia quadrifida are monoecious and are born on multiple racemes from the upper leaf axils. The grass-green peduncles, racemes and pedicels are sparsely to densely covered in silvery-white or burgundy-red stellate hairs. The peduncles measure 6mm to 25mm in length while the rachises measure 16mm to 35mm in length and the pedicels measure 5mm to 9mm in length. The pale green, pale silvery-green or pale yellow-ochre perianth tubes and 4 lobes are densely covered in silvery-white or red to burgundy-red stellate hairs. The campanulate to urceolate-campanulate perianth tube measures 3mm to 5mm in length by 4mm to 6mm in diameter while the elliptical lobes are spreading and strongly recurve, cohering at the apex and measure 2.5mm to 4mm in length.

The 12 to 17 anthers in the male flowers are deep yellow-orange and crowded into a mass globular head at the base of the perianth.

The white style and stigma are glabrous while the ovary is green. The flowers appear from late October to early January.

The fruits of Sterculia quadrifida are oblong follicles. The large follicles are glabrous and measure 50mm to 80mm in length by 32mm to 54mm in diameter. The green capsules turn deep orange-red to carmine-red externally and internally with a white band between the outer and inner surfaces when ripe. The lobes are not persistent on the ripe fruit. The 3 to 10 dull black seeds are glabrous and variable in shape from oblong, almost spherical to ovoidal. There is a short white funicle at the apex. The seeds measure 9mm to 15mm in length by 8mm to 12mm in diameter. The fruit ripen from June through to August.

Wildlife:

Sterculia quadrifida support native bees like Tetragonula carbonaria and the Blue banded bee Amegilla cingulata along the coast.

The seeds were eaten by aborigines and comprised a major part of their diet at the end of winter. The seeds can be treated very similar to peanuts and have a similar taste, without the high oil content.

Cultivation:

Sterculia quadrifida is a magnificent small tree that should be grown in association with other rainforest specie. It is ideal at the edge of a rain forest or deep in the center of the rainforest close to the coast though I would be very tempted to grow the trees west of the Great Dividing Range where adequate moisture prevails throughout the year. In cultivation they will grow from 12 meters to 15 meters in height by 14 meters to 18 meters in diameter when grown in the open or taller and narrower if grown closer together as a rainforest tree.

They grow exceptionally well on lighter sandy soils to light medium clays where deep leaf litter keeps the soil cool and moisture at an even level. If these requirements are met they can cope with temperatures as low as minus 1 degree and up to 36 degrees. It is moderately drought resistant in their climatic zones.

Add to the above, if it is given an adequate supply of water and a little native fertilizer on a regular basis the plants should respond with good flowering and fruit over a long period.

It is ideal along long driveways and avenues or as a feature tree in a large garden bed. They also make great park trees offering rather quick growth and good shade.

The trees would make very good accent trees in front of low set commercial or industrial sheds where they will break up hard rigid architectural lines and give warmth and breadth to a building. This is especially the case where they could be grown in curves meandering towards the entry doors. For something different use them from the far corners close to the street and meander them back to near the front entry with shrubs or flowers planted between the trees and the building and the trees and the nature strip.

In front of high rise buildings they give balance with a warm friendly feeling.

Try using them in a court yard where the only other feature is a large rock, stump or formal or informal frog or fish pond. Next to such features their large leaves, small flowers and large fruits enticing yet are never overpowering. I am surprised that they have never been used in commercial entrances and foyers to break the ice and give a feeling of business as usual but somehow make the business more relaxing.

The large bright reddish-orange fruits make a spectacular display over a prolonged period and are just as showy when the fruits split and display the larges, ripe black seeds.

Propagation:

Seeds: The seeds of Sterculia quadrifida can be removed easily from the fruits.

Sow fresh seeds directly into 50mm native tubes using a good organic seed raising mix, keeping them moist not wet. Do not over water as the seeds will rot off before germination takes place. Place the trays in a cool shaded area with 50{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f} shade cloth in the bush house.

When the seedlings are 150 to 250mm tall, prick them out and plant them into 250mm pots or out into their permanent position. Do not allow them to become root bound as set back will occur.

Further Comments from Readers:

Sticherus flabellatus

Classification:

Unranked: Pteridiophyta

Class: Pteridopsida

Order: Gleicheniales

Family: Gleicheniacea

Genus: From stichos, which is Ancient Greek for a row or line. It refers to the sori being placed in a single row either side of the pinnae’s midrib.

Specie: From Flabellum, which is Latin for a fan shape. It refers to leaves or branches, which have a fan shape.

Variety: Sticherus flabellatus var. compactus. From Com/Cum, which is Latin for to come together and Pactum, which is Latin for to put away or bind together. It refers to flower heads, which are rather compressed or compacted together.

Variety: Sticherus flabellatus var. flabellatus. From Flabellum, which is Latin for a fan shape. It refers to leaves or branches, which have a fan shape.

Common Name: Umbrella Fern.

Distribution:

Sticherus flabellatus var. compactus is found in several disjunct populations south from the Jardine River National Park and across to Bamaga on Cape York Peninsular to Mackay in Queensland. It is found on and east of the Great Dividing Range to the coast.

Sticherus flabellatus var. flabellatus is found south from the Jardine River National Park and across to Bamaga on Cape York Peninsular to Orbost in Victoria. It is found on and east of the Great Dividing Range to the coast.

There is an isolated population along Rindarrie Creek in east Arnhem Land in the far north east corner of the Northern Territory.

https://avh.ala.org.au/occurrences/search?taxa=Sticherus+flabellatus#tab_mapView

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Sticherus flabellatus prefers dense shade to full sun. It grows in the mountains adjacent to warm sub-tropical rainforests, cool tropical rainforests, and warm temperate rainforests, along watercourses, drainage channels and road side verges. The altitude ranges from 5 meters ASL to 800 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from minus 4 degrees in July to 37 degrees in January.

The rainfalls range from lows of 850mm to 3200mm average per annum.

Soil Requirements:

Sticherus flabellatus prefers better quality sandy loams to medium clays. The soils are usually derived from decomposed sandstones, granites, brown basalt, black basalts or metamorphic rocks. The soils pH ranges from 4.5pH to 6pH. It tolerates water logged soils with plants often grow where it is inundated during small storms in riparian zones or continual seepage keeps the soils wet for weeks or even months after rain. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 0.5m to 1m by 1m to large areas of 100 to 200 square meters.

Characteristics:

Sticherus flabellatus rhizomes grows as a large fern with long, slender, creeping and sparsely covered in brown scales.

Sticherus flabellatus slender 50mm to 100mm long stipes are deep glossy brown and grass-green on the final rachises. The glabrous or sparsely scaly primary lateral stipes usually have 1 or 2 pairs of axis or at times 3 pairs of axis growing from the center point.

The fronds measure 500mm to 1000mm in height. The pinnules are at an angle of around 45 degrees to the glabrous rachis. The discolourous pinnules are glabrous, grass-green, semi glossy to glossy on the upper lamina while the lower lamina is much paler or slightly glaucous. The pinnules measure 20mm to 30mm in length by 2mm to 3.2mm in width. The margins are very finely toothed and flat while the apex is long tapering.

The fertile fronds are similar to the sterile fronds. Sticherus flabellatus’s angulated sori are irregularly spaced, midway between the mid vein and the margin from near the base for 50{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f} to 60{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f} of the lobes length of the pinnules.

Spores are small circular and yellow-brown in colour.

Confusing Species:

Sticherus flabellatus pinnules are at 40 to 50 degrees. The spore is in a single row 50 to 60{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f} from the margins. The pinnules near the base of axis are absent.

Sticherus lobatus are at 80 to 85 degrees. The spores are in clusters of 2 to 4, 30 to 40{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f} & 50 to 70{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f} of the distance from the margins. The pinnules are large near the bases of the axis.

Sticherus urceolatus pinnules are at 70 to 80 degrees. The spores are in clusters of 2 to 4 closer to the margin than the middle. There are scaly nodes at dichotomous forks.

Wildlife:

Sticherus flabellatus wildlife is unknown to the author.

Cultivation:

Sticherus flabellatus are excellent ferns for cultivation in wet shady areas but are difficult to establish. When the location is right they will thrive. It is ideal as a ground cover for areas where there is light shade with a little morning or afternoon sun where moisture is reliable.

They always look green and fresh giving a tropical look in a short time. It is most suitable on medium clays to heavy clay soils and are great for medium and large gardens close to the coast in warm temperate, warm sub-tropical or cool tropical gardens. As garden subjects they will colonize soils that have established rainforests, at the bottom of moist shady banks or between houses particularly on the southern side. It is cold tolerant to temperatures as low as minus 2 degrees once established though some frond burning may occur at lower temperatures to minus 4 degrees.

It is most suitable for use as a rainforest understory plant where they can break the monotony of large deep green leaves. They like plenty of leaf litter to help increase soil fertility, maintain soil moisture and to maintain a cool root zone.

Sticherus flabellatus are attractive clump-forming ferns and can be used very affectively either mass planted or as individual plants scattered throughout the garden.

Propagation:

Fern Spores: All ferns that are declared rare, vulnerable or endangered are protected by Federal and State Laws and must not be removed from the wild unless you are a land developer, forestry, mining company or main Roads department etc. This includes bulbs, roots, leaves and flowers. No part of any plant can be removed from Federal, State or Local Government land without the prior permission of the authority and this includes the spore.

Most people are put off at the thought of growing ferns from spore. Like all plants that produce their offspring from seed or spore the methods are basically the same. Remember nature has been doing this for millions of years and has been very successful. I have had excellent results growing over 200 different species of Australian ferns so don’t be afraid. Give it a go.

Step 1. Select spore from the fern fronds. Wait until the fern is just starting to release its spore. Rinse the fronds under clean running water and dry. This is to wash off any other spores from rogue ferns that may have settled onto the fronds. (There is nothing worse than having common brake or common soft bracken contaminating a prized tree fern or epiphyte.)

Step 2. Place the dry fronds in a clean brown paper bag and keep them in a cool dark place like the linen closet for about a week to ten days before you are ready to sow the spore. The exception to this rule applies to ferns, which produce green spores. These must be sown immediately that they are released. Todea Barbara is a good example of a fern, which produces green spore.

Step 3. Take a large ice cream container, a small ice cream container and a clean clear plastic bag large enough to seal the large ice cream container and three or four milk bottle tops.

Step 4. Punch or drill 6 to 10 5mm holes in the bottom of the small ice cream container.

Step 5. Wash both containers, tops and plastic bag so that they are very clean and sterile.

Step 6. Use a clean fine seed raising mi. We used 30{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f} fine sand, 30{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f} peat and 30{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f} perlite and 10{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f} vermiculite. We used crushed basalt, crusher dust and peat in a 50:50 ratio for epiphytes. Moisten the mix enough that water does not run out when the mix is squeezed between the fingers.

Step 7. Place the moisten mix (Enough to half fill the small ice cream container) in the microwave oven with a large glass of water for 7 or 8 minutes, until the water is boiling. Allow them to cool in the oven. You will need the water later so do not tip it out.

Step 8. Take the brown paper bag out of the linen closet. Shake the bag and remove the fronds. You should have a yellow, brown, black or rarely greenish brown or ochre powder or very fine, small round pin head size spore depending on the specie involved.

Step 9. Remove the mixture from the oven once it has cooled and place it in the small ice cream container and level.

Step 10. Sprinkle the spore sparsely over the mixture in the small ice cream container.

Step 11. Place the milk bottle tops in the large ice cream container with the flat surface facing down. Place the small ice cream container in the large ice cream container so that it is sitting on the milk bottle tops.

Step 12. Remove the water from the microwave and pour it into the larger ice cream container so there is 25mm to 30mm of water in the bottom.

Step 13. Place the ice cream containers in the plastic bag and seal. Step 14. Place the contents and bag in a warm shady place preferably 50{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f} to 70{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f} shade depending on the specie. Shade houses and some window sills are ideal.

Step 15. The surface should turn green within a week to two weeks. The prothallus will then develop. From the prthalus the first true fronds will appear. Wait until the ferns are 20mm to 35mm in height before you attempt to transplant them. Once they are ready open the bag up slightly and allow the air to flow around the little ferns. Every 3 to 5 days open the bag a little further so the ferns get use to their new environment. Allow them a week to two weeks to harden off before you transplant them following the removal of the plastic bag. Carefully prick them out into 50mm standard squat tubes as you would any seedling.

Do not try to transplant them as single plants as they are still a little delicate still.

Once the smaller ones again reach 50mm to 70mm you may wish to divide the stronger and hardier individual plants into smaller clumps in 100mm squat pots.

Step 16. We fertilized with seaweed, fish emulsion or organic chicken pellets soaked in water on an alternate basis until established. Fertilize every two months for one year even when in the ground.

Further Comments from Readers:

Sticherus lobatus

Classification:

Unranked: Pteridiophyta

Class: Pteridopsida

Order: Gleicheniales

Family: Gleicheniacea

Genus: From stichos, which is Ancient Greek for a row or line. It refers to the sori being placed in a single row either side of the pinnae’s midrib.

Specie: From Lobos/Lobī, which are Ancient Greek for an ear lobe. It refers to lobes at the forks of the stipes, which are more prominent on this species than other species in the genus.

Sub specie:

Common Name: Shield Fern or Spreading Fan Fern.

Distribution:

Sticherus lobatus is found in several disjunct populations south from near the Conondale National Park to Wilson’s Promontory and Seaford on Mornington Peninsular with a small population in the Great Ottway National park in southern Victoria.

In Tasmania it is found south west from Devonport to Smithton then across to Marrawah and down the west coast to Strahan. On the east coast it is found bounded by Hobart, South Bruny, South west National Park and north to around Tarraleah.

https://avh.ala.org.au/occurrences/search?taxa=Sticherus+lobatus#tab_mapView

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Sticherus lobatus prefer heavy shade to almost full sun. It grows in the mountains adjacent to warm sub-tropical rainforests, cool tropical rainforests, and warm temperate rainforests, along watercourses, drainage channels and road side verges. The altitude ranges from 5 meters ASL to 950 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from minus 5 degrees in July to 37 degrees in January.

The rainfalls range from lows of 850mm to 3200mm average per annum.

Soil Requirements:

Sticherus lobatus prefer to grow on better quality sandy loams to medium clays. The soils are derived from decomposed sandstones, granites, brown basalt, black basalts or metamorphic rocks. The soils pH ranges from 6pH to 7pH. It tolerates water logged soils with plants often grow where it is inundated during small storms in riparian zones or continual seepage keeps the soils moist for weeks or even months after rain. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 0.5m to 2m by 4m to large areas of 100 to 200 square meters.

Characteristics:

Sticherus lobatus rhizomes are long, thin, creeping and sparsely covered in brown fringed scales.

Sticherus lobatus slender 200mm to 1500mm long stipes are deep glossy brown and grass-green turning deep purple brown on the final rachises. The glabrous or sparsely scaly primary stipes usually have 1 to 3 pairs of axis or at times 4 pairs of axis growing from the center point.

The fronds measure 1200mm to 2000mm in height. The lateral pinnules at the base of the axis are broadly lanceolate to ovate with lobed margins and glabrous. These pinnules measure 10mm to 45mm in length by 16mm to 36mm. This is an easy way to quickly distinguish it from the other 2 native Sticherus as these pinnules are absent.

The pinnules are at an angle of around 80 to 85 degrees to the glabrous rachis. The discolourous pinnules are glabrous, grass-green, semi glossy to glossy on the upper lamina while the lower lamina is much paler or slightly glabrous. The pinnules measure 10mm to 45mm in length by 2mm to 4mm in width. The margins are very minutely crenate and flat while the apex is obtuse.

The fertile fronds are similar to the sterile fronds. Sticherus flabellatus’s orbicular sori are in groups of 2 to 4 midway between the mid vein and the margin and from near the base for 30{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f} to 40{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f} of the lobes length and again between 50{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f} to 70{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f} of the pinnules length.

Spores are small circular and yellow-brown in colour.

Confusing Species:

Sticherus urceolatus pinnules are at 70 to 80 degrees. The spores are in clusters of 2 to 4 closer to the margin than the middle. There are scaly nodes at dichotomous forks.

Wildlife:

Sticherus lobatus wildlife is unknown to the author.

Cultivation:

Sticherus lobatus are excellent ferns for cultivation in wet shady areas but are difficult to establish. When the location is right they will thrive. It is ideal as a ground cover for areas where there is light shade with a little morning or afternoon sun where moisture is reliable.

Sticherus lobatus are attractive clump-forming ferns and can be used very affectively either mass planted or as individual plants scattered throughout the garden.