Polystichum proliferum

Common Name:

Mother Shield-fern

Family:

Distribution (from Flora of Victoria):

Murray Mallee, Lowan Mallee, Wimmera, Riverina (CDEJKNPRSTVWYZ) also NSW, Tas with doubtful reports from Qld, SA, NT
Map - Australasian Virtual Herbarium

Distribution and ecological preference at Wilsons Promontory (if known):

Widespread fern species found on moist, shaded sites in woodlands and forests ¹

Flower Description:

N/A

Habit:

Medium to tall ground fern which can form a trunk in older plants. Fronds to 1.5 m ¹

Distinguishing characteristics (within family/genus):

This fern has bulbils (small plantlets) budding from near the tip of the rachis ²

Images:

Links to more images:

Atlas of Living Australia MELU

Links to description of this species:

Flora of Australia Utas VicFlora

Conservation status:

Not threatened

References:

¹ Meagher, D. and Kohout, M. (2001). “A field guide to Wilsons Promontory”. Oxford University Press, South Melbourne, Vic.
² Walsh, N. G. and Entwisle, T. J. “Flora of Victoria”, volumes 2 (1994), 3 (1996) and 4 (1999). Inkata Press, Port Melbourne, Victoria