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Filmy fern

Hymenophyllum

Also called Filmy Ferns, Mauku

Filmy fern
Photo: by Thomas Moore; edited by John Lindley; nature-printed by Henry Bradbury., Public domain

Hymenophyllum is a genus of tiny, translucent ferns named for their membranous, one-cell-thick fronds, and the common name filmy fern covers this and related thin-leaved ferns. Commonly grown members need constant high humidity and shade, since their fronds dry out very quickly.

Family
Hymenophyllaceae (Hymenophyll family)
Grows as
Fern
Light
Shade
Water
Keep the medium constantly moist and never let it dry out; mist or keep under a humid cover.
Soil
Fine, moisture-retentive, acidic mix such as sphagnum moss or a peat-based blend.
Temperature
13–22 °C; avoid heat above about 25 °C and protect from frost.
How easy
Hard

About

Hymenophyllum is a genus of ferns in the family Hymenophyllaceae. Its name means "membranous leaf", referring to the very thin translucent tissue of the fronds, which gives rise to the common name filmy fern for this and other thin-leaved ferns. The leaves are generally only one cell thick and lack stomata, making them vulnerable to desiccation. Consequently, they are found only in very humid areas, such as in moist forests and among sheltered rocks. They are small and easy to overlook.

Text excerpted from the Wikipedia article Hymenophyllum by its contributors, under CC BY-SA 4.0; the excerpts and the care summary drawn from them are shared under the same licence.

The care summary was written by AI (Claude, Anthropic) from the sources on this page, with general growing knowledge where they are silent. Check before relying on it.

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