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A large New Zealand filmy fern that grows mostly as an epiphyte on tree trunks and logs in shaded, humid forest. It needs constant moisture and high humidity, so it suits only very damp, sheltered conditions.
Hymenophyllum dilatatum, commonly known by its Māori name matua mauku, is a filmy fern of Hymenophyllaceae in the genus Hymenophyllum. It is the largest of the New Zealand filmy ferns. Hymenophyllum dilatatum was first described in 1786 by German naturalist and author, Georg Forster, under the basionym Trichomanes dilatatum.
Hymenophyllum dilatatum is found in humid, temperate and rainforest environments. This species is usually found in kauri, podocarp, beech and broadleaved forests and found at altitude that ranges between sea level to over 1,060 metres (3,480 ft). Hymenophyllum dilatatum primarily grows as an epiphyte. A key advantage of an epiphyte is the increased supply of light; however, this species tends to be found in the shaded parts of forests and does not need increased light supply. The branches and leaves of trees serve to direct rainwater to the epiphyte, which is beneficial as H. dilatatum prefers moist conditions. It has also been found growing on fallen logs and occasionally on rock faces. Hymenophyllum dilatatum is very rarely found growing as a terrestrial fern, although when it is found to be terrestrial the typical habitat is rich humus soil, the same type of organic matter that forms and collects on tree trunks. Humus contains mycelia which aids in the establishment of epiphytes because it can utilise the fungal hyphae to assist in absorption of water and nutrients.
Hymenophyllum alveolatum · Austral Filmy Fern · Hymenophyllum bivalve · Hymenophyllum brachypus · Creeping Filmy Fern · Hymenophyllum cristatum · Hymenophyllum cruentum · Common Filmy Fern · Drooping Filmy Fern · Falkland Filmy Fern · Fan Like Filmy Fern · Hymenophyllum helicoideum
Text excerpted from the Wikipedia article Hymenophyllum dilatatum 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.
Life form, climate and native range: World Checklist of Vascular Plants, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (CC BY 3.0), reformatted; see Plants of the World Online.
