Midstorey

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False bracken Calochlaena dubia

Also called Rainbow fern

Previously known as Culcita dubia

When it flowers

Ferns (Calochlaena dubia) growing at Chatswood West, Australia. Fronds hairy and with green stems. Growing on Ashfield Shale and Hawkesbury Sandstone based soils, in semi shade under Blackbutt and Tu…
Ferns (Calochlaena dubia) growing at Chatswood West, Australia. Fronds hairy and with green stems. Growing on Ashfield Shale and Hawkesbury Sandstone based soils, in semi shade under Blackbutt and Tu…. Photo: Poyt448 Peter Woodard, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Calochlaena dubia, Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Gardens
Calochlaena dubia, Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Gardens. Photo: Casliber, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Common Ground Fern, Calochlaena dubia. A bit like bracken, only softer. Garawarra State Recreation Area, NSW Australia. May 2013.
Common Ground Fern, Calochlaena dubia. A bit like bracken, only softer. Garawarra State Recreation Area, NSW Australia. May 2013.. Photo: John Tann from Sydney, Australia, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

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Soft, spreading ground fern that copes with dry shade and fills large areas.

A soft-fronded ground fern that spreads by underground stems into a patch. Unlike most ferns it copes with dry shade once established, which makes it useful under eucalypts. It can spread widely in good conditions.

In the garden

  • Mass planting
  • Banks and slopes
  • Under trees
Flowers
Inconspicuous
Leaves
Soft, light green, lacy fronds.
Attracts
Shelter for small wildlife

Growing conditions

Climate
Subtropical and temperate
Light
Part shade to full shade
Soil
Sandy and loam
Drainage
Needs good drainage
Frost
Moderate frost
Water
Some dry spells
Coast
Sheltered coastal gardens

Planting and care

Grown from
Division

Planting

Part shade to shade. Give it room to spread, or contain it with paths or edging.

Pruning

Cut off old brown fronds at the base. Can be mown back to refresh a tired patch.

Care

Water while establishing; then hardy.

Where it comes from

Family
Dicksoniaceae
Order
Cyatheales
Native to
New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria
Natural range
Open forest and gullies of eastern Queensland, NSW and eastern Victoria.

Where to buy

Specialist native nurseries.

We don't have stockists listed for this plant yet. Local native nurseries are often the best place to ask.

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Further reading

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