Family: Polypodiaceae
Common name: Fishtail fern, Crested fern, Keluwah
Fishtail fern is an epiphytic fern very commonly seen in Singapore, growing on tree trunks, rocky surfaces, and even on the ground.
Ferns are loved by gardeners all over the world for their beautiful green, glossy, feathery leaves that come in a variety of shapes and sizes.
Plant characteristics
Like all ferns, these Fishtail ferns can grow as epiphytes on other plants and trees, or as lithophytes on rocky surfaces. They have thin, long roots called rhizomes that absorb moisture and nutrition from the air or the soil to sustain the plant.
They grow to a height of 50-60 cm with long, glossy, leathery leaves with distinct, thickened venation. The margins are smooth at the base and the tips could be smooth or wavy or serrated based on the variant.
One of the most common variants is Microsorum punctatum ‘grandiceps’ with forked leaves that end in fine serrations that are very pretty. These variants are therefore very popular among gardeners and landscapers.
Like most ferns, Fishtail fern also produces large rosettes with multiple leaves emerging from the center of the plant and curling beautifully outwards.
Ferns are typical ‘leafy plants’ since they do not product any flowers or fruits. They reproduce through microscopic spores that are released from structures called sori located underneath the leaves.
If you lift mature leaves of ferns and check underneath, you can see these sori scattered around like small brown dots measuring 2-5 mm.
Gardening tips
Fishtail ferns do not like bright, direct sunlight. They do well in partial, filtered sunlight and high humidity making them ideal for corners where there is no sunlight. These ferns can also be grown indoors near a sunny window or balcony.
Make sure the soil is well-drained and loose with some pieces of bark or coconut husk mixed in. Ferns grow well in hot, humid, tropical weather and thrive with very little care. Regular watering is needed to keep the soil and the hanging roots moist.
Ferns have some medicinal uses in the treatment of wounds, constipation, and urinary disorders. They can remove pollutants like formaldehyde, benzene, and toluene from the atmosphere according to a study by NASA.
They look absolutely stunning near water bodies or indoor pools adding greenery to dreary, dark areas. Fishtail ferns can be grown on tree trunks, or also as effective ground cover or border plants.
Propagation
Propagation is through spores or by root division.
Spores can be collected and dried from mature fronds, and sowed in a rich, sterilized medium that has compost, peat, perlite, and bark powder. It takes 2-3 months to germinate and develop into ferns that can replanted. Meanwhile, keep the medium in a hot, moist location. Root division is easier since you can get reasonably large individual plants from a mature fern that has filled the pot.
If you are growing ferns on the ground, they will automatically produce new plants all around from their long roots and spread quickly over large areas.
Photographed at: Botanical garden, Singapore
