Rock Ferns - natives
Green Rock Fern (Cheilanthes austrotenuifolia) and
Narrow Rock Fern (Cheilanthes sieberi)

Family: Adiantaceae (Maidenhair family).

Natives of Australia.

Occurrence: Widespread, particularly on rocky hilltops. Both grow in grasslands, grassy woodlands and in forest areas.

• they resemble small bracken ferns
• height is usually to 30 cm.

The two ferns are sometimes difficult to distinguish.

Green Rock-fern (Cheilanthes austrotenuifolia)

• The fronds (leaves) are broad and divided into segments which are again once or twice divided into leaflets.
• The leaf-stalk has scattered pale scales.
• The scales are a uniform pale colour.

Narrow Rock-fern (Cheilanthes sieberi)

• The fronds are narrow and twice divided.
• The frond divisions are widely spaced.
• The leaf stalks have scattered hairs (not scales).
• The scales at the base of the leaf stalk have a dark streak.

They are perennials. Both are resurrection plants i.e. they die down in hot weather, and quickly become green again with adequate rainfall. Narrow Rock-fern is reputed to be poisonous to stock.