About Tmesipteris obliqua Chinnock
Tmesipteris obliqua, commonly called the long fork-fern or common fork-fern, is a weeping, epiphytic fern ally with narrow unbranched leafy stems. It belongs to the genus Tmesipteris, which is commonly known as hanging fork-ferns. Tmesipteris is one of two genera in the order Psilotales; the other genus in this order is Psilotum. This species is endemic to eastern Australia. As an epiphyte, Tmesipteris obliqua is most often found growing on the trunks of tree-ferns, particularly the soft tree-fern Dicksonia antarctica. It occasionally grows on shady, moist rock faces. It is widespread and common between sea level and 600 metres above sea level, found in fern gully communities, rainforests, and wet sclerophyll forests. The species grows best in moist, shady, humid, rocky environments, and can grow in mossy logs, on rock, or in soil among exposed roots. Its distribution is concentrated along eastern Australia. Due to its epiphytic growth habit, T. obliqua grows best in high rainfall, heavy shade, and humid conditions near rocky surfaces. Its very specific growth requirements, combined with the delicate nature of the species, make it extremely difficult to cultivate.
