Asplenium australasicum (Smith) Hook.
Large, usually epiphytic fern with simple, stiff, erect, bright green fronds arranged in a circular form to resemble a large bird’s nest. [RHSD, Hortus, FNSW].
Horticultural & Botanical History
Introduced to Britain in 1820 from the East Indies as Asplenium nidus. [JD].
History at Camden Park
Macarthur wrote to Loddiges’ nursery on 1st February, 1849: ‘I brought up a quantity of Arborescent Ferns and Coryphas from Illawarra more than six months since but none of them are strong enough to bear the voyage yet. The supply I send now of the latter will probably be sufficient until the others are fit. I will fit in a collection of Ferns from Illawarra but it would greatly assist me if you could send me a list of known sps. which you wish to get and a second list of those you have in abundance. Some of the finest such as Asplenium nidus [Bird’s Nest fern], Acrostichum alcicorne [Elk’s Horn] etc are natives of other parts of the world as well and you have them I do not doubt.’ [MP A2933-1, p.185].
Notes
The form of Asplenium nidus L. growing in Australia is now regarded by most as a separate species, Asplenium australasicum (Smith) Hook.
Published Feb 11, 2009 - 02:00 PM | Last updated Sep 01, 2010 - 05:41 PM
| Family | Aspleniaceae |
|---|---|
| Category | |
| Region of origin | Asia to Australia |
| Synonyms |
|
| Common Name | Birds-nest fern |
| Name in the Camden Park Record | Asplenium nidus |
| Confidence level | high |