Drynaria quercifolia 'Variegata' / Variegated Oak Leaf Fern

This plant pictured is the plant for sale. Shipped in a 4” pot. The last photos of are the mother plant, NFS

     This is the variegated form of the stunning ‘Basket Fern’, or ‘Oakleaf Fern. Drynaria quercifolia gets its two common names from the highly unique and specialized basal fronds that form a basket-structure to collect fallen debris. The fronds will remain on the plant even after drying, resembling an upright pile of fallen oak leaves. The reason for catching falling leaves and fruit is so that this debris can decompose and feed the plant directly as its roots. This is very similar to Platycerium, the Staghorn Ferns.

     This ingenious adaption has allowed it to colonize tree branches from India all the way to Australia. Whatmore, the plant is dimorphic, meaning it produces two different kinds of fronds on the same plant. There are shield basket fronds, then there are the fertile fronds whose primary purpose is to bear spores and photosynthesize. Another unusual aspect of this fern is that it goes dormant in the winter. In dormancy, the shield fronds will turn brown, and the fertile fronds will disappear until reemergence in the spring.

     Keep this plant in an area that receives bright, indirect light and good ventilation. It can even tolerate direct sunlight in the morning and late afternoon. During the growing season, keep the media constantly moist. Once it enters dormancy, only water the plant once the mix has completely dried out. Dormancy lasts from December-April in my subtropical climate. Once this plant has outgrown its 4” pot, put it in a hanging basket or mount it. In subtropical to tropical areas, it can be easily attached to trees or wood posts, like an orchid. Drynaria quercifolia will produce its signature shield fronds when the rhizome is exposed to air.