Lecanopteris pustulata

Natural range of Lecanopteris pustulata

Its native range extends from southeastern Queensland through southeastern Australia and also includes Norfolk Island, Lord Howe Island and New Zealand. It grows on the ground, rocks, fallen logs, banks, cliffs and tree trunks from coastal areas into mountain habitats, often in open or somewhat drier fern sites.

Indoor care for Lecanopteris pustulata

• Light: Give the fern bright indirect light or partial shade.
• Temperature: Keep temperatures around 16–24 °C. Avoid prolonged temperatures below 5 °C. Keep the fern in a warm room and protect it from cold draughts and sudden temperature changes.
• Humidity: Maintain roughly 60–80% humidity with light air circulation through the leaves. High humidity supports healthy fronds, especially in heated rooms.
• Water: Water thoroughly as the surface of the potting mix begins to dry, keeping the mix lightly moist around the roots and allowing excess water to drain.
• Potting mix: Use a loose, airy fern mix with coarse bark. Let the creeping stem sit on top of the mix, where it can root as it grows.
• Feeding: Give a half-strength balanced liquid feed about once a month while new fronds are growing.
• Repotting: Replace compacted mix. When the creeping stem fills the pot, provide more surface room and keep the stem on top of the fresh mix.
• Propagation: Divide an established plant into sections with roots and a healthy growing point, or grow new plants from spores.

Frond, Stem and Pest Checks for Lecanopteris pustulata

• Brown frond tips: Dry compost or low humidity can dry the edges. Check both conditions: water thoroughly when the mix is dry, and raise humidity when the room air is dry.
• Creeping stem or roots become soft and dark: Excess water or slow drainage can cause rot. Use a clean disinfected tool to remove the damaged tissue until only firm healthy sections remain. Discard the damaged tissue and replant the healthy sections in fresh, loose fern mix.
• New fronds stay pale and small: Weak light or too little fertiliser can keep new fronds pale and small. Move the fern into brighter indirect light and give a light balanced feed while new fronds are growing.
• Cottony pests, fine webbing or scale-like bumps: Mealybugs, spider mites or scale insects may be present. Inspect the fronds and creeping stem, remove visible pests, then use a treatment labelled for the pest and repeat it according to the label.

Keep Lecanopteris pustulata away from children and pets

• Keep this plant away from children, cats and dogs.
• Its effects after chewing or swallowing are unclear, and plant material can still cause an upset stomach.
• Contact a veterinarian or medical professional if symptoms develop or do not settle.

What does Lecanopteris pustulata mean, and who first published it?

Lecanopteris combines Greek lekane, meaning basin, with pteris, meaning fern, referring to the hollowed rhizomes found in the genus. The species epithet pustulata means blistered and refers to the raised spore-producing areas on the fronds.

Caspar Georg Carl Reinwardt established the genus Lecanopteris in 1825 in Flora, volume 8, issue 2, supplement, page 48.

Johann Georg Adam Forster first described it as Polypodium pustulatum in 1786 in Flora Insularum Australium, page 81. Leon R. Perrie and Patrick J. Brownsey later placed it in Lecanopteris as Lecanopteris pustulata in 2021 in Blumea, volume 66, page 246.