Fern-like plant growing in my pots...

[Pierre]

Hello Ausbonsai community,

I am trying to put a name on a plant that grows in my pots, and I have seen it in many pots, bonsai or not..
They will get much bigger, around 30cm I guess, and turn reddish from memory...
Thanks in advance,
Pierre-Antoine

[melbrackstone]

I have that growing in a fair few of mine too, I did know the name of it, am looking now. I believe it's an ancient plant that's *apparently* quite rare!

PlantNet gives me Psilotum nudum

This might be helpful? https://www.environment.gov.au/system/f ... allies.pdf

[Pierre]

Thanks a lot Mel. Yes I did hear indeed it is supposedly a fairly old specie, pre-fern ish....

[shibui]

Not much to go on in those photos but from the shape of the new shoots my guess is some sort of asparagus fern which can be a weed in many places.
Some open fronds will make it much easier to narrow down the possibilities.

[shibui]

On second thoughts, and a re-read of the info given, asparagus fern grows bigger and does not turn reddish so disregard my first guess. Must be a northern weed so Mel is more likely to have the answer.

[melbrackstone]

It's definitely Psilotum nudum or Fork fern

[melbrackstone]

This is one that's been allowed to have its head.

2021-08-29T07_26_53+10_00-01.jpg

[Pierre]

Hi Mel and Shibui,

I would like to confirm Psilotum nudum, or whisk fern.
There is one in another potted fig. Interesting plants...

[melbrackstone]

yup, that it! Clearly yours gets more sun than mine, so it's much more compact. They are interesting, but happily take over if you let them. They don't have roots, so are easy to pull out.