Hare's-foot Fern

Appearance

''Davallia canariensis'' is a spreading, deciduous fern with thick, scaly rhizomes and broad, finely-divided fronds, it grows up to 50 cm tall and 100 cm broad.

Distribution

''Davallia canariensis'' is found on the western Mediterranean Basin, from Cape Verde, the Canary Islands and Madeira to Morocco and the western Iberian Peninsula . It grows on tree trunks and branches, mossy siliceous rocks in cool and humid places with oceanic influences, from sea-level to 600 m in altitude. The Latin specific epithet ''canariensis'' means "from the Canary Islands".

As it is only hardy down to 5 °C , in temperate climates it must be grown under glass as a houseplant. However, it may be placed outside in a sheltered spot during the summer months. It has an Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society.

Habitat

''Davallia canariensis'' is found on the western Mediterranean Basin, from Cape Verde, the Canary Islands and Madeira to Morocco and the western Iberian Peninsula . It grows on tree trunks and branches, mossy siliceous rocks in cool and humid places with oceanic influences, from sea-level to 600 m in altitude. The Latin specific epithet ''canariensis'' means "from the Canary Islands".

As it is only hardy down to 5 °C , in temperate climates it must be grown under glass as a houseplant. However, it may be placed outside in a sheltered spot during the summer months. It has an Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society.