Pellaea falcata (Sickle Fern)

Pellaea falcata is a striking Australian native fern, valued for its elegant, arching fronds and architectural form. Growing from long-creeping rhizomes covered with narrow-ovate scales, it can form spreading colonies in shaded rocky outcrops, woodland floors, and sheltered garden areas.

The fronds range from 37–105 cm long, with stipes making up 20–30% of the frond length. Both stipe and rachis are adorned with delicate scales and fine hairs, giving the fern a textured appearance. Each lamina carries 27–65 oblong to linear-oblong pinnae (sometimes more), shortly stalked or sessile, dark green above and pale beneath, with mostly entire margins.

Sori occur in a continuous band about 1 mm wide along the underside of pinnae, protected by a membranous indusium, ensuring efficient spore dispersal. Pellaea falcata is perfect for shaded gardens, rockeries, and naturalistic landscaping, adding structure and elegance to any planting.