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by Lachlan Turner
Quite frequently overlooked by many people who venture into local bushland are those plants growing close to the ground and in sheltered , damp locations , often concealed close to rocky places near to permanent sources of water .
Many such terrestrial plants are classified under the broad heading of ferns . The ground hugging varieties present with a deep , lush green colour with soft , delicate and often lacy foliage ,
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clumped together in colonies .
In Australia , around 400 species have been identified , with about 120 being found in the greater Sydney area . The photographs will help in identifying some exquisite ferns growing in our local bushland reserves .
The overall size of each fern may be gauged by comparing the sizes of adjacent leaves on the ground nearby , which may range from about 50mm to 150mm in length . These plants have been thriving in their favoured habitat long
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before flowering plants existed . They not only require moisture to grow and thrive , but also need reliable moisture in order to reproduce .
Reproduction for many ferns is by means of spores which are stuck to the underside of fronds . Released spore material requires constantly moist conditions in which to successfully germinate .
Although the immature fern requires some light , protection from direct sunlight is also a key factor as the juvenile
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fern grows to maturity .
There are other ferns which multiply by forming spreading rhizomes ( roots ) which lay just below the surface of decomposing leaf litter .
Another fern which can become a pest if not controlled , is the Bracken Fern ( Pteridium esculentum ). This is a widespread perennial found in open forests and woodland fringes .
It has the tendency to severely compete with other plants on the forest floor thus preventing their germination .
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