Polypodium formosanum

Polypodium formosanum (correctly actually Goniophlebium formosanum ) originates from Taiwan.

This medium-sized, slow-growing polypody fern is immediately noticeable for its bluish-green rhizomes, which is why it's also known as the "caterpillar fern" in English. The rhizomes resemble butterfly caterpillars. The growth tips are turquoise. The fronds reach a maximum length of 60 cm, but usually remain between 20 and 30 cm, even in larger plants. Mature plants develop sori, clusters of sporangia, on the underside of the fronds. In P. formosanum, these are clustered in small, round depressions, which can then be seen as bumps on the upper surface of the frond. This gives the frond a unique texture and is immediately eye-catching. Our plants are propagated from rhizome cuttings of a mature mother plant and therefore already exhibit these bumpy leaves, even though they are still quite small!

P. formosanum is an epiphyte and in nature climbs trees and rocks using its rhizome. In a terrarium, it can therefore be particularly well attached to thicker branches or backgrounds, where it will eventually form a dense carpet of branching rhizomes. However, it grows quite slowly.

It can also be kept as a houseplant and is even said to be (conditionally) winter-hardy, as it can withstand light frosts down to -2°C. However, we were unable to test this ourselves and do not recommend it as a garden plant.



You will receive a rooted section of our mother plant with 1 to 2 fronds in a 7cm pot.