Dicranopteris is placed in the homosporous family Gleicheniacea, commonly known as the ‘Forked Fern'. Dicranopteris is derived from the Greek words dikranos and pteris, meaning 'two headed' and 'fern' respectively. This term relates to the way the blades dichotomously branch. This genus currently recognizes 12 species, only one of which occurs in Australia. Dicranopteris occupy peaty sand or rocky habitats, usually condensing into thickets that are 2-3 meters high.
Dicranopteris can be found across pantropical and temperate regions of Australasia and New Caledonia. Despite being a tropical fern, Dicranopteris has also been found in semi-arid to arid regions including central Australia, Africa, Asia, Polynesia and New Zealand.
For distribution within Australia see: https://florabase.dpaw.wa.gov.au/browse/map/20891
Dicranopteris are terrestrial ferns that occupy peaty sand or rocky habitats. The tropical fern is commonly found in marginal areas of forests, open hillsides and road cuttings. Dicranopteris linearis colonize into dense thickets (3 meters deep) and usually spreads over small shrubs, climbing over taller vegetation.
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