Teratophyllum aculeatum

Teratophyllum aculeatum is a species of fern in the genus Teratophyllum, family Dryopteridaceae, with a broad native range across tropical Asia, including Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Malesia (Borneo, Java, Maluku, Sumatra, Sulawesi, the Philippines), Thailand, New Guinea, and nearby regions. It grows in evergreen rainforests, often starting on the ground or among leaf litter and soil before climbing up tree trunks. The fern has a slender, creeping or climbing rhizome, and its fronds are dimorphic: sterile fronds are larger and more leafy, while fertile fronds are narrower with pinnae bearing sporangia on their underside.

Care Tips:

• Growing medium & mounting — Use a loose, well‑draining substrate (e.g. bark, coarse mix, or soil‑leaf‑litter mix), or mount it on wood/ bark if possible. Since rhizomes climb, mounting helps simulate natural growth.

• Light — Provide shaded to filtered light rather than direct sunlight — akin to understory rainforest conditions.

• Humidity & Moisture — High humidity and consistent moisture (but with good drainage) are ideal — like a rainforest environment. Avoid letting the substrate dry out completely.

• Space to climb — Because the plant naturally climbs, allow room (e.g. a small trunk, mossy stick, or tall mounting surface) for it to spread upward.

• Fertile vs sterile fronds — Expect different frond forms: fertile fronds will be narrower and produce spores underside; sterile fronds will be broader.