Pteris cretica L.

Cretan Brake

Fronds tufted, erect, to 60 cm long, divided once. Fertile fronds taller with a longer stalk and narrower segment than the sterile fronds. Blades triangular or broadly ovate in outline. Segments in 2-5 pairs, papery, pale green, not fused at base along midrib; margins toothed; often the basal pair each forked to produce an additional dowardly-projecting segment.

Needs shelter and warmth.

Tropics & subtropics.

Fronds with few linear, ribbon-like segments, the fertile ones more than 5 mm wide; cf. P. ensiformis.

Source: Spencer, R. (1995). Pteridaceae. In: Spencer, R.. Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 1, Ferns, conifers & their allies. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.

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Pteris cretica 'Albolineata Alexandrae'

As for 'Albolineata' but the tips of the branches crested. Origin unknown.

Pteris cretica 'Albolineata'

With a broad silvery white streak down the centre of each segment. Origin unknown.

Pteris cretica 'Distinction'

Segments profusely, deeply and irregularly lobed; branch tips with short finger-like extensions. Origin unknown.

Pteris cretica 'Ouvrardii'

Fast-growing. Segments broad. Origin unknown.

Pteris cretica 'Parkeri'

Fast-growing. Segments broad. Origin unknown.

Pteris cretica 'Riverstoniana'

Segments with deeply and irregularly divided edges. Origin unknown.

Pteris cretica 'Wimsettii'

Segments with long lobes. Origin unknown.

kingdom Plantae
phylum   Tracheophyta
class    Polypodiopsida
order     Polypodiales
family      Pteridaceae
genus       Pteris L.