Fern Society of South Australia Inc

At Right

A sporling attached to a prothallus. This is a Cyathea (treefern) species.

The spore has germinated and grows a prothallus
(the first growth, shown in lower part of the plant
in the image) this has the male and female parts.

When fertilization had occurred, this produced a tiny sporeling or fernlet (the second growth) the fern like plant in the image, small roots are emerging below.

If possible, when pricking out the sporelings,
take the prothallus as well
as it contains nutrients needed for good early growth.