Blechnum niponicum ("Shishigashira")

Japanese name: シシガシラ （獅子頭）
Scientific name: Blechnum niponicum

[Overview]
An evergreen terrestrial fern found in mountain grasslands and along roadsides near villages.
The rhizome is massive, ascending, and bears many scales.
The scales are linear with a pointed tip, rather thick and dark brown.
The leaves are of two forms: sterile leaves tufted radially from the rhizome, and erect fertile leaves.
Young leaves are tinged with red.
The sterile leaves are once pinnate, about 40 cm long and 10 cm wide, with a short petiole; the pinnae are attached almost to the base.
The sterile leaves have 30 or more pairs of pinnae, each linear and slightly sickle-shaped, with entire margins.
The upper surface of the pinnae has a shallow groove along the midrib.
The fertile leaves are narrower than the sterile leaves, erect, with sparsely set pinnae.
The sori are linear and extend long along the midrib of the fertile leaf.

[Cultivation]
Propagate by spores.
It prefers partial shade and soil that is well drained and retains moisture.
Take care that it does not dry out; for potted plants, from spring to autumn water thoroughly when the soil surface dries, and keep it on the dry side in winter.
For plants in the ground, rainfall is sufficient.
It prefers high humidity in the air, so mist the leaves with a sprayer.
Apply diluted liquid fertilizer in spring and autumn.
There are no particular pests or diseases.

[Notes]
The Japanese name is said to come from the rhizome densely covered with dark brown scales being likened to a lion's head (shishigashira).

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