Drynaria sparsisora (Basket Fern)

Drynaria sparsisora is a large tropical fern in the Polypodiaceae family, native to Southeast Asia and northern Australia. Its natural range extends from Indochina through Malaysia and Indonesia to eastern Queensland, where it grows in humid forests as an epiphyte on trees, a lithophyte on rocks, or occasionally as a terrestrial plant. No widely accepted common name is known specifically for this species, although members of the genus Drynaria are commonly referred to as Basket Ferns because of their distinctive growth habit.

One of the most remarkable features of Drynaria sparsisora is the presence of two very different types of fronds. The sterile fronds form broad nest-like baskets around the rhizome. As they age, they turn brown and collect fallen leaves, bark, and other organic debris, gradually creating a natural compost layer that helps nourish the plant. The fertile fronds are much longer and deeply divided, giving the fern its dramatic appearance. This species is named for its characteristic sori, the spore-producing structures found on the undersides of fertile fronds. Unlike the more orderly rows often seen in the closely related Drynaria quercifolia, the round sori of D. sparsisora are scattered irregularly along the veins, a feature reflected in the name sparsisora, meaning "scattered sori." Drynaria sparsisora grows best in warm, humid conditions with bright filtered light and is suitable for USDA Zones 10-12. It is an excellent choice for tropical gardens, mounted displays, and large containers where its unusual basket-forming habit can be fully appreciated.