Tectaria zeilanica

Oak Leaf Fern, Oakleaf Fern

A miniature fern from the tropical forests of Sri Lanka, southern India, and Southeast Asia, recognised by its sterile fronds that are shaped almost exactly like small oak leaves. In the wild it grows as a lithophyte on rocks and shaded forest floors, which is why it thrives under the stable humidity and low light of a closed terrarium. It is a very slow grower with shallow, wiry roots — well suited to the confined space of a planted vivarium. Adult plants remain compact at 10–20 cm tall, making it useful wherever a fine, textured layer of greenery is needed.