Abstract. Soil and luminous growth conditions of 10 rare or protected fern species found in habitats of Southern Poland were examined. Apart from biometrical measurements, pH and organic mater of soil were marked. Plants' lighting was adjusted in relation to full lighting too.

Soil and light growth conditions of selected fern species
in habitats of southern Poland

Summary

In 12 micro regions of Southern Poland, in natural habitats, were executed biometrical measurements of 10 rare or protected fern species in majority of decorative values. In the turf and soil the value of pH and the content of organic matter were marked. The light conditions in which plants grew were estimated defining minimum, average and maximum of their lighting. The studied species differ in size. Three groups were distinguished: low – up to 19.9 cm, medium – up to 44.1 cm and high – 124 cm. The soil requirements were diverse, in peculiar to pH of ground. In alkaline (7.4-7.8) grew: Asplenium ruta-muraria, Asplenium trichomanes, Phyllitis scolopendium, Polystichum aculeatum, in subacid (5.6-6.5): Matteucia struthiopteris, Botrychium lunaria, Asplenium viride, and in acid (3.7-5.5): Osmunda regalis, Blechnum spicant, Polypodium vulgare.

Ferns’ light requirements are diverse too. Extremely tolerant are: Asplenium ruta-muraria, Asplenium trichomanes, Matteucia struthiopteris, Polystichum aculeatum, Botrychium lunaria. To extremely photophobic they belong: Asplenium viride, Blechnum spicant. They grow in half-reduced full lighting: Phyllitis scolopendium and Polypodium vulgare.