November’s weed of the month Fishbone or Herringbone Fern is quite common in older style gardens. It can be seen in every suburb in Noosa and probably every street. Dumping of garden waste has helped this fern find its way into Bushland reserves. The water nodules on the roots of this plant allow it to survive the dry times and means it can out compete native vegetation.

Being a fern, this plant looks inconspicuous and is often thought of as a native. It also means it isn’t spread as easily as a plant with bird eating berries. While not as concerning as other weeds, Fishbone fern should never be disposed of into bushland or allowed to spread through a boundary fence. In a garden situation keep the fern contained to one area until there is the time or resources to replace it. In the case of Fishbone fern “something is better than nothing”. It does provide a good cover for reptiles to move about.

Removal is easy by pulling out of the ground but be careful to collect the roots which often break off.

Native replacement species are Bungwall fern ( Blechnum indicum ), Bitung (Christella dental) – a shade loving fern, or for a non-fern option Midjim berry (Austromyrutus dulcis ).

More information on Fishbone fern can be found on page 103 of Weeds of the Sunshine coast, 2nd edition.