Hillebrand's brake fern in a landscape with other native plants. Photos display the marginal sori arrangement, as well as a close-up, on the underside of a frond and the top surface of a frond. The rather passive nature of this fern allows it to grow in mixed company with other plants such as the native Selaginella arbuscula and a Stanhopea sp. orchid without overwhelming them.

Growth Requirements

General

    Hillebrand's brake fern is a versatile plant that thrives in various settings, including containers (indoors or outdoors), hanging baskets, as an accent fern, or in the landscape to complement other native plants. While it may not grow rapidly as some other native ferns (e.g., neke, palapalai), it is low-maintenance and flourishes in shady, moist environments with nutrient-rich potting soil containing plenty of organic matter. Periodically, it can be divided into multiple plants or left to grow into impressive showcase specimens. This fern is not drought-tolerant and will completely perish if not watered regularly.

Pests and Diseases

    At times, scale, thrips, or mealybugs are seen on the fronds. Refer to the Pests & Diseases page for treatments.  

Special Features and Information

General

    Pteris hillebrandii is one of three endemic species, the others being P. irregularis and P. lidgatei, as well as two indigenous (P. cretica, P. terminalis var. terminalis) that are native to the Hawaiian Islands, belonging to Pteridaceae or Brake fern family [Flora of the Hawaiian Islands]. There are also two naturalized species. One is the ubiquitous, often weedy, Chinese brake fern or Ladder brake (Pteris vittata). It can be found growing in many residential yards, usually coming up as a volunteer plant, and sometimes even intentionally cultivated by the homeowners due to its handsome fronds.

Hawaiian Name

    No known Hawaiian name for this fern. Therefore, on this website, we have chosen to use Hillebrand's brake fern.

Etymology

    The generic name Pteris is from the Greek pteris, fern, from pteron, wing, feather, in reference to the frond shape. An ancient name for ferns in general [Gledhill 2008]. The specific epithet hillebrandii is named in for William Hillebrand (1821-1886), a young Prussian physician and plant collector. Hillebrand planted many of the plants he collected at Queen's Hospital and on his own property in Nuʻuanu. After moving back to Germany, the property was sold to his neighbors, Thomas & Mary Foster. Today, it is known as the Foster Botanical Gardens [Palmer 2003].