Pteris umbrosa R.Br. A new country record?

Some 6 - 7 - 8 years ago I grew a fern from a prothallus I found at the base 
of a baby cycad I bought in a local store.

It grew, self-fertilised, and the sporophyte developed into a distinctive, 
handsome plant.  In good sun behind a warm window it grew very rapidly, 
and produced masses of brown spores.

My identification was (and still is) Pteris umbrosa from Australia.

Eventually, this plant died one summer week when it used up all its water 
and I didn't notice.  But its spores stayed dormant in a cactus pot that I 
neglected, but when I began to water the cactus more; what showed up 
again after ?? 6 years, but this fern.

Separately, late last year, I had an enquiry from a person living about 800km 
north of where I do, asking about the ID of a fern plant she had collected 
under the balcony of their house.

In my opinion, this is the same species, but, being grown in a rather sun-less 
living room, has not developed fertile fronds.  This plant looks just like 
forest-grown P. umbrosa to be found on the net by doing a Google search.

I have placed photos at this address, if you are interested.

http://www.brianswale.com/Ferns/

I must re-do the top one as it is not very good

Brian Swale. 

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