Pteris multifida aka Chinese Brake

Pteris multifida is a fern in the Pteridaceae family. It is a perennial, so it lives for more than one year. Its common names include spider brake, spider fern, and ribbon fern. The RHS accepts its scientific name. It also lists Pteris serrulata L.f. as a synonym, or another name for the same plant. This fern is not native to Great Britain or Ireland. The sources do not say where else it grows as a native plant.

This fern grows in an upright form. Chicago Botanic Garden gives its height as 2 feet [0.61 metres]. This serves as a guide to its height in gardens. The source does not state its spread at full size. Nor does it give any larger size extremes. Neither account gives details of frond shape, colour, or texture. Fronds are the fern's leaves. The RHS describes leaf and rhizome traits for the whole genus. Those broad traits do not show this species' exact form.

Grow spider brake in part shade, with a moderate amount of moisture. Chicago Botanic Garden lists these needs in its plant profile. It also places the fern in USDA hardiness zones 7–10. The sources give no UK hardiness rating. They do not state which soil texture or pH it prefers. The moisture advice supports moderate watering, not care as a dry-site plant. Neither source gives a set plan for when to water.

Chicago Botanic Garden lists this fern for use as a specimen plant. This means growing it as a plant for display in its own right. Its upright shape and stated height help guide that use. It lives for more than one season. Yet the sources do not say if its fronds stay green all year. They give no growth rate or time to reach full size.

The accounts focus on its name and basic garden needs. They do not describe the parts it uses to reproduce. Nor do they give a season of display. Neither names pests, diseases, or other problems with growing it. They give no evidence of parts to eat or uses as medicine. Neither source states whether it is safe for people or pets. These gaps do not mean it is safe to eat or harmless. The supported garden use is an upright fern for part shade and moderate moisture.