SafePlants

No images found for this plant ID: 13078.

Ensure images are uploaded to the Media Library and tagged with "13078" in the "plant_image_tag" taxonomy.

Safe for Children?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

Safe for Dogs?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

Safe for Cats?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

Safe for Reptiles?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

rough tree fern

Scientific Name: Cyathea australis

Family: Cyatheaceae

Category: Fern

Growth:

Duration:

Other Names:

       

Cyathea australis - The Rough Tree Fern

Cyathea australis, commonly known as the Rough Tree Fern, is a striking tree fern species cherished for its robust appearance and lush green fronds.

Considerations for Pets

  • The leaf bases and stipe are covered with short spines.
  • The plant has a sharp texture at the base.
  • The plant has adventitious roots, tubercles (knobbly bits) and masses of hair-like scales.

Considerations for Children

  • The leaf bases and stipe are covered with short spines.
  • The plant has a sharp texture at the base.
  • The plant has adventitious roots, tubercles (knobbly bits) and masses of hair-like scales.

Nomenclature and Taxonomy

  • Scientific Name: Cyathea australis (R.Br.) Domin APNI*
  • Common Names: Rough Tree Fern, Black Tree-fern, Wheki, Brown tree fern
  • Family: Cyatheaceae
  • Synonyms: Alsophila australis R.Br. APNI*

Distribution and Habitat

  • Cyathea australis is native to southeastern Queensland, New South Wales, and southern Victoria in Australia.
  • It is endemic to Southeast Australia.
  • It thrives in wet forests and rainforests of all eastern states of Australia.
  • Inhabits moist mountain areas.

Morphological Characteristics

  • A medium to large tree fern.
  • It features a robust, almost black trunk.
  • The stem elongates into a trunk-like structure, giving the plant the appearance of a palm tree.
  • Dark green fronds can reach up to 12 feet long.
  • The leaf bases and stipe are covered with short spines, giving it a "rough" texture.
  • Grows up to 12m tall with a buttressed base caused by the roots.

Ecological Role

  • The Rough Tree Fern is more dominant on slopes, while the Soft Tree-fern is more common in moister areas including rainforest gullies.

Quirky Facts

  • Wheki (rough tree fern) have peg-like extensions marking where old fronds have fallen off.
  • One of the most entertaining events in the life of a tree fern is the emergence and .