SafePlants

No images found for this plant ID: 2089.

Ensure images are uploaded to the Media Library and tagged with "2089" 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

treetrunk fern

Scientific Name: Anetium citrifolium

Family: Vittariaceae

Category: Fern

Growth: Forb/herb

Duration: Perennial

Other Names:

       

Tree Ferns: An Overview

Tree ferns are architectural plants known for their spreading fronds and trunk-like stems. They evoke a sense of the primeval, reminiscent of a time of dinosaurs and lush landscapes.

Considerations for Pets

  • Some species of tree ferns have scales or hairs on their stems and leaves, which may be irritating to pets if ingested or come into contact with their skin.
  • The "trunk" of the tree fern is composed of rhizomes modified to grow, which could attract pets to dig or chew on the plant.

Considerations for Children

  • The Rough Tree Fern has prickly hairs at the base of its fronds, which could cause discomfort or injury if handled carelessly.
  • Some species have scales or hairs on their stems and leaves, which may be irritating to children if ingested or come into contact with their skin.

Scientific Name and Common Names

  • Scientific Name: Several species are mentioned, including Dicksonia antarctica and Cyathea cooperi.
  • Common Names: Soft Tree Fern, Man Fern, Australian Tree Fern, Tasmanian Tree Fern, Rough Tree Fern, Woolly Tree Fern.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Many plants in the Cyatheales order are tree ferns with trunk-like stems.
  • Dicksonia antarctica, also known as the Soft Tree Fern or Man Fern.
  • Cyathea cooperi, also known as the Australian Tree Fern.

Distribution and Habitat

  • Dicksonia antarctica is native to Australia, specifically Tasmania.
  • Tree ferns often grow under the forest canopy in partially shaded areas.
  • They can be found in lowland temperate rainforests.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

  • Tree ferns are characterized by a trunk topped with a crown of fronds.
  • The trunk is not a true woody trunk like those of seed plants, but is composed of rhizomes modified for vertical growth.
  • The trunk is formed from decaying remains of earlier growth and a dense mass of roots and old frond bases.
  • Some species have scales or hairs on the stems and leaves.
  • Trunks can grow to varying heights, with Dicksonia antarctica reaching up to 6 meters in height and 75cm in trunk diameter. Some can grow up to 15m tall.
  • Growth rate is slow, approximately 3cm per year for trunk height increase.

Quirky Facts

  • The soft tree fern is unique in its ability to regrow from seemingly lifeless logs.
  • The trunk of a tree fern is essentially the decaying remains of previous growth, forming a dense medium for root growth.
  • Indigenous peoples of Mallicollo (Malekula) in the Republic of Vanuatu carve figures from the trunks of tree ferns.

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • Tree fern trunks provide safe sites for other plants like epiphytic ferns to grow.
  • Lowland temperate rainforests often see tree fern trunks providing sites for tree growth.
  • Epiphytic ferns grow on tree ferns versus angiosperms in Costa Rica.

Resources and Further Information

  • eBay is mentioned as a source for purchasing Dicksonia Tree Ferns.
  • Amazon UK is mentioned as a retailer of Tasmanian Tree Ferns (Dicksonia Antarctica).