Dicksonia antarctica

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Plant
ID 435 Dicksonia antarctica
Botanic Name Dicksonia antarctica
Common Name Soft Tree Fern
Family Name Cyatheaceae
Cultivars syn. Balantium antarcticum
Origin Southern Australia, 1824, Zone 8-10
Growth Type Fern
Bark Type Leaf scars or bases
Foliage Type Evergreen Water Use Medium
No. of Species 30
Growth Habit Standard Growth Rate Slow
Height 3 - 15 m (10 - 50 ft) Spread 4 m (13 ft)
Plant Overview
This tree-fern forms a massive buttress trunk (caudex) up to 2 m (6 ft) in diameter and covered in brown hairs and fibrous roots. It has large soft textured divided dark green fronds radiate out from the crown and the fertile fronds appear in summer.
Leaf
Type Compound Additional Information
Shape Bipinnate
The dark green fronds are tripinnatifid with a lacy appearance up to 3 m (10 ft) in length, stiff in texture and are pale-green below. The young fronds appear in flushes and are covered in fine hairs.
Arrangement Rosette
Margin Serrate
Colour Glossy dark green
Size 1000 - 3000 mm ( 39.4 - 118.1 in )
Flower
Perfume Additional Information
Shape
The round sori are marginal and are protected by 2 valve cups on outer side of the reflex margin. The fertile fronds appear during midsummer.
Inflorescence Sori
Colour Brown
Size 1 - 3 mm ( 0.0 - 0.1 in )
Flowering in
(Southern Hemisphere)
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Fruit
Type Sporangium Additional Information
Colour Brown
The spores are produced on the underside of the fronds in the sporangium during the sporophyte stage of the fern life cycle. This fern is commonly transplanted and normally sold, according to length of the trunk.
Edible No
Bird Attractive Yes
Size 0 - 0 mm ( 0.0 - 0.0 in )
Fruiting in
(Southern Hemisphere)
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Environment & Cultivation
Natural Soil Moderately drained deep moist peaty-sandy loam, acidic pH 5.0-7.5
Container Pots, tubs,large planter box
Climate Temperate
Aspect Semi shade-sunny, protected position cold, light frost and drought tolerant
Pest & Diseases Sunscald, wind and frost burn, passion vine hopper
Fertiliser Keep moist and mulch, regular light application of liquid fertiliser
Pruning Remove spent fronds
Cultural Uses Propagation
The Soft Tree Fern is grown for its soft leafy appearance and is planted in the understory of shaded garden borders or mass planted in damp gullies for a rainforest effect. It is also used around water features or grown as a container plant.
Place spores on sterilised sphagnum moss or peat moss and cover with glass and keep moist. The prothallus appears in 4 to 6 weeks and prick out when large enough to handle. They are easily transplanted during spring, reduce foliage and keep moist.
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