Scientific Name: Cyathea cunninghamii

Common Name: slender treefern

Family Classification (Clade): Pteridophytes

Family: Cyatheaceae

Threatened Species Status: Endangered

Permit: It is an offence to collect, disturb, damage or destroy this species unless under permit.

Form Description: Trunk tall and slender, to 10cm diameter. Fibrous at base, woody above.

Height (m): 10 – 20

Municipality
Break O’DayBurnieDorsetHuon ValleyKing IslandKingboroughTasmanWaratah-WynyardWest Coast
Plant Communities
Rainforest
Habitat Notes

Rare species with only scattered populations in Tasmania within 3km of the coast. Typically grows in deep sheltered fern gullies beside creeks.

Site Tolerance

Moist, Shady

Soil Tolerance

Fertile, Loam, Sandy, Well-drained

General Notes

Very particular in its requirements. Needs complete protection from hot sun and wind with abundant water through summer months. Suitable for growing in large container.

Propagation Calendar

  • Flowering Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
  • Seed Collecting Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
  • Sowing Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
  • Cutting Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Propagation Method
Specialist Method

Seed Information

Seed Collection

Sori covered by indusia. Collect spores when mature on the frond. Unripe sori are generally light green then change to yellowish-brown and to dark brown or black when mature. Place fronds, or portions of fronds, containing ripe spores in a paper bag and leave in a dry and draught-free place. Spores should begin to release immediately and all spores are released within days unless the species has tough, leathery fronds. Some species produce large quantities of spores from one frond, others require many fronds to produce similar quantities.

Seed Treatment Method

Standard Scatter seed thinly on to damp potting mix. Hold seed in place by covering with more potting mix to approximately the depth of the seed size.

Seed Treatment Notes

Use a moisture-retaining medium and a pot that allows drainage. Sterilise medium and container with boiling water. Sow spores by sprinkling a small amount onto the surface of the medium. Cover immediately with clean glass or plastic wrap. Leave in a warm area in strong, but not direct, sunlight. Specks of green appear after 2-4 weeks. These are the young prothalli. During the next 6-12 months they are at risk from overcrowding and pathogens. When the first fronds appear the sporelings can be slowly hardened by gradual removal of the container cover. Take care to avoid drying out. Prick out sporelings when the second frond appears. Young sporelings are susceptible to damping off and are difficult to establish.