Scientific Name: Cyathea x marcescens

Common Name: skirted 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 up to 35cm diameter, fibrous at base often has persistent dead fronds in a skirt.

Height (m): 5 – 12

Municipality
No data available for this species
Plant Communities
Riparian
Habitat Notes

Very rare in Tasmania known from near-coastal fern gullies in the south-east, north-east, central north and King Island. It is a natural hybrid of the Endangered Cyathea cunninghamii and the more widespread Cyathea australis, and will only be present where these two species co-occur. Multi-headed crowns are occasionally formed.

Site Tolerance

Moist

General Notes

Relatively untried in cultivation because of its rarity but requires conditions similar to those for other species. It can grow quite vigorously.

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 with small indusia. Spores appear to be sterile. 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.