Scientific Name: Dicksonia antarctica

Common Name: soft treefern

Family Classification (Clade): Pteridophytes

Family: Dicksoniaceae

Form Description: Large tree fern, trunk to 1m diameter, densely covered with brown fibrous roots. Large crown of dark green fronds to 4m long.

Municipality
Break O’DayBrightonBurnieCentral CoastCentral HighlandsCircular HeadClarenceDerwent ValleyDevonportDorsetFlindersGeorge TownGlamorgan-Spring BayGlenorchyHobartHuon ValleyKentishKing IslandKingboroughLatrobeLauncestonMeander ValleyNorthern MidlandsSorellSouthern MidlandsTasmanWaratah-WynyardWest CoastWest Tamar
Plant Communities
RainforestWet Eucalypt Forest
Habitat Notes

Widespread and abundant from sheltered gullies in dry sclerophyll to rainforest, ranging from sea level to sub-alpine forest. Mostly absent above 900m e.g. Central Plateau and low rainfall areas.

Site Tolerance

Moist, Shady

Soil Tolerance

Clay, Fertile, Loam, Nutrient-poor, Well-drained

Frost Tolerance

Moderate

General Notes

Suitable for growing in large containers. Young plants are very slow-growing for the first 2-3 years. Produces copious spores (800 million per plant annually). Early to re-colonise in disturbed soils. Its trunk is the host for at least 30 other plants. Moderate flammability. The pithy material near the top of the trunk was eaten by Aboriginal people. It is rich in starch and was eaten either raw or cooked.

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 – about 0.1cm across. 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.

Cutting & Division Information

Tree ferns may be grown from trunks sawn off at the base with fronds trimmed from the top. These grow easily when planted in a suitable position and kept moist. New roots are produced from the base and the plants become self supporting after 12 months. If planted during dry periods the trunk should be hosed at least once a day. It is recommended that plants NOT be removed from bush areas for this purpose.