Scientific Name: Todea barbara

Common Name: southern kingfern

Family Classification (Clade): Pteridophytes

Family: Osmundaceae

Form Description: Fern with massive, broad trunk, black and fibrous outside; fronds erect, numerous, bipinnate, leathery.

Municipality
Break O’DayBurnieCentral CoastCentral HighlandsCircular HeadDerwent ValleyDevonportDorsetFlindersGeorge TownGlamorgan-Spring BayHuon ValleyKentishKing IslandKingboroughLatrobeLauncestonMeander ValleyTasmanWaratah-WynyardWest CoastWest Tamar
Plant Communities
Coastal VegetationDry Eucalypt ForestHeathRainforestWet Eucalypt Forest
Habitat Notes

Common and widespread particularly in the north and west of the state. Occurs below 300m in rainforest, wet and dry sclerophyll forest, heathland and, less commonly, up to 500m on wet rock faces. Will tolerate boggy soils and salt laden winds in coastal situations. Appears to be intolerant of seasonally dry soils.

Site Tolerance

Exposed, Moist, Shady, Waterlogged, Windy

Soil Tolerance

Fertile, Loam, Nutrient-poor, Poorly-drained, Sandy, Well-drained

General Notes

Slow growing; very hardy; clump forming; easily grown in a protected position in the ground; 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

Globular sori on basal pinnae, naked on forked veins. Appear as a brown powdery mass with age. Old sori persistent; spores green. Spores are collected when mature on the frond.

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.