Dicksonia antarctica

Common name(s): Soft Tree fern

Family: Dicksoniaceae

Fern

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Bark (Lower)

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Bark (Upper)

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Frond

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Pinna

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Fern / Fern Ally Properties

Origin(s)

Australia

NSW: NS, NT, NC, CS, CT, CC, ST, SC
QLD: CO, BN, WB, DD, MO
SA: SL, SE
TAS: NW, ML, NE, BL, WC, CH, EC, SW, MF, MW, KI, FU
VIC: WA, GR, MI, OR, EH, GP, GH, PR, EG

New Zealand

Nth. Is.: NO

Plant Type

Tree Fern

Climate Range(s) - Habitat

Temperate Cool, Temperate Warm

Temperate Cool,

Temperate Warm

Aspect Range(s)

Sun - Morning, Shade - Dappled, Shade - Light, Shade - Medium

Sun - Morning,

Shade - Dappled,

Shade - Light,

Shade - Medium

Habitat Range(s)

Garden, Landscape, Open Woodlands, Rainforest - Temperate, Sclerophyll Forest - Wet

Garden,

Landscape,

Open Woodlands,

Rainforest - Temperate,

Sclerophyll Forest - Wet

Habitat Zone(s)

Gullies, Hill Sides, Moist areas, Moist Valley Slopes, Slopes, Understory, Well drained

Gullies,

Hill Sides,

Moist areas,

Moist Valley Slopes,

Slopes,

Understory,

Well drained

Mature Height

10-15m

Mature Width

5-6m

Plant Shape

Open, Standard Crown

Growth Rate

Slow

Life Span

> 100yrs

Frond Properties

Frond Colour(s) (upper)

Green Dark

Frond Colour(s) (lower)

Green

Frond Texture (upper)

Leathery

Frond Aroma

None

Frond Length

3-4m

Frond Position

Weeping Semi

Frond Arrangement

Radial Stemmed Open Crown

Pinna Shape(s)

Lanceolate

Pinna Length (Frondlet)

100-150mm

Pinna Width (Frondlet)

10-15mm

Pinnule Apice(s) (Leaflet)

Acute Narrowly

Pinnule Base(s) (Leaflet)

Truncate

Pinnule Margin(s) (Leaflet)

Crenate

Dentate

Crenate,

Dentate

Pinnule Cross Section(s) (Leaflet)

Convex

Rachis / Stem / Scale Properties

Rachis / Stem / Stipe Base Texture(s)

Hairs Dense

Scale Colour(s)

Grey-brown

Indusia (Fruiting Body) Properties

Indusia Colour(s)

Brown-Dark

Spore Properties

Spore Colour(s)

Brown Light

Spore Number

Many

Root Properties

Root Type(s)

Rhizome Ascending

Root/Rhizome Texture(s)

Rough / Scabrous

Stiff

Root Colour(s)

Brown Dark

Soil Properties

Soil Type(s)

Clay-loam, Loam, Sandy-loam

Clay-loam,

Loam,

Sandy-loam

Soil pH Range(s)

Acid, Slightly Acid, Neutral, Slightly Alkaline

Acid,

Slightly Acid,

Neutral,

Slightly Alkaline

Soil Condition(s)

Moist

Fertile , Shallow , Deep , Well Drained

Fertile,

Shallow,

Deep,

Well Drained

Soil Salinities

None

Other Properties / Uses

Bird Attraction(s)

Insect

Frog Habitat

None

Coastal

None

Fire Regeneration(s)

Spore

Fire Retarding

None

Drought Tolerance

Poor

Frost Tolerance

Moderate

Snow Tolerance

Light

Smog Tolerant

Poor

Landscape Use

Good

Street Use

None

Commercial Use(s)

None

Indigenous Use(s)

Stems

Special Purpose(s)

Interesting-Trunk, Shade Tolerant, Shady Moist, Specimen

Interesting-Trunk,

Shade Tolerant,

Shady Moist,

Specimen

Maintenance(s)

Periodic Pruning

Propagation

Fresh Spore

General Notes

Called the Soft Tree Fern due to masses of adventitious roots and hairs on its lower trunk, growing through the remains of decaying earlier growth, which provides habitat for epiphytes, orchids, ferns etc.. Stipe bases persistant on the upper trunk. On large specimens the trunk can reach a diameter of 600 mm. The uncurling croziers and stipes are covered with soft, reddish-brown hairs. In its natural environment growth is about 25mm per year.

Adapts well to a variety of climates and soils. Though does best in high humidity and high soil moisture conditions. Generally requires minimum rainfall of 500mm per year.

Aboriginal people use the pith of the top of the trunk and the crozier as a food source either cooked or raw.

It can be propagated by 'cuttings', sawing the top half of the trunk off, removing the fronds and replanting. Unfortunately the bottom half left behind will die. When grown in the garden Do Not remove the old dead fronds, as they protect the trunk from cold and from drying out in the hot wind and heat.

Propagation Notes

Fresh Spore

Seed Collecting

Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec

Sowing

Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec

Material Preparation

Sori about 10mm across containing the spores will be green, then turn dark brown to black when ripe. Cut off the section of frond required and place in a large paper bag in a warm postion. The spores will fall out and become a brown dust in the bottom of the bag. Store in a clean, dry container out of sunlight. Sow as soon as possible.

Propagating Mix

Peat Moss / Coco Peat sterilized with boiling water.

Treatment

Sow spores as soon after collection as possible for best results. Once the sterilized medium has cooled, place in a pot, spread the spores over the medium. Cover the top of the pot immediately with clear plastic or glass. Stand the pot in a shallow dish of water. Place on 21° heated bed. Maintain a hothouse temperature around 21 - 25° at plant level, where possible. Remove cover 1 -2 weeks after first fronds appear. Allow to harden off before repotting.

Viable spores/gram:-

Germination time:- 2 – 8 weeks prothalli appear, a green scum on surface. 6 - 12 months for first fronds to appear.

Pricking out:- when 2nd frond appears to avoid over crowding

Tube mix:- Coco Peat or Peat Moss

Notes

Dicksonia antarctica produces an abundance of spores per plant, 800 million annually.