Adiantum: capillus-veneris

• Adiantum capillus-veneris (Black Maidenhair Fern) is a species of fern in the genus Adiantum with a subcosmopolitan distribution, native to western and southern Europe, Africa, North America, Central America. In the United States, it grows as far north as southern Missouri and southernmost Kentucky, where it will generally be found growing on sheltered, south-facing limestone. It is hardy to zone 7.

It grows to 20-70 cm tall, with very delicate, light green fronds much subdivided into pinnae 5-10 mm long and broad; the frond rachis is black and wiry.
It is commonly grown as a houseplant.

Scientific classification
Kingdom:Plantae
Division:Pteridophyta
Class:Pteridopsida
Order:Pteridales
Family:Adiantaceae
Genus:Adiantum
Species:
A. capillus-veneris

Thank: en.wikipedia.org

Genus: Adiantum

By Michael Hassler and Brian Swale.



A list of the species of the genus Adiantum, giving current name, authority, synonyms, published references, geographic distribution and (sometimes) illustrations.

Please note: an asterisk * in the distribution list means that the species is exotic to the country named.


Class Filicopsida
Trivial names: Ferns
Statistics: 15 orders, 53 families, 310 genera, 9300-10700 species
[11501 species and 454 hybrids listed.

Order Pteridales
Statistics: 10 families, 53 genera, 1065-1300 spp. [1358 species and 42 hybrids listed]

Family Adiantaceae
(C. Presl) Ching; Sunyatsenia 5: 229 (1940) nom. cons.
Statistics: 1 genus, 150-200 spp. [220 species and 3 hybrids listed]
Revision date: 20.07.2001
= Dennstaedtiaceae subfam. Adiantoideae (C. Presl) R. Tryon; Amer. Fern J. 76:
184 (1987)
Revision date: 20.07.2001

Adiantum L.; Gen. Pl. 782. (1737) & Spec. plant. 2. 1094 (1753)
Trivial names: Maidenhair Ferns
Statistics: 150-200 spp. worldwide, mostly Andes [220 species and 3 hybrids listed]
Revision date: 20.07.2001
= Hewardia J. Smith; Jour. Bot. (Hook.) 3: 432 (1841)
= Adiantellum Presl; Tent. Pterid. 157 (1836)
= Apotomia F้e; Gen. Fil. 112 (1850-52)
= Mesopleuria Moore; Ind. Fil. XXXVI (1857)

Adiantum abscissum Schrad.; Gött. gel. Anz (1824) 872
Adiantum aculeolatum Alderw.; Bull. D้pt. agric. Ind. n้erl. 18. 10 (1908)
Adiantum adiantoides (J. Sm.) C. Chr.; Ind. 23 (1905)
Remarks: phyllitidis agg.
Adiantum aethiopicum L.; Syst. Nat. ed. X. 2. 1329 (1759)
Trivial names: Common maidenhair, true maidenhair
Adiantum alarconianum Gaud.; Voy. Bonite Bot. t. 99 (1846)
Adiantum aleuticum (Rupr.) C.A.Paris; Rhodora 93(874): 112 (1991)
Trivial names: Aleutian Maidenhair Fern
Adiantum amazonicum A. R. Sm.; Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard. 77(2): 260 (1990)
Adiantum amblyopteridium Mickel & Beitel; Pterid. Fl. Oaxaca [Mem. New York
Adiantum amelianum Glaziou; Bak., Journ. Bot. 309 (1882)
Adiantum anceps Maxon & Morton; Amer. Fern Journ. 24: 15 (1934)
Remarks: platyphyllum agg.
Adiantum andicola Liebm.; Vid. Selsk. Skr. V. 1. 266 (seors 114) (1849)
Remarks: capillus-veneris agg.
Adiantum aneitense Carr.; Seem. Fl. Vit. 346 (1873)
Adiantum angustatum Kaulf.; Enum. 202 (1824)
Adiantum annamense Ching; Acta Phytotax. Sin. 6: 315 (1957)
Adiantum atroviride Bostock; Fl. Australia 48: 707 (1998)
Adiantum balfourii Bak.; Hook. Ic. pl. t. 1630 (1886)
Remarks: philippense agg.
Adiantum bellum Moore; Gard. Chr. n. s. 11. 172 t 24 (1879)
Adiantum bessoniae Jenm.; W. Ind. and Guiana Ferns 96 (1899)
Adiantum blumenavense Rosenst.; Festschr. Alb. v. Bamberg 57 (1905)
Adiantum boliviense Christ & Rosenst.; Fedde Repert. 6. 230 (1908)
Adiantum bonatianum Brause; Hedwigia 64. 206 t. 4 f. K (1914)
var. subaristatum Ching; Acta Phytotax. Sin. 6: 338 (1957)
Adiantum bonii Christ; Journ. de Bot 8. 150 (1894)
Adiantum brasiliense Raddi; Pl. Bras. 1. 57 t. 76 (1825) Chr. 141
Remarks: pectinatum agg.
Adiantum braunii Mett. ex Kuhn; Linn. 86. 75 (1869)
Remarks: capillus-veneris agg.
Adiantum breviserratum (Ching) Ching & Y.X.Lin; Acta Phytotax. Sin. 18(1): 104 (1980)
Adiantum cajennense Willd.; Kl. Linn. 18. 552 (1844) (cayennense)
Remarks: tetraphyllum agg.
Adiantum calcareum Gaertn.; Hook. Ic. pl. t. 467 (1842)
Adiantum capillus-junonis Rupr.; Distr. Cr. vasc. Ross. 49 (1845)
Adiantum capillus-veneris L.; Sp. 2. 1096 (1753)
Trivial names: Southern maidenhair, Venus-hair fern, Venushaar
Remarks: capillus-veneris agg.
var. trifidum (Willd.) B้guinot
var. modestum Fern.
var. protrusum Fern.
Adiantum caryotideum Christ; Bull. Soc. bot. Geneve 11. 1. 230, fig (1909)
Remarks: tetraphyllum agg.
Adiantum caudatum L.; Mant. 308 (1771)
Trivial names: Trailing maidenhair
Remarks: philippense agg.
Adiantum celebicum Christ; Verh. Nat. Ges. Basel 11. 428 (1896)
Adiantum chienii Ching; Sinenisia 1. 50 (1930)
Adiantum chilense Kaulf.; Enum. 207 (1824)
var. subsulphureum (J.Remy) Giudice; Hickenia 2(24): 112 (1995)
Adiantum christii Rosenst.; Fedde Repert. 12. 166 (1913)
Adiantum comoroense (Tardieu) Verdc.; Kew Bull. 46(2): 272 (1991)
Adiantum concinnum Humb. & Bonpl. ex Willd.; Sp. 6. 451 (1810)
Trivial names: Common Maidenhair Fern, Brittle maidenhair
Remarks: capillus-veneris agg.
Adiantum cordatum Maxon; Amer. Fern Journ. 121. 136 (1931)
Remarks: phyllitidis agg.
Adiantum coreanum Tagawa; Acta Phytotax. 1. 159 (1932)
Adiantum crespianum Bosco; Nuov. Giorn. Bot. Ital. ser. 2. 45: 148. t.10(2) (1938)
Adiantum cuneatiforme C. Chr.; Kungl. Svenska Vetens. akad. Handl. ser. 3. 16(2): 63.
t.14(8-10) (1937)
Adiantum cunninghamii Hook.; Sp. 2. 52 t. 86
Adiantum cupreum Copel.; Leaflets Phil. Bot. 4. 1152 (1911)
Adiantum curvatum Kaulf.; Enum. 202 (1804)
Adiantum davidii Franch.; Nouv. Arch. Mus. 11. 10. 112 (1887)
var. longispinum Ching; Acta Phytotax. Sin. 6: 333 (1957)
Adiantum decoratum Maxon & Weatherby; Amer. Journ. Bot. 19. 165 (1932)
Remarks: tetraphyllum agg.
Adiantum deflectens Mart.; Ic. Cr. Bras. 94 (1834)
Remarks: philippense agg.
Adiantum deltoideum Sw.; Prod. 134 (1788)
Remarks: capillus-veneris agg.
Adiantum diaphanum Bl.; Enum. 215 (1828)
Trivial names: Filmy maidenhair, Small maidenhair
Remarks: patens agg.
Adiantum digitatum Presl; Tent. 159. (1836), nomen, ex Hook., Sp. 2. 38 (1851)
Remarks: capillus-veneris agg.
Adiantum diphyllum (F้e) Maxon; Amer. Fern Journ. 21. 137 (1931)
Adiantum discretodenticulatum V.Marcano; Acta Bot. Venez. 15(3-4): 120 (1988-89 publ. 1990)
Adiantum dissimulatum Jenm.; Gard. Chr. 111. 16. 656 (1894)
Adiantum dolosum Kze.; Linn. 21. 219 (1848)
Remarks: phyllitidis agg.
Adiantum edgeworthii Hook.; Sp. Fil. 2 14. t. 81 B (1851)
Adiantum elegantulum Maxon; Contr. Gray Herb. 165: 70. t. 5 (1947)
Adiantum erylliae Tardieu & C. Chr.; Notul. Syst. [Paris] 6: 172. t.1(1-2) (1938)
Adiantum erythrochlamys Diels; Engl. Jahrb. 29. 201 (1900)
var. hunanense C.M.Zhang; Keys Vasc. Pl. Wuling Mourit. (ed. W.T.Wang & al.):
563 (1995)
Adiantum excisum Kze.; Linn. 9. 82 (1834)
Adiantum feei Moore; F้e, 7 mem. 29 t. 24 f. 1 (1857)
Remarks: capillus-veneris agg.
Adiantum fengianum Ching; Bull. Fan Mem. Inst. Biol. ser. 2. 1: 267 (1949)
Adiantum fimbriatum Christ; Bull. Soc. Fr. 62 M้m. 1. 62 (1905)
var. shensiense (Ching) Ching & Y.X.Lin; Fl. Reipubl. Popul. Sin. 3(1): 207 (1990)
Adiantum flabellulatum L.; Sp. 2. 1095 (1753)
Adiantum flabellum C. Chr.; Cat. Pl. Mad. Pter. 50 (1931) [nomen, Dansk Bot. Ark. 7. 123
t. 48 (1932)
Remarks: reniforme agg.
Adiantum formosanum Tagawa; Journ. Jap. Bot. 14: 315 (1938)
Adiantum formosum R. Br.; Prod. Fl. N. HoII. 155 (1810)
Remarks: pectinatum agg.
Adiantum fossarum Rojas Acosta; Bull. G้ogr. Bot. 28. 156 (1918)
Adiantum fournieri Copel.; Univ. Calif. Publ. Bot. 11. 367 (1929)
Remarks: patens agg.
Adiantum fragile Sw.; Prod. 135 (1788)
Remarks: capillus-veneris agg.
var. rigidulum (Mett. ex Kuhn) Proctor; Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 53: 143 (1989)
Adiantum fructuosum Kze.; Spreng. Syst. 4. 113 (1827)
Remarks: tetraphyllum agg.
Adiantum fuliginosum F้e; Gen. 116 (1850-52)
Remarks: tetraphyllum agg.
Adiantum fulvum Raoul; Choix de Plantes 9 (1846)
Remarks: pectinatum agg.
Adiantum galeottianum Hook.; Sp. 2. 10 t. 80B (1851)
Remarks: patens agg.
Adiantum gertrudis Espin.; Verhand. Deutsch. Wiss. Ver. Santiago Chile Ber.2. 3: 67.
t.1-4 (1937)
Adiantum gibbosum Roemer; Kuhn, Jahrb. bot. Gart. Berlin 1. 344 (1881)
Adiantum gingkoides C. Chr.; Bull. Mus. Paris 11. 6. 100 (1934)
Adiantum glabrum Copel.; Occ. Pap. Bishop Mus. 14: 67. t. 18 (1938)
Adiantum glareosum Lindm.; Ark. för Bot. 1. 202 t. 9 f. 5 (1903)
Adiantum glaucescens Kl.; Linn. 18. 562 (1844)
Adiantum glaucinum Kze.; Ettingsh., Farnkr. 82 t. 48 f. 7 (1865)
Adiantum glaziovii Bak.; Journ. Bot. 309 (1882)
Adiantum gomphophyllum Bak.; Ann. Bot. 8, 124 (1894)
Adiantum gracile F้e; Gen. 116 (1850-52)
Adiantum gravesii Hance; Journ. Bot. (1875) 197
Adiantum grossum Mett.; Ann. sc. nat. V. 2. 215 (1864)
Adiantum henslovianum Hook. f.; Tr. Linn. Soc. 20. 169 (1847)
Remarks: patens agg.
Adiantum hispidulum Sw.; J. Bot. (Schrader) 1800(2): 82 (1801)
Trivial names: Rosy maidenhair, Rough maidenhair
Remarks: pectinatum agg.
var. whitei (F.M.Bailey) Bostock; Austrobaileya 2(4): 362 (1987)
var. hypoglaucum Domin; Biblioth. Bot. 20(85): 152 (1913)
var. minus Bostock; Fl. Australia 48: 708 (1998)
Adiantum hollandiae Alderw.; Bull. Jard. bot. Buit. II. Nr. VII. 1 (1912)
Adiantum hornei Bak.; Journ. Bot. 294 (1879)
Adiantum hosei Bak.; Journ. Bot. 324 (1888)
Adiantum humile Kze.; Linn. 9. 80 (1834)
Remarks: tetraphyllum agg.
Adiantum imbricatum Tryon; Amer. Fern Journ. 47: 142. t.15(B) (1957)
Adiantum incertum Lindm.; Ark. för Bot. 1. 204 t. 9 f. 4 (1903)
Adiantum incisum Forssk.; Fl. Aeg. 187 (1775)
ssp. incisum Forssk.; Fl. Aeg. 187 (1775)
ssp. indicum (Ghatak) Fraser-Jenkins; New Species Syndrome in Indian Pteridology
and the Ferns of Nepal 33 (1997)
Adiantum intermedium Sw.; Vet. Ak. Handl. 76 (1817)
Adiantum isthmicum B.Zimmer; Willdenowia 19(1): 215 (1989)
Remarks: phyllitidis agg.
Adiantum jordanii K. Müll.; Bot. Zeit (1864) 26 t. 1 f. 1 (1864)
Trivial names: California Maidenhair Fern
Adiantum juxtapositum Ching; Acta Phytotax. Sin. 6: 312 (1957)
Adiantum kendalii Jenm.; Journ. Bot. 39 (1886)
Adiantum kingii Copel.; Phil. Journ. Sci. Bot. 9. 5 (1914)
Adiantum klossii Gepp; Journ. Nat. Hist. Siam 4. 159 (1921)
Adiantum lamrianum Bidin & Jaman; Gard. Bull. Singapore 41(2): 45 (1988 publ. 1989)
Adiantum latifolium Lam.; Enc. 1. 43 (1783)
Remarks: tetraphyllum agg.
Adiantum leprieurii Hook.; Sp. 2. 31 t. 82 B (1851)
Remarks: pectinatum agg.
Adiantum levingei Bak.; Ann. Bot. 5. 207 (1891)
Adiantum lianxianense Ching & Y.X.Lin; Acta Phytotax. Sin. 18(1): 102 (1980)
Adiantum lindeni Moore; Gard. Chr. 778 (1866)
Adiantum lobatum Kze.; Kuhn, Jahrb. bot. Gart. Berlin 1. 348 (1881)
Remarks: patens agg.
Adiantum lorentzii Hier.; Engl. Jahrb. 22. 393 (1896)
Adiantum lucidum (Cav.) Swartz; Syn. 121 (1806)
Remarks: phyllitidis agg.
Adiantum lunulatum (Roxb.) Burm.; Fl. Ind. 235 (1768)
Remarks: phyllitidis agg.
Adiantum macrocladum Kl.; Linn. 18. 554 (1844)
Adiantum macrophyllum Sw.; Prod. 135 (1788)
Remarks: phyllitidis agg.
Adiantum madagascariense Rosendahl; Ark. för Bot. 14(18) 1 t. 1 f. 1-2 (1916)
var. prolongatum (Bonap.) Tard.
Adiantum malaliense Jenm.; Gard. Chr. 111. 20. 182 (1896)
Adiantum malesianum Ghatak; Bull. Bot. Surv. India 5: 73, f.1,4,6,7 (1963)
Adiantum mariesii Bak.; Gard. Chr. n. s. 14. 494 (1880)
Adiantum mathewsianum Hook.; Sp. 2. 35 t. 84a (1851)
Remarks: pectinatum agg.
Adiantum mcvaughii Mickel & Beitel in McVaugh; Fl. Novo-Galiciana 17: 147 (1992)
Adiantum melanoleucum Willd.; Sp. Pl. 5(1): 443 (1810)
Trivial names: Fragrant Maiden-hair
Remarks: pectinatum agg.
Adiantum mendoncae Alston; Mendonca, Estud. Ens. Docum. Junta Invest. Ultramar. 12:
19. t. 6, 7 (1954)
Adiantum menglianense Y.Y.Qian; Acta Bot. Austro Sin. 8: 37 (1992)
Adiantum mettenii Kuhn; Fil. Afr. 65 (1868) (nomen), ex Kuhn, Jahrb. bot. Gart. Berlin 1.
338 (1881)
Adiantum mindanaense Copel.; Phil. Journ. Sci. 1. Suppl. II. 154 t. 10 (1906)
Adiantum monochlamys Eat.; Proc. Amer. Acad. 4. 110 (1858)
Adiantum monosorum Bak.; Syn. 472 (1874)
Adiantum multisorum Sampaio; Comm. Linh. telegr. Mato Gros so ao Amazonas Publ.
no. 33. 11 t. 1 f. 1 (1916)
Adiantum myriosorum Bak.; Kew Bull. 230 (1898)
var. recurvatum Ching & Y.X.Lin; Bull. Bot. Res., Harbin 3(3): 4 (1983)
Adiantum neoguineense Moore; Gard. Chr. n. s. 7. 12 (1877)
Adiantum novae-caledoniae Keys.; M้m. Ac. St. P้tersb. 22(2): 4, 27 c. tab (1875)
Adiantum nudum A. R. Sm.; Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard. 77(2): 260 (1990)
Adiantum oaxacanum Mickel & Beitel; Pterid. Fl. Oaxaca [Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 46]:
25 (1988)
Adiantum obliquum Willd.; Sp. 6. 429 (1810)
Remarks: phyllitidis agg.
Adiantum ogasawarense Tagawa; Journ. Jap. Bot. 14: 314 (1938)
Adiantum olivaceum Bak.; Syn. 127 (1867)
Remarks: phyllitidis agg.
Adiantum opacum Copel.; Phil. Journ. Sci. 1. Suppl. IV. 255 t. 3 (1906)
Adiantum orbignyanum Mett. ex Kuhn; Linn. 86. 78 (1869)
Remarks: capillus-veneris agg.
Adiantum ornithopodum Presl; Tent. 158 (1836) (nomen), ex Kuhn, Linn. 86. 74 (1869)
Adiantum ovalescens F้e; 8 m้m. 72 (1857)
Adiantum oyapokense Jenm.; W. Ind. and Guiana Ferns 85 (1899)
Adiantum palaoense C. Chr.; Dansk Bot. Ark. 9(3): 53 (1937)
Adiantum papillosum Handro; Loefgrenia 14: 1 (1964)
Adiantum paraense Hieron.; Hedwigia 48: 233 t. 11 f, 10 (1909)
Adiantum parishii Hook.; Fil. Exot. t. 51 (1858)
Remarks: reniforme agg.
Adiantum patens Willd.; Sp. 5. 439 (1810)
ssp. patens Willd.; Sp. 5. 439 (1810)
Remarks: patens agg.
ssp. oatesii (Bak.) Schelpe; Bol. Soc. Brot. ser. 2a, 41: 203 (1967)
Adiantum pearcei Phil.; Anal. Univ. Chile 68 (1861)
Adiantum pectinatum Kze.; Ettingsh, Farnkr. 85 t. 46 t 14-16 (1865)
Remarks: tetraphyllum agg.
Adiantum pedatum L.; Sp. Pl. 2: 1095 (1753)
ssp. pedatum L.; Sp. 2. 1095 (1753)
Trivial names: Northern Maidenhair Fern
Remarks: patens agg.
ssp. calderi Cody; Rhodora 85(841): 93 (1983)
ssp. subpumilum (W.H.Wagner) Lellinger; Amer. Fern J. 74(2): 62 (1984)
Adiantum peruvianum Kl.; Linn. 18. 555 (1844)
Trivial names: Silver-dollar fern
Remarks: platyphyllum agg.
Adiantum petiolatum Desv.; Berl. Mag. 6. 326 (1811)
Remarks: tetraphyllum agg.
Adiantum phanerophlebium (Bak.) C. Chr.; Dansk Bot. Ark. 7i 123 t. 49 (1932)
Remarks: phyllitidis agg.
Adiantum philippense L.; Sp. 2. 1094 (1753)
Remarks: philippense agg.
Adiantum phyllitidis J. Sm.; Lond. Journ. Bot. 1. 197 (1842)
Remarks: phyllitidis agg.
Adiantum platyphyllum Sw.; Vet. Akad. Hdl (1817) 74 t. 3 f. 6
Remarks: platyphyllum agg.
Adiantum poeppigianum Presl; Tent. 157. (1836), nomen, ex Hieron., Hedwigia 48. 231 (1909)
Remarks: phyllitidis agg.
Adiantum poiretii Wikstr.; Vet. Akad. Hdl (1825) 443 (1826)
Remarks: capillus-veneris agg.
Adiantum polyphyllum Willd.; Linn. Sp. Pl. 5: 454 (1810)
Trivial names: Giant maidenhair
Remarks: tetraphyllum agg.
Adiantum princeps Moore; Gard. Chr. n. a. 4. 197 f. 43-44 (1875)
Remarks: pectinatum agg.
Adiantum pseudotinctum Hier.; Engl. Jahrb. 22. 394 (1896)
Adiantum pulchellum Bl.; Enum. 216 (1828)
Adiantum pulcherrimum Cop.; Phil. Journ. Sci. Bot. 6. 138 t. 22 (1911)
Adiantum pulverulentum L.; Sp. 2. 1096 (1753)
Remarks: tetraphyllum agg.
var. caudatum Jenman; Bull. Bot. Dept. Jamaica no. 33: 7 (1892)
Adiantum pumilum Sw.; Prod. 134 (1788)
Adiantum pyramidale (L.) Willd.; Sp. 5. 442 (1810)
Remarks: pectinatum agg.
Adiantum raddianum Presl; Tent. Pterid. 158 (1836)
Remarks: capillus-veneris agg.
Adiantum rectangulare Lindm.; Ark. för Bot. 1. 204 t. 9 f. 3 (1903)
Adiantum reniforme L.; Sp. 2. 1094 (1763)
Remarks: reniforme agg.
var. asarifolium (Willd.) Sim
var. crenatum Bak.; Journ. Bot. 4 (1891)
var. sinense Y.X.Lin; Acta Phytotax. Sin. 18(1): 102 (1980)
Adiantum rhizophorum Sw.; Syn. 320, 422 (1806)
var. comorense Tard.
Adiantum rhizophytum Schrad.; Gött. gel. Anz. 872 (1824)
Remarks: philippense agg.
Adiantum robinsonii Alderw.; Phil. Journ. Sci. Bot. 11. 110 (1916)
Adiantum roborowskii Maxim.; M้l. biol. 11. 867 (1883)
var. taiwanianum (Tagawa) W.C. Shieh (1968)
f. faberi (Baker) Y.X.Lin; Fl. Reipubl. Popul. Sin. 3(1): 212 (1990)
Adiantum rondoni Sampaio; Comm. Linh. telegr. Mato Grosso ao Amazonas Publ.
no. 33. 13 t. 1 f. 2 (1916)
Adiantum rubellum Moore; Gard. Chr. 866 (1868)
Adiantum rufopetalum Mett. ex Kuhn; Jahrb. bot. Gart. Berlin 1. 350 (1881)
Adiantum ruizianum Kl.; Linn. 18. 551 (1844)
Remarks: patens agg.
Adiantum scabrum Kaulf.; Enum. 207 (1824)
Adiantum scalare Tryon; Amer. Fern Journ. 47: 141. t.15(A) (1957)
Remarks: phyllitidis agg.
Adiantum schmalzii Rosenst.; Fedde Repert. 8. 277 (1910)
Adiantum schmidtchenii Hier.; Engl. Jahrb. 84. 487 (1904)
Adiantum schweinfurthii Kuhn; Sitzungsber. Ges. nat. Fr. Berlin 40 (1869) 40
Adiantum seemannii Hook.; Sp. 2. 6 t. 81a (1851)
Remarks: platyphyllum agg.
Adiantum semiorbiculatum Bonap.; N. Pt. 13. 105 (1921)
Adiantum senae Bak.; Journ. Bot. 217 (1886)
Adiantum sericeum Eat.; Bot. Zeit. 361 (1869)
Remarks: capillus-veneris agg.
Adiantum serratifolium Alderw.; Bull. Jard. bot. Buit. II. nr. VII. 1 (1912)
Adiantum serratodentatum Willd.; Sp. 6. 445 (1810)
Remarks: tetraphyllum agg.
Adiantum shepherdii Hook.; Sp. 2. 9 t. 73 B (1851)
Remarks: patens agg.
Adiantum siamense Tag. & lwatsuki; Acta Phytotax. Geobot. 25: 20 (1971)
Adiantum silvaticum Tind.; Contrib. New S. Wales Nation. Herb. 3: 246, t.8 (1963)
Adiantum sinuosum Gardn.; Hook. Ic. pl. t. 504 (1843)
Remarks: patens agg.
Adiantum soboliferum Wall.; List n. 74 (1828) ex Hook., Sp. 2. 13 t. 74 A (1851)
Adiantum sordidum Lindm.; Ark. för Bot. 1. 205 t. 9 f. 1 (1903)
Adiantum stenochlamys Bak.; Ann. Bot. 6. 209 (1891)
Adiantum stolzii Brause; Engl. Jahrb. 68. 387 (1915)
Adiantum subcordatum Sw.; Vet. Ak. Hdl. 75 (1817)
Remarks: platyphyllum agg.
Adiantum subvolubile Mett. ex Kuhn; Linn. 86. 77 (1869)
Remarks: capillus-veneris agg.
Adiantum tenerum Sw.; Prod. 135 (1788)
Trivial names: Brittle Maidenhair Fern
Remarks: capillus-veneris agg.
var. farleyense (T. Moore) Andr้; Illustr. Hort. 19: 64 (1872)
Adiantum tenuissimum Taubert; Engl. Jahrb. 21. 421 (1896)
Adiantum terminatum Kze. ex Miq.; Diar. lnst. Reg. Bat (1843)
Remarks: tetraphyllum agg.
Adiantum tetragonum Schrad.; Gött. gel. Anz. 872 (1824)
Adiantum tetraphyllum Humb. & Bonpl. ex Willd.; Sp. 6. 441 (1810)
Remarks: tetraphyllum agg.
Adiantum thalictroides Willd. (Schlecht., Adumbr. 53 t. 33 ined.), Kze. Linn. 10. 530
(1836)
Remarks: some authors include this species in the Old World A. poiretii
f. bottini Giúdice & Nieto (1994)
var. hirsutum (Hook. & Grev.) De la Sota
Adiantum tomentosum Kl.; Linn. 18. 553 (1844)
Remarks: tetraphyllum agg.
Adiantum trapeziforme L.; Sp. 2. 1097 (1753)
Remarks: pectinatum agg.
Adiantum trichochlaenum Mickel & Beitel; Pterid. Fl. Oaxaca [Mem. New York Bot.
Gard. 46]: 29 (1988)
Remarks: tetraphyllum agg.
Adiantum tricholepis F้e; M้m. Foug. 8: 72 (1857)
Trivial names: Hairy Maidenhair Fern
Remarks: capillus-veneris agg.
Adiantum trilobum L.; Sp. Pl. 1095 (1753)
Adiantum tripteris Kramer; Acta Bot. Neerl. 18: 138, f.1 (1969)
Adiantum urophyllum Hook.; Sp. 2. 24 t. 84B (1851)
Remarks: tetraphyllum agg.
Adiantum venustum D. Don; Prod. Fl. Nepal 17 (1825)
Trivial names: Hardy maidenhair, Evergreen maidenhair
var. wuliangense Ching & Y.X.Lin; Acta Phytotax. Sin. 18(1): 104 (1980)
Adiantum villosissimum Mett. ex Kuhn; Linn. 36. 73 (1869)
Adiantum villosum L.; Syst. Nat. ed. X. 2. 1328 (1769)
Remarks: tetraphyllum agg.
Adiantum viridescens Col.; Tr. New Zeal. Inst. 27. 400 (1895)
Remarks: pectinatum agg.
Adiantum viridimontanum Paris; Rhodora 93: 108 (1991)
Trivial names: Green Mountain Maidenhair
Adiantum vivesii Proctor; Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 53: 140 (1989)
Adiantum vogelii Mett. ex Kuhn; Fil. Afr. 66 (1868) (syn.), ex Keys., M้m. Ac. St. P้tersb.
22(1). 8, 31 (1875)
Remarks: tetraphyllum agg.
Adiantum wattii (Bedd.) Bak.; Journ. Linn. Soc. 18: 381 t. 14. f. A (1881)
Adiantum wilesianum Hook.; Sp. 2. 50 t. 83 C (1851)
Remarks: pectinatum agg.
Adiantum wilsonii Hook.; Sp. 2. 6 t. 72 A (1861)
Remarks: phyllitidis agg.
Adiantum x spurium Jermy & T.G.Walker; Fern Gaz. 13(3): 188 (1987) [nom. nov.
Remarks: Adiantum lucidum x villosum
Adiantum x tracyi C.C.Hall ex Wagner; Madrono 13: 198. f.1, 2(B), 3(B) (1956)
Remarks: Adiantum jordanii x pedatum
Adiantum x variopinnatum Jermy & T.G.Walker; Bull. Brit. Mus. (Nat. Hist.) Bot. 13(2):
254 (1985)
Remarks: Adiantum latifolium x petiolatum
Adiantum zollingeri Mett. ex Kuhn; Ann. Mus. Lugd. Bat. 4: 280 (1869)

Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum)

• Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum) Maidenhair ferns are leafy, non-flowering plants. They are very delicate and require good wind protection to grow nicely. Maidenhair ferns are slow spreading and non-invasive. Maidenhair ferns are deciduous in colder climates, but grow best in zones four through nine.
  The Maidenhair fern, like all ferns, requires partial to full shade and consistently moist soil. The Maidenhair fern will grow to a height of one to two feet and similar size in width. Maidenhair ferns are typically grown in shady gardens, or in hanging baskets indoors.
  The Maidenhair fern is naturally grown in wet tropics, where it can be found in moist open sites along riverbanks. This fern is fairly easy to care for, needing only decent shade and well-drained soil that is moist to thrive. Maidenhair ferns propagate best by division.
  Maidenhair ferns are also used in the creation of herbal medicines. Parts of the Maidenhair fern are used in the creation of herbal medicine for colds, asthma, sore throats, kidney stones and liver problems. The leaves of the Maidenhair fern are also used to make an herbal tea.

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Treefern: Lophosoria, Sadleria, Thyrsopteris and Todea

• Lophosoria, Sadleria, Thyrsopteris and Todea
  Like Blechnum, these are not classified as true treeferns, but they do form trunks or very large rhizomes that suggest treefern like characteristics.

Lophosoria quadripinnata-This very interesting fern is not a true treefern at all, but it is related to Dicksonia and can develop small trunks to 8' high. It grows over a very large area in the wild, all the way from Mexico and the West Indes to the Patagonia, spreading vigorously by clumping and forming adventitious shoots. It has very large fronds and multiple trunks sometimes forming more as mounds. Its presence so far south in South America makes me optomistic that there may be hardy Dicksonias or other treeferns yet to be introduced from that part of the world.
As far as I know, this species has yet to be employed in landscapes, but it certainly would be an interesting one to grow. It is known to be very easily grown and adaptable in cultivation. Its strange, clustering, mounding form could make it a one-of-a-kind accent plant. Plants from Chile and Argentina should yield very cold-hardy offspring.

Sadleria cyatheoides-Information coming, uh maybe sometime after I have had a chance to grow this fern. I have never even seen one in person come to think of it.

Thyrsopteris elegans-This very rare treefern from the Juan Fernandez Islands belongs to the Dicksoniaceae family. It grows in sheltered gullies and hillsides throughout the islands, where its trunk is often covered with epiphytes. It is not difficult to accomodate in cultivation, but it is very difficult to find.

Todea barbara-Todea barbara is not really a true treefern either, but it does grow a trunk up to 5' tall, with multiple crowns at the top, and fronds up to 4' in length. It may resemble a very lax Dicksonia antarctica slightly in its general appearance, but the fronds look very different. It comes from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. This interesting natural distribution suggests it survived as a relict from when these land masses were all joined together. It is quite adaptable, hardy to roughly 15°F, and will tolerate a considerable range of climates, but of course it needs its moisture like any fern. It is cultivated somewhat in the Southern Hemisphere and it is in Britain but very rare. I have never seen one in the United States. The spore remains viable for only a few days after collecting, which makes it difficult to distribute.

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Treefern: Dicksonia

• Dicksonia
  This genus is most easily distinguished from Cyathea by usually having fronds of a more stiff, leathery substance, and the absence of scales on the croziers as mentioned previously. The individual fronds are more convex when viewed from the top, as opposed to the often flat fronds of many Cyathea species. There are also important distinguishing features on the reproductive structures. Some species, especially D. antarctica and its close relatives, can take on sort of a "shuttlecock" or "vortex" appearance, as if all the fronds together are like a funnel, with the crown at the center. By far the most common Dicksonia encountered in cultivation is D. antarctica, the Tasmanian Tree Fern. D. fibrosa, a species from New Zealand, is sometimes sold as and mistaken for this species in California. There are also several cold-tender tropical species of Dicksonia, making about 25 species all together.

Dicksonia antarctica -"Soft treefern" "Tasmanian treefern" Dicksonia antarctica is probably the best known of all the treeferns. It has been grown in Britain for years for its ease of cultivation, great beauty, and cold-hardiness. Since it is also in cultivation in many other parts of the temperate world, it is not nearly so uncommon as most of the other species discussed on this page, and relatively easy to get hold of. It is probably the commonest treefern in Australia as well. In the wild it can be found growing throughout the forests of eastern Australia, Tasmania, and some sub-Antarctic islands where the temperature seldom if ever rises above 65°F. The name "Tasmanian treefern" is misleading since the vast majority of them are not in Tasmania. In some parts of Australia it grows almost into the alpine zone, higher than Cyathea australis, where it is often set back by severe frosts, and usually fails to put on a trunk so that it can benifit from the protection of winter snow cover. In the western end of its range where the climate is drier, a more stout-trunked form exists which could one day show promise for cultivation in hot, dry climates.
This species is probably the largest of the Dicksonias, occasionally reaching the incredible height of around 50' (though 20' is more usual), with a trunk that can be a couple feet in diameter or more if given enough moisture, and a life span of up to 400 years. The fronds most often grow to about 8-10' in length, but under excptionally good conditions, fronds as long as 14' are not out of the question. The crown can contain a great many fronds; up to 60 or 70 have been recorded on one plant! The uncurling croziers and stipes are covered with soft, reddish-brown hairs. Growth is moderate, but trunk development is relatively slow - about 1" per year is all that can be expected in cool areas, or even a bit less. In the Southwest of Ireland it grows 2" per year, and some in coastal California have grown 3" per year. In pot cultivation the fronds will be smaller and trunk development will be slower.
Dicksonia antarctica, like most temparate treefern species, seems to vary in its hardiness according to the provenance from which it originated. Most of the plants so far introduced to cultivation have proven relatively cold-tender, and are often destroyed from temperatures of 15-18°F. Despite this setback, specimens were established outdoors many years ago at Logan Botanical Gardens in Scotland, and other sheltered gardens along the west coast of Britain, and most are still alive today. In North America, very large unprotected specimens can be found along the south coast of Oregon, as well as a few growing in British Columbia. Only recently have efforts been made to introduce hardier, more montane provenances of this species, and once these provenances find their way into cultivation it may spread the region of outdoor treefern growing even farther north. With a great deal of careful protection, the hardy provenances may be able to grow in USDA zone 6; and parts of zone 8b which have not grown treeferns unprotected before, such as London and Seattle, may eventually see established Dicksonias growing without protection in vrey sheltered microclimates. The hardiest provenances, which are most likely to come from Victoria and New South Wales, might be able to withstand temperatures down to near 16°F before they are severely damaged.
Despite its origin in rather cool mountain forests, Dicksonia antarctica is also one of the more heat-tolerant treeferns, although in very hot climates it will not look good. Provided enough water it will grow from central Texas eastward in the United States, as well as California's hot Central Valley. It is also very adaptable to growing in shady conditions (shade is more of a necessity in hot climates), and in fact it grows as an understory on the Australian forest floor where few other plants will grow. Its general resilience and tolerance for adverse conditions also enables it to serve as a good indoor subject.

Dicksonia fibrosa -"Wheki-ponga" "Golden Treefern" This is a smaller species of Dicksonia from New Zealand that looks almost like a miniature of D. antarctica. It grows in formidably cold areas of New Zealand, at elevations up to 2,700', and some of its provenances are nearly as hardy as D. antarctica, able to withstand 18-20°F. The trunk develops rather slowly and attains a mature height of only about 16'. Its fronds closely resemble those of D. antarctica, but shorter, growing only 5-7', and even more "plasticy." The hairs on the stipes do not have quite such a reddish look, but more of a golden-brown. A few have worked their way into cultiavtion in the United States and Britain, but sadly they often seem to be mistaken for D. antarctica in California.
Dicksonia fibrosa is very beautiful and easy to grow, and useful in situations where D. antarctica is too large to fit. Like D. antarctica, it will do well in a site with morning sun and afternoon shade, but tolerates quite a bit of sun in cool climates. In Britain it is often planted under trees, since it will fit nicely there, and the trees offer some shelter from the cold. Root development of imported plants is such that the young trunks often take on a conical shape.

Dicksonia lanata -"Prostrate Treefern" This small species from New Zealand is not much like the other Dicksonias in its general appearance, but it is nevertheless an attractive fern. Although very cold-hardy (at least 20°F), this species usually forms a prostrate, creeping trunk; and is not really a tree fern. Sometimes, however, it will form a small trunk up to 6' tall. It often grows in clumps like Lophosoria quadripinnata. It has not really found its way into cultivation in the Northern Hemisphere and remains a collector's item.

Dicksonia sellowiana-This species has such an enormous natural range, all the way from Mexico to Argentina, that it varies considerably in its appearance, as well as its hardiness which to my knowledge remains untested. It does sound very promising, as anything that grows in Argentina must tolerate some frost; and also that it would be adaptable enough to span over such a huge area. Most plants are about the size as D. antarctica, or a little smaller; and many have rather yellowish stipe-hairs as opposed to the red-brown of D. antarctica. However the variety D. sellowiana var. gigantea (which is often just referred to as D. gigantea), which is found in Mexico, can form quite a massive plant with suckers arising from the base and lower trunk.
An English nursery has rated this species to 20°F, but I do not think this figure can be relied upon for all plants of this species; the tropical ones being less hardy and the most southerly ones perhaps more so.

Dicksonia squarrosa -"Wheki" This species is quite distinct from D. antarctica and D. fibrosa, and it is probably my favorite of the Dicksonias. It can be found over quite a large part of the South Island of New Zealand, except in the coldest areas, often not far from Cyathea smithii. It grows in full sun above the Franz Josef Glacier and Fiordland, one of the wettest places on Earth. In sunnier climates they prefer a bit of shade, and do not tolerate heat well. Nor is it quite as cold hardy as D. antarctica or D. fibrosa--in my observation, temperatures near 24°F will do it some damage. But it is still hardy enough to do well outdoors in most of Britain and the Pacific Northwest with the standard protection procedures. It is in cultivation, though rare, in Britain and the western United States.
What distinguishes it from the aforementioned species is its decidedly slender trunk, the stipes covered with hairs that are a soft brownish-grey, and a beautiful crown of gracefully arching fronds up to 7' long that have a whitish undersurface. The trunk does not tend to form aerial roots, and the old stipes can always be seen on the trunk in an attractive pattern. Interestingly, it also sends up offshoots near the base of the trunk, or sometimes as far away as 4 feet from the parent. An added bonus is its relatively fast growth as Dicksonias go, 3" per year being typical of a healthy specimen with an ultimate height of about 20'. A unique feature of this species is its ability to resprout from dormant adventitious buds lower down in the trunk or ground if the top is destroyed by cold. This species is happiest if it is never allowed to dry out--in the wild, the dead fronds cling to the trunk to prevent it from losing moisture.

Dicksonia youngiae-This species comes from cool highland rainforests in Queensland and Australia, and is somewhat resemblant of D. squarrosa, perhaps even a bit cold-hardier than D. squarrosa according to one source. It, like D. squarrosa, sends up suckers to form multiple trunks as high as 12'. Unfortunately the trunks can sometimes be weak and have an inclination to deteriorate. The fronds are a glossy, deep, bright green; and coarse, brittle reddish hairs densely cover the stipes and croziers.
Dicksonia youngiae is not particularly heat tolerant and needs shelter from wind. Another potential problem is that it may tend to produce fronds in the winter which are left exposed to damage before they mature; however, its growth cycle may change entirely if brought into a cool enough climate. Being a heat-intolerant species in an overall rather hot part of the world, its presence and isolation so far north in Queensland is somewhat of a mystery, and clearly it would not have survived if it had not been able to retreat into the cool highlands and find its niche there.

Other species of Dicksonia
In addition to the species listed individually, the following species may also one day be successful in temperate climates. Some of these are extremely rare, and any guess at their cold-hardiness would be pure speculation.

Dicksonia arborea (St. Helena)-This species grows up to 9,000' above sea level on the tropical island of St. Helena in the Atlantic, in completely open sites with no shade or windbreak on the mountains of Diana's Peak National Park. It is tolerant of cool temperatures and wind, and if it is anything like most other tropical highland tree ferns, it probably even tolerates a few degrees of frost. It is thought to be the last remnant of a treefern population that once existed on the African mainland. This population has been reduced even further by competition from introduced plants such as flax, and because of the absence of any tree canopy, which has all been destroyed by European settlers. It is not believed to be in cultivation, but it should certainly be introduced since wild populations are on their way to extinction. It forms a trunk, and, while the fronds are rather short and "scruffy-looking" on wild plants, this is likely an adaptation to its exposed habitat situation, and it might take on a much more lush appearance in cultviation. The trunk reaches about 12' in height, and the fronds, compared to other trunking species of Dicksonia, are relatively short, on wild plants at least.

Dicksonia baudouini (New Caledonia)-A rare species whose frost hardiness is not known.

Dicksonia berteriana (Juan Fernandez Islands, off the coast of Chile)-A very rare species, hardly in cultivation at all, about which little is known. It is said to thrive in a sheltered, humid site (as most treeferns do). Despite its proximity to South America, it is more closely allied to the Western Pacific species than to the geographically closer D. sellowiana. This species is native to Alejandro Selkirk Island and is a smaller fern than D. externa. According to one reference, Dicksonia berteriana is less inclined to grow very much upright trunk.

Dicksonia externa (Juan Ferandez Islands)-This stout-trunked, large species grows in extensive thickets on slopes with full exposure to the sun and wind. In this situation the fronds are rather short, but it could make a magnificent fern in a sheltered site in cultivation. Plants in habitat may grow as tall as 25' with a 1' diameter trunk. This species is from Robinson Crusoe Island and is even less well known than D. berteriana.

Dicksonia herbertii (northern Queensland)-A species from cool monsoonal highland rainforests which is only beginning to make its way into cultivation. It is generally similar to D. youngiae, having greyish-green fronds with reddish brown stipe-hairs, but it is always single-trunked. It is likely to thrive on a great deal of rain and constant humidity.

Dicksonia karsteniana (Central America)-Another species from Central American cloudforests. Possibly fairly hardy.

Dicksonia thyrsopteroides (New Caledonia)-This species has a much more slender trunk than most species of Dicksonia, with only a few fronds in the crown at once. It despises sun and heat. Its frost hardiness is not known.

Thank:angelfire.com

Treefern: Cyathea

• Cyathea
  This is by far the largest genus of tree ferns, containing over 800 species. Many are strictly tropical, but some come from temperate areas cool enough that they can be grown in more extreme climates. Even some of the tropical ones seem remarkably adaptable to temperate climates with light frosts, and cold-hardiness limits have not yet been found for some of these. Compared to Dicksonia, the most common Cyathea species generally grow faster when young, and, in my opinion at least, they are a bit more on the primitive-looking side and not quite so woodland-ish (although the Dicksonias are actually more primitive). Considering the sheer number of species in existence, it is possible that the following small handful listed are only a fraction of those that could be grown in cool climates. Those belonging to the Sphaeropteris group can be distinguished by their thick, fleshy stipes; in contrast to the smaller, woody stipes of the Alsophila group.
  

Cyathea australis -"Rough Tree Fern" From the forests of Southeast Australia comes this medium to large sized tree fern. In the wild it inhabits moist mountain areas in Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland, and is often found growing in the company of Dicksonia antarctica but preferring more sunny open spots. Although well-known to Australians, it is not common in cultivation outside of Australia. Most plants labeled as Cyathea australis in cultivation are unfortunately C. cooperi, and a great deal of confusion has existed between the two in the United States, though there is no good reason why the two should be confused since they are quite distinct from one another. C. australis is by far the cold-hardiest of the two. For a description of the differences, see Cyathea cooperi. C. australis is a rather close relative of C. woolsiana.
Cyathea australis is an attractive, reasonably fast-growing treefern with a stocky, black trunk and fronds that range in length from 6 - 10'. However, occasionally individuals are found with a very immense trunk and fronds as long as 20'! It grows at elevations as high as 4,200' in Southeast Australia, and most of my sources are of the opinion that it is slightly more cold-hardy than Dicksonia antarctica. Its most cold-hardy provenances probably have their limits around 10°F, but certainly not without substantial frond damage. Indeed, the fronds are often lost by the end of a winter in Australia, as is the case with Cyathea dregei in South Africa. However, the tender uncurling croziers are certainly more tolerant of frost than those of Dicksonia; and since it inhabits more open situations, it is more exposed to frosts in the winter. It ought to be hardy enough to make a reasonably easy subject in the Pacific Northwest and Britain, probably with a bit of protection in cold winters to be safe; where it would need a position with some sun to thrive since it is not as shade tolerant as Dicksonia antarctica. It also tolerates heat fairly well and would be likely to succeed in the Southeast United States with enough water.
This species can sometimes (especially in Australia) be found for sale with all the fronds and roots cut off. Although a Dicksonia may survive this treatment, Cyatheas most often do not unless they have been cut off below ground level.
Cyathea australis ssp. norfolkensis from Norfolk Island is an extremely large, robust form of this species. It is rare in cultivation and its cold hardiness is not known.

Cyathea brownii -"Norfolk Island Tree Fern" This is regarded as the largest of all treeferns, though in cultivation its dimensions may be exceeded by other species such as C. medullaris, particularly in a cooler climate. A very robust, beautiful species, closely related to C. cooperi but far more spectacular in size and appearnace. It is not very common in cultivation outside of Australia. The fronds can reach up to 20' long and are held in a most attactive habit, and the trunk, which is quite thick under humid conditions, can in the wild reach an incredible height of 100'! As the fern ages, the trunk appears to look more woody and may also show some taper.
Although it comes from a completely frost free environment, it will tolerate nearly as much frost as C. cooperi, and is also very fast-growing (especially as a young plant) and easy to cultivate, responding to large quantities of fertilizer. The uncurling croziers are covered in beautiful large, pale brown scales and small, dark brown scales. The fronds are hardy to about 27°F, and it is well worth overwintering in a zone 8b climate with copious amounts of house insulation, although it will eventually outgrow practical protection measures. It will perform well in partial sun in most climates where it is hardy (full sun advised in cool maritime climates), and its fast growth enables it to recover from damage quickly. Very easily raised from spore.

Cyathea capensis- This tree fern from the Cape region of South Africa finally seems to be getting a bit more attention from tree fern enthusiasts. Its fronds are a deep green and rather glossy, attatched to long stipes, and the slender trunk can reach about 20' tall in the wild. According to one reference, it is said to develop a bit of a "wig" around the crown in the manner of C. baileyana. Unlike the other South African tree fern, C. dregei, it prefers to inhabit very sheltered, cool, shady streambanks several thousand feet above sea level.
This species is easy to grow in a semi-shady, moist, sheltered situation; and I think we can be fairly certain it ought to tolerate several degrees of frost, though its cold-hardiness limits are not known. A similar but distinct species occurrs in southern Brazil that should also be tried for hardiness. C. capensis has also been reported in other parts of East Africa.

Cyathea colensoi-This small Cyathea from New Zealand is regarded as New Zealand's most cold-hardy tree fern. It grows at rather high elevations and shows a definite preference for cool climatic conditions. It usually has the habit of creeping along at ground level rather than forming an upright trunk, and therefore may not qualify as a "true" tree fern in the opinion of some. The fronds are small, broad and shiny.
I am not aware that it is in cultivation outside of New Zealand, but it should certainly be introduced. Perhaps it could be coaxed into growing an upright trunk in an ideal garden situation with copious amounts of fertilizer and water. Even in the wild, some individuals have been known to grow some upright trunk. They are accustomed to partial shade and a moist soil.

Cyathea cooperi -"Australian Treefern" "Lacy Treefern"
This is probably the second most common treefern in cultivation after Dicksonia antarctica. It is well-known over much of the world and not difficult to find in areas where it is well adapted. Its popularity is probably a result of its great ease of growth and tolerance of neglect. It hails from eastern Australia, but does not grow at nearly such high elevations as Cyathea australis and Dicksonia antarctica do. The first common name is the one Americans have given it, without regard to the fact that there is a great number of treefern species from Australia. "Lacy treefern" is the Australian name, which refers to the texture of the fronds compared to Cyathea australis ("Rough treefern"). Not surprisingly, some variation occurs within this species, and as a result several named forms such as 'Brentwood', 'Emerald Beauty' and 'Kalgoorie Gold' are in cultivation.
In cultivation this species is often confused with Cyathea australis. If in doubt, it's probably C. cooperi, because there are far fewer C. australis in cultivation. The two are easily distinguished: C. cooperi, in most cases, has white and brown scales on the stipes (see photo), while C. australis has only the brown ones (see photo). C. australis also has spines at the bases of the stipes, and C. cooperi has a much more fleshy stipe than C. australis. There are also differences in their reproductive structures. The most important difference to many fern entusiasts is that C. australis is far more cold-hardy.
Cyathea cooperi has a slender trunk usually about 3 - 6" thick, sometimes growing to 30' high, and puts on growth very quickly. The fronds typically will reach about 8' long on a mature specimen, but, as with most tree ferns, they will be significantly stunted if kept in a pot. It will grow well in dappled (but not deep) shade, but also does well in some sun, even in hot climates, as long as the moisture supply is adequate. It also does relatively well in exposed, windy situations. These features make it a splendid treefern for a wide variety of sites.
Although Cyathea cooperi has been overwintered successfully in England and other cool climates, I do not generally tend to recommend it to gardeners in such locations unless they really want it for their collection, or it is the only species they can get hold of. It is not particularly cold-hardy; and the fronds will usually burn at about 27°F or so. Complete mortality generally occurs below 22°F, though some have recovered. It is, in fact, the least hardy species of Cyathea to which I have given a sub-page of its own (and I've done this only because it is such a well-known species). My reasoning is that if you are willing to go to the trouble of overwintering such a cold-tender treefern in a zone 8 or 9a climate, some equally hardy yet far more spectacular species such as C. brownii, C. howeana, and C. robusta are more worth your effort. C. cooperi grows very easily from spore.

Cyathea cunninghamii -"Slender Treefern" Coming from New Zealand, Tasmania, and eastern Australia, this tall tree fern has probably not been introduced to cultivation in the United States or Britain just yet. In the wilds it always inhabits cool, humid, shady gullies and streambanks, and as a result it is very fussy about its requirements for coolness, moisture, shade and shelter from wind. It is a close relative of C. medullaris, but it is likely to be considerably hardier to cold, since it grows higher up in the mountains where snow often falls. Its crown is much more thin and open, containing fewer fronds than most of the other tree ferns discussed here. It is one of the tallest hardy tree ferns, often found towering over Dicksonia antarctica and Dicksonia fibrosa in habitat.
Because of its insistence on cool, sheltered conditions, it would probably be best suited to the maritime climates of Britain and parts of the Pacific Northwest in the Northern Hemisphere. In the Melbourne area of Australia it is quite a challenge to keep alive through the hot summers. But it should certainly be tried in cooler areas--its slender habit, soft-textured fronds and open crown could make it a very attractive subject in a cool woodland setting.

Cyathea dealbata -"Ponga" "Silver Tree Fern" This magnificent tree fern comes from the dense, lush forests of New Zealand. Its most prominent distinguishing characteristic is that the fronds are a beautiful silver-white underneath, and the stipes are silvery as well. Other than that it is reasonably similar to C. australis, though it prefers more shade and shelter. The silvery fronds make it an exceptionally superb subject for night lighting. It is extremely rare in cultivation outside of Australia and New Zealand.
The arching fronds are very large, sometimes up to 12', and form a beautiful, full, dense crown. Trunk development begins rather slowly compared to some other species, and the fronds on young plants may not be silvery.
Although it shows a definite preference for moisture and cool conditions, it does seem somewhat adaptable and relatively easy to grow even in relatively dry conditions (as ferns go). Some plants can be a bit cold-hardier than commonly thought, as it does range well into the mountains of New Zealand's South Island, and good provenances may be able to withstand temperatures around 22°F (perhaps lower) without any trouble. One specimen grew well for many years at Logan Botanical Garden at Stranraer, Scotland, and even recovered from a temperature of 14°F on one occasion. It should be able to grow well in the Pacific Northwest and Britain with the standard protection measures. As far as I am aware its heat tolerance remains untested, but it is worth trying in hot climates.

Cyathea dregei- Cyathea dregei is a rather large, stout-trunked tree fern from the forests and grasslands South Africa, Madagascar and other parts of east Africa. It seems to have made it into culativation just recently in Europe, but is largely unknown in the United States. It is of great interest for several reasons.
It grows over a large area in which the climate ranges from temparate to tropical, and areas with dry winters and wet summers as well as areas that are the other way around (the western Cape). Some of this region is surprisingly arid and hot, yet this treefern is usually found growing out in the open in full sun (somewhat like C. australis), though always near streambanks or in sites where it can get a constant supply of soil moisture. In addition to summer heat, it must also tolerate severe winter frosts and snow. Because of the open situations which it chooses to inhabit, it is subjected to the full effect of the frost without the benefit of an overhead canopy. It is also described as "deciduous," and though this is probably not technically correct, it seems that this treefern does not mind losing its fronds and growing them back as much as other treeferns do. The fronds can be damaged from temperatures as high as 30°F, and most winters in South Africa they are, but with no lasting ill effect to the plant.
Because of its large natural range, its hardiness is likely to vary somewhat according to where the spore was collected. One nursery in Germany has rated it to 7°F, and although I am not quite that optomistic, one has been thriving in Edinburgh, Scotland for several years now. I think it may be an excellent prospect for Britain and the Pacific Northwest, as well as relatively arid or hot temparate climates such as the southern United States.
All of these characteristics imply a general toughness and adaptability that other treeferns lack. On the negative side, it is very slow-growing and takes many years before the trunk starts developing. But mature specimens are magnificent and well worth the wait: the fronds may reach 8' or more, making up a very attractively spreading crown; and the trunk is usually 18 - 22" thick.

Cyathea latebrosa-This moderate sized, attractive tree fern from moderate elevations in the Himalayas remains very rare in cultivation. It ought to tolerate a few degrees of frost but its exact hardiness is not known. It prefers open sites with at least some exposure to sun, and appreciates warm, humid summers.

Cyathea leichhardtiana-This species from southeast Australia is one of the least common Australian species in cultivation. Although perhaps slightly hardier than C. celebica (guessing around 22°F), to which it is closely related, it is usually considered inferior in appearance unless given plenty of shade, shelter and moisture which it requires. In such a position however it is very rewarding to grow since the fronds are very attractive as they expand: the stipes and pinnae expand first while each individual division on the pinnae remains curled up in a little ball for a while before finally expanding. Cyathea leichhardtiana is tall and slender in stature and grows rather slowly, ultimately achieving a height of about 20' with fronds typically about 9' in length. Like C. celebica the stipes are covered with black spines. English growers report some difficulty in raising this species from spore.

Cyathea X marcescens -"Skirted Tree Fern" An extremely rare treefern found only in a few sheltered gullies in Tasmania, Victoria, and New South Wales. It is now generally believed that they are of hybrid origin, probably resulting from a cross between Cyathea australis and Cyathea cunninghamii. It is very fast-growing, large, and very distinctive; a fern of deep ravines and streambanks. The trunk may grow to a height of 30' tall and over 16" thick, with fronds sometimes exceeding 12' in length. It certainly has the potential for great ornamental worth in cold climates. Unlike C. cunninghamii, the dead fronds tend to persist around the trunk forming a skirt.
Only a small population of about 40 plants occurs in Tasmania, but Victoria has some larger populations. As all attempts to raise this fern from spore have failed, it probably does not produce fertile spore as a hybrid. However it has been theorized that plants can be obtained by sowing a small amount of Cyathea australis spore with a large amount of C. cunninghamii spore, saving a large proportion of the offspring and picking out the hybrids as they develop. So unfortunately it may be a while before temparate gardeners will be able to test these out. It will almost certainly be hardy to 20°F or lower, and could make a spectacular addition to a cool zone 7 or 8 garden with some protection.

Cyathea medullaris -"Mamaku" "Black Tree Fern" This very large treefern is native to New Zealand, Fiji, and Polynesia. In New Zealand it is possibly the most common tree fern, and it is found growing in a large range of microclimates and situations throughout the island. It is a rapid grower and makes a very imposing specimen even in less than perfect conditions. Unlike C. dealbata and C. smithii, it generally found growing in open places with full exposure to wind and sun. Although relatively few fronds remain on the crown at once, they can reach over 12' long on vigorous young plants. Its large size and black shiny leaf bases make it a most spectacular plant in cultivation. This species is not yet common in gardens, though there are a few in the British Isles, including one that has already spent a few winters outdoors in Ireland.
Although it is very adaptable, it seems to be only slightly hardier than C. cooperi, and its massive size makes it a formidable challenge to protect from cold. In addition to this, its preference for open places limits the number of positions in a garden or landscape available to site it that are relatively sheltered from cold. It ought to be able to withstand temperatures down to about 25°F before the cold would begin to do serious damage. Some high elevation provenances may be a couple degrees hardier than this. The ideal situation for it is where its fronds get full sun, but the trunk can remain moist.

Cyathea robusta-Cyathea robusta is a large, very beautiful species from Lord Howe Island. It has very attractive, thick, erect fronds and light brown scales on the croziers, not unlike C. brownii. As the stipes mature the scales fall leaving the thick, light green stipe visible. The fist-sized croziers of this species are spectacular when uncurling in the spring. A good performer in cultivation, it has been known to withstand frost and snow in Victoria (although cold-tender when small), and is probably a tad hardier than C. cooperi (guessing 25°F). It does not resist hot temperatures well when young either.

Cyathea smithii -"Whe" This is a rather large tree fern coming from the cool mountain forests of New Zealand, especially the South Island, as well as the Subantarctic Auckland Islands. It has a very beautiful habit with its broad, soft fronds; and the stipes have dark scales and a yellow midrib. Rather than uncurling in the manner of most tree ferns, in which the main frond stalk unrolls almost to its full length before the "frondlets" (pinnae) unroll; the fronds tend to expand all at once up the length of the frond. The fronds often leave a skirt around the slender, fibrous trunk after they have died, which allows other ferns and epiphytes to grow on the lower parts of the trunk. The stipes hanging over the trunk are very characteristic of this species and make it easy to indentify among other New Zealand species.
This is one of the cold-hardiest of New Zealand's tree ferns. Though it remains largely untested in cultivation, it may be able to withstand temperatures down in the range of 15-20° F. Interestingly, it does not even seem fully hardy in its native region, and in fact during the once-in-a-century freeze of July 1996, about 50-75% of plants growing in the coldest parts of their homeland were killed. Perhaps the hardiest treeferns of this species will come from spore of treeferns that survived this devastating freeze. Also, C. smithii, like C. australis and C. dregei, usually loses its fronds by the end of winter, suggesting that frond protection is not important for this species as long as the crown survives.
Although it is said to be rather fast-growing, I am not optomistic for its widespread cultivation because it does not seem to be tolerant of much heat. It is said to be unsuccessful on the warmer parts of New Zealand's North Island, and it does not seem to be in cultivation much in Australia. However, it is likely to do well in England, where unfortunately most plants sold as C. smithii are not, and it may be satisfactory in the Pacific Northwest, if attention is given to place it in a cool site sheltered from wind. It is much less happy in exposed sunny situations than other New Zealand tree ferns and should be given a forest-like setting. Imported specimens transplant relatively easily for a Cyathea, establishing quickly. It should also be kept continually moist, as it is likely to have a very low tolerance for dryness.

Cyathea spinulosa-This treefern from India, Thailand, China, Taiwan, and Japan remains rare in cultivation outside of Asia. It requires a moist, sheltered position to thrive, but is also able to recover from harsh treatment. In one instance it was allowed to dry out and yet grew back, though slowly. The 10' fronds are dark green and finely divided, held in a graceful arching habit, and the slender trunk is able to reach a height of about 20'. It has a vigorous root system and may not be very well adapted to pot culture, but it does seem to have at least a few degrees of frost tolerance. It adapts best to a summer-moist climate, thriving from Kathmandu to Japan.

Cyathea tomentosissima -"Dwarf Wooly Tree Fern" Cyathea tomentosissima is a rather small tree fern that hails from the cool mountain cloudforests and grasslands of New Guniea at very high elevations. This is a climate lacking in seasonal extremes, except for the intensity of the sunlight, nothing like any of the climates in the temparate Northern Hemisphere. This treefern seems to have found its way into cultivation in Europe, Australia, and even the United States, though it is still overall very rare.
It does not grow as fast as most of the other tree ferns, and its ultimate size is only about 8' tall with fronds up to 4' long under good conditions. Its small size makes it easy to incorporate into a city garden, and it will also grow well in pots or tubs. Also, it is not much of a chore to wrap up such a little fern to protect it from the winter cold.
Despite its origin in a perpetually cool climate, it seems to be strangely and remarkably adaptable, in fact one of the most cool- and heat-tolerant tree ferns around. The combination of heat and dryness, however, will be the death of it; but unlike many highland plants it can withstand any amount of heat so long as it has enough moisture. It will do well if kept wet in the summer and also tolerates dry conditions well as long as it is cool. It is also said to do well indoors under cool conditions. Mine has also done well with our very wet winters here in western Washington, and it has tolerated temperatures down to 26°F as a young plant. It may be significantly hardier than this (one source, in fact, reports it has withstood 16°F in Britain), and as far as I am aware the limits of its hardiness have not yet been found. Unfortunately I lost mine in the exceptionally hot, dry summer of 1998.

Cyathea vieillardii-Native to New Caledonia and New Hebrides, this is a very fast-growing species, ultimately reaching 16' high, with an upright crown of fronds and an 8" thick trunk covered with shiny grey black scales. It will tolerate frosts down to 27°F, but, like C. atrox, must be kept rather dry to ensure survival of the cold. It would appear to prefer a partially shaded position in hot summer climates.

Cyathea woolsiana-This species is esteemed for its ease of growth and tolerance of a wide range of soils and conditions. The fronds may reach up to 8' long and are covered in very dark scales, and the trunk grows to about 12' high. It is related to Cyathea australis, but is probably somewhat less cold-hardy (guessing 26°F), and must be kept well-watered for it to look good. A native of moist forests in northeast Queensland, Australia.

Other species of Cyathea
The following is a list of some other Cyathea species that may prove reasonably viable in zone 9a or colder climates. Please note that the majority of these are tropical to subtropical in origin and their cold-hardiness is vestigal; that is, they are significantly hardier than they would need to be to survive in their natural habitat. To ensure their survival of winter cold, many of these should be kept rather on the dry side during frosts, and very well-insulated. Only a few on this page do not fall into this category.

Cyathea aramagensis - information coming someday, maybe

Cyathea atrox (Papua New Guinea) - This moderate sized tree fern related to C. tomentosissima hails from monsoonal high mountain forests (to 11,000' elevation). The trunk may reach a height of 18', with a 6" diameter; and the fronds seldom exceed 6' in length. At these high elevations, temperatures typically stay within a range of 42°F and 62°F, with occasional subfreezing temperatures. Freeze survival is aided by the fact that the temperature always rises above freezing during the day. It is probably about on par with C. cooperi for hardiness, but it should be kept dryish in the winter to ensure frost survival.

Cyathea baileyana (Australia) - This species is called "Wig treefern" because the crown is covered in skeletonised base pinnules which look like a mass of hair. It is rather slow-growing, but should be able to tolerate a few degrees of frost (probably around 27°F) and would be worth growing for the "wig." The fronds can reach about 8', and the trunk eventually reaches about 10' tall. Its introduction to cultivation may be slow since it is rather difficult to propagate. Pictured in D. L. Jones' Encyclopedia of Ferns.

Cyathea brevipinna (Lord Howe Island) - Mainly for interest I am including this very intriguing species whose features are all compacted to make a squat little treefern with short, densely crowded fronds. Perhaps even more baffling is the fact that no one has successfully raised these from spore, and in fact only one plant survives outside of its native habitat on a 2,600' high mountaintop on Lord Howe Island. Once the secret to its successful cultivation is found (if it is ever found), it could certainly make quite a nice novelty item for collectors, and might grow well in full sun in such places as Great Britain and the extreme West Coast of the United States. In my estimation it is likely that this species will tolerate a few degrees of frost, and its small fronds would make it easy to protect. Pictured in D. L. Jones' Encyclopedia of Ferns.

Cyathea carascana (South America) - This speices grows in Andean cloudforests at elevations up to 14,000'--possibly the highest altitude of any tree fern. It must certainly have some frost tolerance, but there is little information available about it.

Cyathea celebica (northern Queensland, New Guinea, Indonesia) - A very attractive species, whose 10' fronds take on a beautiful rigidity as they uncurl and expand, and whose stipes and upper trunk are covered in sharp black spines. Although a dweller of cool highland rainforests, it is said to adapt to a wide range of climates, and is has even proven slightly frost-hardier than C. cooperi (guessing 25°F), and should certainly be grown in other parts of the world. Closely related to C. leichhardtiana but more attractive and slightly faster growing.

Cyathea degaldii (Central America) - Hardy to at least 27°F.

Cyathea sp. 'floggacera' - Hardy to at least 27°F.

Cyathea fulva (Central and South America) - A little-known dweller of Andean and Central American cloudforests as high as 14,000', along with C. carascana. These are only two of many species from this region that would be worth trying for cold-hardiness.

Cyathea gleichenoides (Papua New Guinea) - A recently introduced species, this one grows at the incredible elevation of 12,400' where the usual temperature range is from about 37°F to 55°F. In order to get enough warmth for adequate growth, the crown has a specialized heat absorbtion mechanism, and it grows mostly in sunny moist sites. It typically inhabits open alpine grassland in the company of C. muelleri where frosts are common, some as severe as 18°F. Interestingly, at this elevation the night temperature is significantly colder at ground level than several feet above ground, and the youngest plants are subjected to the worst of the frosts. However, as with C. atrox, the daily temperature rise above freezing is crucial to frost survival, and I would not advise subjecting one to a severe frost unprotected in cultivation where freezes may persist for several days. So far it seems very adaptable, tolerating a wide range of situations and climates. Its cultural needs are probably similar to those of C. muelleri and C. tomentosissima.

Cyathea howeana (Lord Howe Island) - This robust tree fern grows an attractively scarred trunk to about 10' tall and 6" thick. The soft, light bluish green fronds and attractively scarred trunk of this species make it a worthy subject for cultivation where a more imposing substitute for C. cooperi is desired. It is similarly hardy (guessing 27°F), but may need a bit more heat than C. cooperi does to thrive. In addition, the thick stipes and veins of the fronds make the uncurling croziers remarkably large, which is a stunning sight when all of them uncurl at once in the spring. Pictured in D. L. Jones' Encyclopedia of Ferns.

Cyathea incisoserrata (Indonesia) - A rare, very beautiful species about which little is known. The trunk is about 1' thick and may grow to a great height. It is said to be hardy to 26°F, and therefore should be overwinterable in a zone 8b climate, but I would advise keeping it dry in the winter as with the other tropical latitude species. Presumably it grows at a rather high elevation.

Cyathea kermadecensis (Kermadec Islands, 500 miles east of New Zealand) - A fast and easily grown treefern, rather delicate-looking, whose hardiness is also probably similar to C. cooperi (guessing 26°F). It thrives in a sunny, humid situation, where it will develop an trunk up to 10' tall and about 4" thick, with an attractive crown of 6' long, dark green fronds. The uncurling croziers and stipes are covered in light brown scales.

Cyathea lepifera (Taiwan, Phillipines, Japan) - The twisted uncurling croziers of this species have earned it the interesting common name of "Flying spider monkey tree fern." The graceful, slender trunk, covered with scales near the crown, grows to a height of about 10', and the fronds generally reach about 8' long. It is beautiful and easily grown in cool conditions, requiring only generous amounts of moisture to thrive, and probably tolerating a few degrees of frost.

Cyathea macarthuri (Lord Howe Island) - A large fern similar to C. australis and C. dealbata. Exact hardiness unknown.

Cyathea macgregori (Papua New Guinea) - Grows at very high elevations with C. atrox, C. gleichenoides, and C. muelleri where it is subjected to some frost. More information forthcoming.
Cyathea manniana (East Africa) - This large, coarse treefern is found in gullies at moderate elevations. It is never found growing away from constant moisture and is probably quite cool-tolerant, but perhaps not very frost hardy.

Cyathea 'marleyi' - A very large, robust tree fern with robust scales that is probably hardy to at least a few degrees of frost. It was found in a nursery in Sydney, Australia owned by Judy and John Marley who are well known for their propagation of new and interesting species. Its true genetic origin remains unknown, but it is now being propagated in England and Germany as well.

Cyathea mexicana (Mexico) - This species is reported as thriving in Rossdohan in southwest Ireland. I suspect it is a cool cloudforest species with several degrees of frost tolerance. I have not been able to find out much else about it.

Cyathea milnei (Raoul Island, New Zealand) - A species rather similar to C. dealbata, and likely to be suited to the same conditions, except that it comes from a more tropical climate. The main difference is that it lacks the silvery undersides and stipes of C. dealbata, but it is a beautiful species nonetheless. It has a slender, dark, rough trunk and glossy green, lacy fronds. It may prove to withstand a few degrees of frost.

Cyathea muelleri (Papua New Guinea) - A little-known species from very high elevations (to 12,400') that grows with C. gleichenoides in open grasslands. It should tolerate overnight frosts down to 18°F, but see C. gleichenoides (above) for more detalis.

Cyathea novae-caledoniae (New Caledonia) - This interesting treefern has a large swollen trunk base, appearing from a distance as if it has a butressed trunk. It would probably tolerate a couple degrees of frost.

Cyathea podophylla (Taiwan) According to one source, this species has much more coarsely divided fronds than most Cyatheas resulting in a very different look (assuming the observed specimen was identified correctly). Coming from Taiwan, it might be a little bit cold-hardy.

Cyathea princeps (Central America) - This vigorous species looks quite a bit like C. brownii. Tolerates a few degrees of frost.

Cyathea thompsonii (East Africa) - This treefern comes from the same habitat as C. manniana.
Cyathea ursina (Central America)

Thank:angelfire.com

Treefern: Cibotium

• Cibotium
  A relatively small genus of magnificent tree ferns from Central America, Hawaii and Southeast Asia; not formerly included because they are generally not particularly cold-hardy. However, I did recently hear about someone overwintering the spectacular Hawaiian C. menziesii in the cool climate of Britain, and so decided this genus deserved a little more attention. Cibotium is closely related to Dicksonia.

Cibotium chamissoi-This species is a large, beautiful tree fern with an upright habit. Its cold-hardiness, I would speculate, may be intermediate between that of C. menziesii and C. glaucum. Apparently it forms suckers on the trunk resulting in multiple crowns.

Cibotium glaucum-This large tree fern with leathery fronds is native to Hawaii and can occasionally be found for sale in California. Although the trunk usually does not surpass 12' tall, the beautiful arching fronds can reach a great length. It seems to be able to handle a degree or two of frost without protection, and there may be some large specimens outdoors in sheltered California gardens. It is probably not unlike C. menziesii in its requirements in cultivation, but one reference suggests it is even less cold-hardy. Any attempt to grow it outdoors in zone 8 or 9a would require elaborate winter protection measures, as temperatures more than a couple degrees below freezing would likely be the death of it.

Cibotium menziesii-Cibotium menziesii is probably the hardiest of the Hawaiian Cibotiums, although I am not certain how its hardiness compares to that of C. schiedei. It has a very large, upright crown of fronds, a good one to walk under even if the trunk is short. The stipes are slightly glaucous and uncurling croziers are covered in a brown tomentum.
Despite its tropical origins, it seems able to withstand long, cool winters without its fronds, and it does not require a great deal of heat to begin new growth--a remarkably adaptable plant. One fellow overwintered this species through a temperature of 14°F in England by packing straw bales around his plant. I am therefore optomistic for its potential in similarly cool climates such as that of the Pacific Northwest. It should adapt to hot as well as cool climates, and is also worth trying throughout the Southern United States if appropriate protection measures are taken.

Cibotium schiedei -"Mexican Tree Fern" This species is a small to moderate sized tree fern, easily recognized by its long, arching and drooping light green fronds with elongated pinnae. It can reach 12' tall over time, but trunk development is quite slow; and the fronds may be as long as 10' in favorable situations. Like C. menziesii, the lower stipes are covered with brownish fuzz. The croziers are covered with silky white fuzz. Older plants send up offshots like some species of Dicksonia, untimately forming a clump of treeferns if the offshoots are not removed.
Cibotium schiedei is very easy to grow, and, though it thrives in a shady, damp area, it will tolerate a wide range of conditions. It is also well adapted to pot culture. Its hardiness is reputed to be around 25°F, and it also grows well in cool temperatures. It should make a suitable specimen with winter protection in at least zones 8b and up.

Other species of Cibotium

Cibotium barometz (Southeast Asia)-A small Cibotium that forms little or no above-ground trunk. Has reportedly withstood 24°F in Australia. There are two other species from Southeast Asia which might or might not be as hardy.

Cibotium regale (Mexico)-This species is likely to be rather difficult to grow outside the tropics, but is still worth trying. The beautiful deep-bluish green fronds are rather triangular and held in a very attractive habit with drooping tips. Trunk development is slow, but the trunk can eventually reach 12' tall, with a crown spread of 16'. It requires lots of shade, moisture and protection from wind.

Thank: angelfire.com

Treeferns: Blechnum

• Blechnum
  Blechnums will be dealt with in brief since they do not fall into the category of "true" treeferns. Here is an interesting genus with representatives from all over the world. It includes several familiar species and over 160 not-so-familiar ones. I will not discuss some of the smaller and better known species here (the Gondwanic B. penna-marina, for example, does make a fantastic ground cover, adapting itself to many Northern Hemisphere gardens as long as the climate isn't too severe), just the ones which come closest to falling into the category of "cold-hardy tree ferns" or are otherwise of great interest.
  All Blechnums, except the special crested forms, have simple fronds which are divided only once. With most species, the pinnae are fairly wide with little space in between, giving the fronds the appearance of large, coarse textured leaves. Although not quite on the same scale as many species of Dicksonia and Cyathea, and other large trunking treeferns, they are nevertheless magnificent and should be more widely grown. Most are very primitive looking in a slightly different manner than the more common tree ferns, superficially resembling cycads. All appreciate a moist loamy soil.

Blechnum brasiliense (South America) - This is one of the better known and more common species of Blechnum in warmer climates. It forms a small trunk. On some forms, the new fronds emerge a beautiful pinkish-red, making the fern very attractive. 27°F.

Blechnum chilense (Chile) - A large Blechnum which grows in damp areas in central and southern Chile, and adjacent parts of Argentina. It does not really form a trunk, but has underground rhizomes which spread and send up more crowns in the vicinity of the main plant. In this way it can colonize a large area over time. It tolerates sun if there is enough moisture, but reaches its full splendor in a shady moist cool setting. In such areas its fronds may reach 5' in length, and are a very attractive deep green color.

Blechnum cordatum (South Africa) - This species is very similar to B. chilense; in fact the two may eventually be classified under the same name. It is perhaps a smaller fern than B. chilense. More information forthcoming.

Blechnum cycadifolium (Juan Fernandez Islands) - An interesting Blechnum, and one of many fascinating plants (including a few species of Dicksonia) from the Juan Fernandez Islands. It grows on steep hillsides and cliffs of volcanic rock, in the open, especially near the sea but up to 3,000' elevation. Its fronds have a very tough, leathery look and really do look like cycad leaves when they uncurl. Because the fronds are so tough and wind-tolerant, this may be a good Blechnum for less-than-ideal fern growing conditions. Like cycads, they also form stout trunks. One would think it is probably hardy to at least 20°F. Someone introduce this fern to cultivation, please!

Blechnum discolor (New Zealand) - An attractive Blechnum with very narrow fronds to about 3' long or slightly longer. Forms a trunk to 3' in sheltered situations. Easy in a moist sheltered site, but probably meets the limit of its hardiness around the upper teens F.

Blechnum fraseri (New Zealand etc.) - This is an interesting slender-trunked species from the North Island of New Zealand. It prefers to grow in drier, more open (but not too exposed) patches of forest, and spreads by underground rhizomes to form extensive colonies. The fronds are bipinnate, unusual for a Blechnum. Can be a bit tricky to accomodate in cultivation.

Blechnum gibbum - Listed here because it is common and easy to grow in a warm climate. It quickly forms a small, slender trunk with numerous bright green fronds at the top. 27°F.

Blechnum longicauda (Juan Fernandez Islands) - This extroardinary fern does not form a trunk, but has fronds up to 7' long (but only 8" wide) which have a "bud" at the tip where a new plant will start when the frond tip touches the ground - not unlike the mother fern, Asplenium bulbiferum. Sounds interesting.

Blechnum magellanicum (Chile) - Closely related to B. chilense, this species comes from extreme southern Chile and possibly Argentina in very wet and somewhat cold rainforest. It develops a very large, stout, dark trunk up to 5' tall (taller in sheltered gullies) and has a very impressive crown of many arching fronds which may exceed 6' long. Judging by its place of origin, it has to be hardy to at least about 12°F and perhaps a good bit lower. This is definitely one of the most fascinating Blechnums, looking very much like a Cycad but being much better adapted to a cool maritime climate. It has been grown in England, though it is very rare, and should be introduced to cultivation in the United States.

Blechnum nudum (Australia) - A large Blechnum that grows in woodlands and on streambanks in southeast Australia. It is probably hardy to about 16°F, or possibly lower, and the fronds may reach about 4' long. The plants may contain a large number of fronds at once. Although it really does not form any substantial trunk, it is a spectacular fern for gardens of tree fern enthusiasts.

Blechnum palmiforme (Gough Is., of the South African Coast) - This stout-trunked fern which grows in exposed places looks like nothing so much as a Cycas sp. The fronds are point upward at about a 30° angle from horizontal, atop a clean trunk which reaches about 5'. I have never heard that it is in cultivation.

Blechnum tabulare (South Africa) - A large, very impressive Blechnum coming from Table Mountain in South Africa. Although a tough plant that is able to withstand brush fires in habitat, it has the reputation for not being easy to grow. It also grows in fairly exposed places, where it is subject to wind, frost and snow, but it is probably not extremely cold-hardy (upper teens F might be a good guess). Sometimes the trunks may tend to collapse once they reach several feet high. It is becoming rare in the wild from overcollection.

Treeferns

Please note: "treeferns" are not to be confused with ferns that grow in trees!!! These are called "epiphytic ferns" and are usually small, found commonly on mossy trees in rainforests. (Some even grow on treefern trunks!) A "treefern," on the other hand, actually is a tree in and of itself!. Technically speaking, however, they are not real trees, because true ferns do not develop a woody trunk that functions like other trees. All ferns have a rhizome, from which the fronds emerge. These rhizomes can vary (from species to species) from long to short, or be creeping along the ground, or inconspicuous, and so forth. A tree fern is simply a case of the rhizome being very long and strong enough to support itself.

Leaves of all ferns, including treeferns, are referred to as fronds. On treeferns, the fronds are held at the top of the plant in a spreading manner. They form by uncurling from the crown in the center, which is at the top of the trunk. (This terminology can be slightly confusing, since "crown" is often used loosely to mean the entire top of the plant, including the fronds. Also, with other plants, "crown" may mean something different still.) The crown might be considered the most important part of the plant, since that is where all the leaf growth comes from. If it is destroyed, no more croziers will emerge from it, and the rest of the plant will eventually die.

The frond bases, where they join the top of the trunk, are called stipes; and the fronds when they first begin to emerge and uncurl, and look like a snail's shell, are called croziers. The process of croziers uncurling and expanding to form fronds is really fascinating to watch, and makes tree ferns a lot of fun to grow. Usually it takes several weeks for the expansion of a crozier into a frond to be completed.

The trunk, really a very long upright rhizome, is the part which supports the crown and fronds. Its main roles are to elevate the fronds above competition from surrounding plants, and to transport water and nutrients to and from the fronds and crown. On many spcies, such as Dicksonia antarctica, the trunks are covered in a great mass of roots. Other species, parcticularly Cyatheas, have trunks of a more solid, almost woody substance and form fewer roots above ground level. The roots of all treeferns are small and do not thicken with age as do the roots of woody plants. A few treeferns form underground buds and can even send up runners some distance away from the parent. Such plants are able to recover if the main crown is destroyed, since essentially they have more than one crown.

All treeferns reproduce from spore. The spore develop in structures called sori on the undersides of the fronds. They are found only on mature plants, and when they are released they look like dust. The main method of treefern propagation is to raise them from spore. It takes most species 5 to 20 years before they are old enough to reproduce.

• treeferns grow There are perhaps nearly a thousand treefern species which grow chiefly in the Southern Hemisphere and the tropics. Many of these are quite cold-tender and will suffer if the temperature drops below freezing. But a few from Australia, New Zealand, Africa and some other places are cold-hardy enough to adapt to a less hospitable climate. The list of species on this page is by no means all-inclusive. In addition to these there are probably a number of other species and hybrids that are less well known but could grow in cooler climates. There seems to be a lack of information about tree fern species from South America and Mexico, some of which could be very promising for cool climates. The high Andes, where treeferns thrive up to 14,000' above sea level, and southern Brazil are especially promising places.

• Treefern classification The two main genera of hardy tree ferns are Cyathea and Dicksonia. Species of Dicksonia are readily identified by hairs growing on the newly emerging fronds and the most common Cyatheas can be identified by the presence of scales on many (but not all) species brown scales, white scales. Just because one has scales and one has hairs does not mean that one is a male and the other a female (as one of the contributors to this page was once told by a supposedly qualified nurseryman)! Cyathea formerly consisted of several genera, including Alsophila, Hemitelia and Sphaeropteris. Although they have since been joined, clear distinctions between each group are obvious, and some still regard them as subgenera.

Thank: angelfire.com