Sphaeropteris cooperi
Cyathea cooperi | |
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C. cooperi in Blendys Garden, Madeira | |
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Species: | C. cooperi
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Binomial name | |
Cyathea cooperi (W. J. Hooker ex F. von Mueller) Domin, 1929
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Cyathea cooperi, also known as the Australian tree fern, lacy tree fern, scaly tree fern, or Cooper’s tree fern, is a medium-to-large, fast growing tree fern native to Australia. This fern grows to 15 metres (49 ft) in height with a 12-inch (30 cm) thick trunk. The apex of the trunk and unfurling crosiers are particularly attractive, covered as they are with conspicuous long, silky, straw colored scales. The crown is widely spread and the light green fronds may reach a length of 4–6 metres (13–20 ft).
Cultivation
This is one of the most commonly grown tree ferns used in gardens and commercial landscaping. It is hardy and easy to grow. Heavy frosts may kill the fronds, but plants recover quickly. They prefer protected, shady moist conditions but can be grown in sunny areas. It does not do well in full sun and must be well watered.
Native to New South Wales and Queensland, it has naturalised in Western Australia, South Australia, and parts of New South Wales where it is not native. It has also naturalized in Hawaii and has become a problem there as an aggressive invasive species.
Sometimes mislabeled in the nursery indstry as C. australis.
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Detail of trunk and insertion of fronds.
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Detail of trunk
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Unfurling crosiers
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Unfurling crosiers
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Crown
References
- Braggins, John E. & Large, Mark F. 2004. Tree Ferns. Timber Press, Inc., p. 115. ISBN 0-88192-630-2
- The International Plant Names Index: Cyathea cooperi
Further reading
- Notes on the Status of an Invasive Australian Tree Fern (Cyathea cooperi) in Hawaiian Rain Forests. A. C. Medeiros, L. L. Loope, T. Flynn, S. J. Anderson, L. W. Cuddihy, K. A. Wilson. American Fern Journal, Vol. 82, No. 1 (Jan. - Mar., 1992), pp. 27-33. doi:10.2307/1547758