Scaly Tree Fern

Scaly Tree Fern: Cyanthea cooperi

• The most commonly seen tree fern at Chambers Wildlife Rainforest Lodges .

• There are seven species of tree ferns in the Wet Tropics, three of them endemic. 

• Although all seven are found in the uplands, only two, the scaly, or Cooper’s, tree fern (Cyanthea cooperi) and black tree fern (Cyanthea rebeccae) are found in the tropical lowlands. 

• The most common and most widespread, the scaly tree fern, is also the largest, growing to a height of 15m with a 30 cm thick trunk. 

• The trunk is patterned with large oval scars left by fallen fronds. It is hardy and often grown in gardens.

• Unlike conifers and other advanced trees, tree ferns are not capable of producing secondary timber. 

• This means that their trunks cannot become thicker, growth occurring only from the top. 

• The trunk is pithy on the inside but hard on the outside and is often covered with a mass of tough aerial roots.

•  If the tree fern is knocked over these can grow into the ground and develop as normal roots.

Courtesy of: Environmental Protection Agency, Cairns.

Also known as the ‘Scaly tree fern’, it is characterized by the following:

• Trunk up to 15 cm in diameter and to 12 m or more tall, thickened at the base and patterned throughout with large oval, clean-cut scars left by fallen fronds. 

• Stipe bases brown, tuberculate, covered by long, white and short, red-brown scales. 

• Fronds up to 6 m long, green above, paler beneath. 

• Sori orbicular, surrounded by circular indusia, each made up of scales.

• It is a very handsome, fast-growing species, which is extremely popular in cultivation. 

• The apex of the trunk and unfurling crosiers are particularly attractive, covered as they are with conspicuous long, silky, white scales. 

• Specimens from northern Queensland have less persistent scales. 

• Some extremely robust specimens are occasionally encountered in north-eastern Qld. 

• These closely resemble the Norfolk Island C. brownii in all respects.

  Confusing species: 

• None.

  Distinguishing Features: 

• The trunk patterned by fallen stipes.

• The stipe bases bearing two types of scales.

Distribution:

•  Qld (from Cooktown South), NSW (as far South as the Illawarra district). 

• Naturalized in WA (Bedfordale).

Cultivation:

•  Very easily grown and very hardy. 

• Heavy frosts may kill the fronds, put plants recover quickly.

Jones. D.L, Clemesha. S.C., Australian Ferns and Fern Allies, 1980

Additional Scaly Tree Fern Photo 2

Additional Scaly Tree Fern Photo 3
 

Chambers Wildlife Rainforest Lodges
Lake Eacham, Atherton Tableland
Tropical North Queensland, Australia.
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