Todea barbara
Austral King-fern
Tree fern with barrel-shaped trunk covered in dark brown to black fibrous aerial roots.
Additional information
- FamilyOsmundaceae
- StoreyMiddle storey
- Size2-3 m x 4 m
- Plant groupingFerns & Fern Allies
- LeavesDense, often multiple crowns. Arching fronds to 2.5 m long, frond stem within root mass, smooth; leaf section egg-shaped, shiny, leathery, twice divided, 25-65 cm x 12-35 cm
- FlowersNon-flowering. Numerous large round red-brown spore cases on lower sections of the frond.
- Bird attractingNo
- Butterfly attractingNo
- Frog habitatNo
- Growing conditionsMoist to wet organic soil, tolerating waterlogging, in shaded gullies, along watercourses and in swamps of mountain and foothill forests. Dappled and full shade.
- Garden useSlow growing and long lived tree fern requiring constant moisture. Plant beside shaded pools to take advantage of arching fronds. Fern gardens.
- Commercially availableSpecialist Australian plant nursery
- Conservation statusScattered to uncommon in its preferred habitat within the Shire.
- Related speciesDiffers from Cyathea species and Dicksonia in that the fronds are only divided twice instead of 3 times. It has a shorter trunk and glossy, leathery fronds.
Photo Gallery
Photographer/s: Marilyn Bull ©
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