Cyathea australis (R.Br.) Domin
Tall tree fern, the trunk mostly covered by the persisten bases of the stipes, the fronds, to 3m long, with conical spines on the base of the stipes. To 20m. [FNSW, Beadle].
Horticultural & Botanical History
Introduced to Britain in 1833.
History at Camden Park
Plants were sent to James Backhouse and listed as ‘Tree ferns from Illawarra’ in a letter dated 10th April 1846. [MP A2933-1, p.136]. This consignment is very likely to have included Cyathea australis. Other than Cyathea australis, Cyathea leichhhardtiana (F.Muell.) Copel. and Cyathea cooperi (Hook. ex F.Muell.) Domin, the only other tree fern found in the Illawarra is Dicksonia antartica Labill. See separate entries for these ferns.
This fern was probably also planted in the gardens at Camden Park at this time.
Notes
Published Feb 10, 2009 - 05:07 PM | Last updated Jul 16, 2010 - 05:19 PM
| Family | Cyatheaceae |
|---|---|
| Category | |
| Region of origin | Eastern Australia, including the Illawarra |
| Synonyms |
|
| Common Name | Rough treefern |
| Name in the Camden Park Record | Tree ferns from Illawarra [1] |
| Confidence level | medium |