Cyathea australis

Print

Common Name:

Rough Tree-fern

Family:

Cyatheaceae

Distribution (from Flora of Victoria):

Wannon, Grampians, Midlands, Victorian Volcanic Plain, Otway Range, Eastern Highlands, Gippsland Plain, Gippsland Highlands, Wilsons Promontory, East Gippsland (DEJKNPRSTVW) also Qld, NSW, Tas
Map - Australasian Virtual Herbarium

Distribution and ecological preference at Wilsons Promontory (if known):

Most common tree-fern at the Prom, grows in moist habitats such as shaded gullys and wet forests 1,2

Flower Description:

N/A

Habit:

Medium-tall tree fern to 15 m 1

Distinguishing characteristics (within family/genus):


The rough undersurface of the frond stalks distinguishes this fern from the Soft Tree-fern (Dicksonia antarctica), its trunk is wider and fronds longer (to 4m rather than 3m) than C. cunninghamii 1

Images:

Image: David Meagher
Image: David Meagher

Links to more images:

Atlas of Living Australia MELU

Links to description of this species:

NSW Flora VicFlora

Conservation status:

Not threatened

References:

1 Meagher, D. and Kohout, M. (2001). “A field guide to Wilsons Promontory”. Oxford University Press, South Melbourne, Vic.
2 Walsh, N. G. and Entwisle, T. J. “Flora of Victoria”, volumes 2 (1994), 3 (1996) and 4 (1999). Inkata Press, Port Melbourne, Victoria