Family
Cyatheaceae
Botanical Name
CYATHEA australis
Plant Common Name
Australian Tree Fern, Australian Treefern, Rough Treefern
General Description
Rough tree fern is a luscious, prehistoric-plant with magnificent large green fronds with an unusual tolerance of salt spray and drier soil. This native of the mountain slopes of eastern Australia and nearby Norfolk Islands loves moist friable soils and look its best with high humidity, ample rainfall and avoidance of dry winds. Large fronds are a beautiful medium green above and light green underneath. This tree fern has a comparatively thick "trunk" which is actually an above-ground rhizome from which leaves arise. One of the most entertaining events in the life of a tree fern is the emergence and unfurling of new frond croziers, or fiddleheads.
Australian tree fern can tolerate full sun in areas with cooler summers or lots of irrigation, but in hot summer garden zones, it must have shade from the most intense midday sun. In fact, partial shade under a higher shade canopy produces elegant and lush fronds with ease. If humidity is low, wetting the trunks and crown of the plant helps reduce leaf browning or slowing of new leaf emergence. Take care to avoid getting any of the hairs of the trunk or frond stems on your skin or under your shirt, as they can lead to an unpleasant rash or at least an annoying and persistent need for itching.
The rough tree fern is well-known and utilized in Australia because of its beauty and better cold hardiness, adaptability to a wider range of soil types, and tolerance of salt spray and drier conditions. This helps differentiate it from the more globally-recognized and used Cooper's tree fern.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
12 - 7
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USDA Hardiness Zone
10 - 11
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Sunset Zone
H1, H2, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
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Plant Type
Fern
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial Shade, Full Shade
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Height
15'-30' / 4.6m - 9.1m
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Width
10'-25' / 3.0m - 7.6m
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Native To
Australia
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
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Soil Drainage
Average
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Soil type
Clay, Loam, Sand
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Tolerances
Wet Site, Salt
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Growth Rate
Slow
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Water Requirements
Average Water, Ample Water
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Habit
Upright/Erect
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Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
None
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Light Green, Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Light Green, Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Light Green, Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Winter)
Light Green, Dark Green
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Fragrant Flowers
No
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Repeat Bloomer
No
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Showy Fruit
No
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
Yes
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Foliage Texture
Bold
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Foliage Sheen
Matte
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Evergreen
Yes
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Showy Bark
No
