Species
Cyathea medullaris
Etymology
Cyathea: From the Greek kyatheion 'little cup', referring to the shape of the indusium
medullaris: pithy (trunk)
Common Name(s)
Black tree fern, Mamaku, Black mamaku
Threat Status
Non Threatened
Status 2004
Non Threatened
Authority
Cyathea medullaris (G. Forst.) Sw.
Family
Cyatheaceae
Flora Category
Vascular - Native
Synonyms
Sphaeropteris medullaris (G.Forst.) Bernh.; Cyathea medullaris var. polyneuron (Colenso) C.Chr.; Cyathea medullaris var. integra Hook.; Cyathea polyneuron Colenso; Polypodium medullare G.Forst.;
Distribution
Indigenous. Occurring form the Three Kings Islands south to Stewart and the main Chatham Islands. Uncommon in the drier eastern portion of the South Island, and apparently absent from Canterbury and Otago.
Habitat
Common in lowland forest throughout the North Island. Primarily in wetter coastal areas of the South Island.
Features
Tree fern up to 20 m tall. Trunk black covered with hexagonal stipe bases. Stipes thick, black, harsh to touch, covered in black scales. Scales with marginal spines. Fronds up to 5 m long, arching upwards from crown, 3-pinnate, leathery, dead fronds falling (except in very young plants). Longest primary pinnae 0.4-1 m long, undersurfaces bearing scales with marginal spines. Indusia completely covering sori at maturity, splitting irregularly.
Similar Taxa
Easily recognised by trunk with its distinctive hexagonal stipe scars and by the scales which possess marginal spines.
Flowering
None (spore bearing)
Main Flower Colour
No Flowers
Fruiting
None (spore bearing)
Propagation Technique
Can be grown from fresh spores (but slow). Young plants transplant easily and freshly felled trunks will usually resprout if planted and carefully watered. Easy, once established in a variety of conditions. Should not be removed from the wild unless with landowner permission.
Threats
Not Threatened.
Chromosome No.
2n = 138
Endemic Taxon
No
Endemic Genus
No
Endemic Family
No
This page last updated on 3 Feb 2013