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Scientific Name
Cyathea cunninghamii
Family Name
CYATHEACEAE
Common Name
Slender tree-fern
Status
Rare
Height
0.1m - 0.2m (10-20cm)
Flowers
Fruit
Spores
Form
Trunk tall and slender, to 12cm diameter. Fibrous at base, woody above.
Municipalities
Break O'Day; Burnie; Dorset; Huon Valley; King Island; Kingborough; Tasman; Waratah-Wynyard; West Coast
Communities
Rainforest; Coastal fern gullies
Habitat Notes
Rare species with only scattered populations in Tas. occurring at creek level in sheltered coastal fern gullies below 150m and rarely in rainforest.
Site Tolerance
Moist; Shady
Frost Tolerance
Soil Tolerance
Fertile; Loam; Sandy; Well-drained
General Notes
Fronds, or portions of fronds, containing ripe spores can be placed in a paper bag which is left upright in a dry and draught-free place. Spores should begin to release immediately and all spores are released within days unless the species has tough, leathery fronds. Spores settle at the bottom of the bag. Some species produce vast quantities of spores from one frond, others require dozens of fronds to produce the same amount.After sowing specks of green appear after 2-4 weeks. These are the young prothalli and during the next 6-12 months they are at risk from overcrowding and pathogens. When the first fronds appear the sporelings can be slowly hardened by gradual removal of the container cover. Great care must be taken to avoid drying out. Prick out sporelings when the second frond appears. Suitable below powerlines.
Propagation Details
Propagation Calendar
Flowering Months
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Seed Collecting Months
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Sowing Months
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Cutting Months
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Seed Information
Seed Collection
Sori covered by indusia.spores are collected when mature on the frond. unripe sori are generally light green then change to yellowish brown and to dark brown or black when mature
Seed Treatment Method
Standard
Seed Storage Life
Viable Seeds Per Gram
Seed Treatment Notes
Sow spores into a pot in a water retaining medium with good drainage. Sterilise medium & containerwith boiling water and sow spores bysprinkling a small amount onto the surface of the medium. Cover immediately with clean glass or plastic wrap and leave in a warm area in strong light but not direct sunlight.*
Germination Time
Suitable for Direct Seeding
Cuttings
Expected Time to Take Root
Expected Time to Plant Out
Propagation by Division
N.B. Transplant only from nearby to avoid disease.
Cutting Notes
* Very particular in its requirements. Needs complete protection from hot sun and wind with abundant water through summer months. Young sporelings are susceptile to damping off and are difficult to establish. This species is suitable for tub culture.
Copyright 2000-2009, Understorey Network Incorporated. Updated 2024-10-12
Database development and website design by
Andrew Smith