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What Is the Biggest Fern?

Ferns are a large, ancient group of plants. Many cling low to the ground, growing in the cool shade of coniferous trees. Some are commonly grown as houseplants, such as the Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata). Others are epiphytic, clinging to rocks and trees rather than growing in the soil. Some are described as trees themselves. The latter group are the Cyathea or Dicksonia species of ferns, and they are the biggest ferns in the world.

  1. About

    • Tree ferns look much like palm trees. They are not trees, however, in that they reproduce with spores.They grow on a single trunk topped with a cluster of fronds. The trunk actually functions as a rhizome, through which new fronds grow and emerge. Native to tropical rainforests (most species are found in New Zealand and Australia), tree ferns are often classified by their size and cold-hardiness. Unlike most types of ferns, tree ferns actually grow very quickly, which accounts for their large sizes. Some slow-growing species, such as the Hawaiian tree fern (Cibotium splendens), remain smaller than 15 feet, but others grow to heights of 70 feet or more.

    Species

    • The largest ferns in the world are from the Cyathea family of tree ferns. Cyathea brownii is the species that grows the tallest, with ferns being measured as tall as 78 feet. Each individual frond on these trees may reach lengths of 16 feet. C. brownii trees are rare, as they are found growing only on Norfolk Island, off the coast of Australia. For this reason, they are also called Norfolk tree ferns. Another tree fern, Cyathea medullaris, grows to heights of 66 feet but has longer fronds, which can reach 20 feet in length. This fern is often called the black fern because of its black trunk. Cyathea cooperi is a smaller species of tree fern that is commonly grown in gardens, according to the Australian National Botanic Gardens. This tree fern reaches heights of 40 feet and has very long fronds that can reach lengths of 15 feet.

    Culture

    • Tree ferns vary in their climatic needs. Most love warm, humid weather. A few, such as the popular C. cooperi, can tolerate brief periods of freezing weather. The ferns grow best in rich, moist soil and in a location where they will be sheltered from hot and cold winds. The plants also enjoy afternoon shade and high humidity levels.

    Considerations

    • All tree ferns are threatened species, according to the University of Hawaii Cooperative Extension's website. This is because their habitats, rain forests, are being destroyed. The habitat of Norfolk tree ferns are protected by the government, but this is not the case in other areas of the world. Some Hawaiian tree ferns are growing in protected areas as well. Purchase a tree fern only from a nursery -- do not take them from the wild -- and make sure you care for it properly.

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Outdoor Growing
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  2. What's the Perfect Habitat for a Leatherleaf Fern?
  3. What Kingdom Is the Apple Tree In?
  4. What Is the Lifespan of a Maple Tree?
  5. What is the Herb Boswellia?
  6. How to Prune Ferns in the Northwest
  7. What Is the Green Fern on a Fruit Tree?
  8. What Kind of Ferns Have Stems?
  9. Can the Sun Cause Ferns to Brown?
  10. What Are the Tiny Dots on the Underside of a Fern?
  11. What Is the Origin of the Gumdrop Tree?
  12. What Eats Ferns?

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