Practical
Plants

Dicksonia antarctica

Tree Fern

an evergreen member of the Dicksonia genus in the family Dicksoniaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Foliage
evergreen
Growth rate
slow
Height
9 m
Spread
4 m

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Although we have found no reports of toxicity for this species, a number of ferns contain carcinogens so some caution is advisable[11]. Many ferns also contain thiaminase, an enzyme that robs the body of its vitamin B complex. In small quantities this enzyme will do no harm to people eating an adequate diet that is rich in vitamin B, though large quantities can cause severe health problems. The enzyme is destroyed by heat or thorough drying, so cooking the plant will remove the thiaminase[8].

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The pith in the upper part of the trunk just below the growing point is eaten raw or roasted[13][15][5][10]. It is rich in starch[2][4] but also contains tannin and is astringent[5]. Descriptions of the taste vary from bitter to sweet, astringent and like a bad turnip[10]. The core of the plant near the growing tip is used[10]. Harvesting the stem kills the plant so this use cannot normally be condoned[10]. The stem contains about 61 kilocalories per 100g[10]. Young leaves - cooked. Harvested just before they unfurl, they are juicy and slimy, tasting like bitter celery[10].

Plant part
Leaves
Plant part
Stem

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Astringent[5].

Product or use
Astringent

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

This species is used in New Zealand to stabilize roadside cuttings[11].

Ecology and functions

Earth stabiliser

Environment

Range
Australia - New South Wales, Tasmania, Victoria.
Habitat
Damp sheltered woodland slopes and moist gullies[4].
Shade tolerance
partial shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 8+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Spores - can be sown at any time in a warm greenhouse. Surface sow and enclose the pot in a plastic bag in order to keep it moist. Place in light shade. Germinates in 1 - 3 months at 20°c. Prick out small clumps of plants when they are large enough to handle and grow on in a shaded part of the greenhouse for at least the first 2 years. Plant out in late spring after the last expected frosts. The spores can be stored dry for up to 10 years[11].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Requires a sheltered woodland position and a moist soil[3][11]. Strongly resents drought or dryness at the roots[11]. A very ornamental plant[1], it is hardy to about -5°c[9][11], succeeding outdoors in the milder areas of Britain where it thrives and often self-sows in Cornish gardens[14]. One report says that some forms are hardy to at least -7°c[6]. Plants can tolerate snow but are intolerant of severe frosts[3][11]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[12]. The 'trunk' of this plant is merely the decaying remains of earlier growth of the plant and forms a medium through which the roots grow[6]. Plants can be cut down and, if they are kept moist, the top portions can be replanted and will form new roots[6]. The stump, however, will not regenerate since it is simply dead organic matter[6]. It is best to leave old fronds on the plant in order to protect the trunk from cold and desiccation[7].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

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  2. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

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  3. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  4. Cribb. A. B. and J. W. Wild Food in Australia. Fontana 1976-00-00 ISBN 0-00-634436-4

    ↩1↩2

  5. Ewart. A. J. Flora of Victoria.

    ↩1↩2↩3

  6. Wrigley. J. W. and Fagg. M. Australian Native Plants. Collins. (Australia) 1988-00-00 ISBN 0-7322-0021-0

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  7. Taylor. J. The Milder Garden. Dent 1990-00-00

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  8. Schofield. J. J. Discovering Wild Plants - Alaska, W. Canada and the Northwest.

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  9. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30258-2

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  10. Low. T. Wild Food Plants of Australia. Angus and Robertson. 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-207-14383-8

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  11. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7

  12. Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8

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  13. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

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  14. Arnold-Forster. Shrubs for the Milder Counties.

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  15. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

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