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Dicksonia antarctica
  • Tree Fern

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

248px
Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • Earth stabiliser
    Earth stabiliser
    There are no details available for this function.
Light
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • partial shade
    Partial shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Unknown
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 8
    Zone 8
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Dicksonia antarctica has 0 edible uses listed
Dicksonia antarctica has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Toxic parts

Although we have found no reports of toxicity for this species, a number of ferns contain carcinogens so some caution is advisable[1]. 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[2].

Edible uses

Notes

The pith in the upper part of the trunk just below the growing point is eaten raw or roasted[3][4][5][6]. It is rich in starch[7][8] but also contains tannin and is astringent[5]. Descriptions of the taste vary from bitter to sweet, astringent and like a bad turnip[6]. The core of the plant near the growing tip is used[6]. Harvesting the stem kills the plant so this use cannot normally be condoned[6]. The stem contains about 61 kilocalories per 100g[6]. Young leaves - cooked. Harvested just before they unfurl, they are juicy and slimy, tasting like bitter celery[6].

Leaves

Unknown use

Stem

Unknown use

Material uses

This species is used in New Zealand to stabilize roadside cuttings[1].
There are no material uses listed for Dicksonia antarctica.

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

Astringent[5].

Unknown part

Astringent

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Earth stabiliser

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

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[1].

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Dicksonia antarctica. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Requires a sheltered woodland position and a moist soil[9][1]. Strongly resents drought or dryness at the roots[1].

A very ornamental plant[10], it is hardy to about -5°c[11][1], succeeding outdoors in the milder areas of Britain where it thrives and often self-sows in Cornish gardens[12]. One report says that some forms are hardy to at least -7°c[13]. Plants can tolerate snow but are intolerant of severe frosts[9][1]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[14]. 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[13]. Plants can be cut down and, if they are kept moist, the top portions can be replanted and will form new roots[13]. The stump, however, will not regenerate since it is simply dead organic matter[13].

It is best to leave old fronds on the plant in order to protect the trunk from cold and desiccation[15].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Dicksonia antarctica. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Dicksonia antarctica.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Dicksonia antarctica
Genus
Dicksonia
Family
Dicksoniaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[3][4][5][6][7][8]
Medicinal uses
[5]
Material uses & Functions
[1]
Botanic
[9][1]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Earth stabiliser
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
8
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
Shade
partial shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    evergreen
    Herbaceous or Woody
    ?
    Life Cycle
    ?
    Growth Rate
    slow
    Mature Size
    9 x 4 meters
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    ?
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type

    "image:SoriDicksonia.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:SoriDicksonia.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:SoriDicksonia.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:SoriDicksonia.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:SoriDicksonia.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:SoriDicksonia.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:SoriDicksonia.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:SoriDicksonia.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:SoriDicksonia.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:SoriDicksonia.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:SoriDicksonia.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:SoriDicksonia.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:SoriDicksonia.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:SoriDicksonia.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






    References

    1. ? 1.01.11.21.31.41.51.61.71.8 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    2. ? Schofield. J. J. Discovering Wild Plants - Alaska, W. Canada and the Northwest. ()
    3. ? 3.03.1 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.1 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.15.25.35.4 Ewart. A. J. Flora of Victoria. ()
    6. ? 6.06.16.26.36.46.56.6 Low. T. Wild Food Plants of Australia. Angus and Robertson. ISBN 0-207-14383-8 (1989-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.1 Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing (1976-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.1 Cribb. A. B. and J. W. Wild Food in Australia. Fontana ISBN 0-00-634436-4 (1976-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.19.2 Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (1981-00-00)
    10. ? F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    11. ? Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books ISBN 0-330-30258-2 (1989-00-00)
    12. ? Arnold-Forster. Shrubs for the Milder Counties. ()
    13. ? 13.013.113.213.3 Wrigley. J. W. and Fagg. M. Australian Native Plants. Collins. (Australia) ISBN 0-7322-0021-0 (1988-00-00)
    14. ? Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. ISBN 0 460 86048 8 (1990-00-00)
    15. ? Taylor. J. The Milder Garden. Dent (1990-00-00)

    "image:SoriDicksonia.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    Retrieved from "https://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Dicksonia_antarctica&oldid=76873"
    Facts about "Dicksonia antarctica"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyDicksoniaceae +
    Belongs to genusDicksonia +
    Functions asEarth stabiliser +
    Has binomial nameDicksonia antarctica +
    Has common nameTree Fern +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partLeaves + and Stem +
    Has edible useUnknown use +
    Has growth rateSlow +
    Has hardiness zone8 +
    Has imageSoriDicksonia.jpg +
    Has mature height9 +
    Has mature width4 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAstringent +
    Has primary imageSoriDicksonia.jpg +
    Has search namedicksonia antarctica + and tree fern +
    Has shade tolerancePartial shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil texture preferenceSandy +, Loamy + and Clay +
    Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
    Has taxonomy nameDicksonia antarctica +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Is deciduous or evergreenEvergreen +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    PFAF cultivation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF edible use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF material use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF medicinal use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF propagation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF toxicity notes migratedNo +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +
    Has subobjectThis property is a special property in this wiki.Dicksonia antarctica +, Dicksonia antarctica + and Dicksonia antarctica +