Common name: Black Tree-fern, Rough Tree-fern
Cyathea australis (R.Br.) Domin APNI* Synonyms: Alsophila australis R.Br. APNI*
Description: Trunk 2.5–20 m high, 16–40 cm diam., covered, at least in upper part, by the persistent bases of the stipes; scales of trunk and stipe base shiny, red-brown, stiff and often twisted, 2–5 cm long, with inconspicuous pale fragile edges.
Fronds 2–3 m long; stipe to 60 cm long, bearing conical spines on the dark brown base; lamina mostly 3-pinnate or sometimes 2-pinnate with secondary pinnae pinnatifid, dark green above, paler green below, ultimate segments shallowly crenate to toothed.
Sori lacking a true indusium but base of sorus often bears a semicircular series of small scales.
Distribution and occurrence: Widespread in rainforest or open forest, in gullies or on hillsides in moist, shady situations.
NSW subdivisions: NC, CC, SC, NT, CT, ST, NWS, CWS
Other Australian states: Qld Vic. Tas.
Text by Peter G. Wilson
Taxon concept: P.D. Bostock (1998)
APNI* Provides a link to the Australian Plant Name Index (hosted by the Australian National Botanic Gardens) for comprehensive bibliographic data
***The AVH map option provides a detailed interactive Australia wide distribution map drawn from collections held by all major Australian herbaria participating in the Australian Virtual Herbarium project.
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