Cicatrice tree-fern, Straw Tree Fern, Scaly tree fern
Sphaeropteris cooperi

Family: Cyatheaceae

What it is like

A slender, tall tree fern. It grows 12 m high. The trunk is woody and 20 cm across. The fronds are twice divided. They can be dull or shiny green on top and paler underneath. The fronds are 4 m long by 1 m wide. They are long and soft and have a dense covering of brown scales. When the fronds break off they leave oval scars.

There are about 800 Cyathea species.

Where it is found

It grows in tropical and subtropical rainforests. It grows in most forests in Queensland and New South Wales in Australia. The roots need to be kept moist. It is frost tender when young. It can withstand exposure in moist positions. It grows up to 1400 m altitude. Hobart Botanical Gardens. It suits hardiness zones 9-11.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia (country/location of origin), Hawaii, Polynesia, Tasmania

How it is used for food

The central growing heart is eaten after processing. Starch is extracted.

Edible parts

Growing heart, fiddlehead, starch, leaves, fronds

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from spores.

It is a fast growing fern.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Alsophila cooperi Hook. ex F. Muell.; Cyathea cooperi (Hook. ex F. Muell.) Domin; Alsophila excelsa var. cooperi (Hook. ex F. Muell.) Domin; Cyathea brownii var. cooperi (Hook. ex F. Muell) Domin.; Alsophila hilliana F. Muell.; Alsophila australis var. cervicalis F.M.Bail.; Alsophila australis var. excelsa F.M. Bail.; Alsophila australis var. pallida F.M. Bail.;