Tree Fern Species
Tree ferns are tall, stately plants that live in both temperate and tropical rainforests, although at least one species, New Zealand's golden tree fern, exists on the Auckland islands, where temperatures drop to 15 degrees Fahrenheit. Does this Spark an idea?
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Identification
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Tree ferns can grow quite tall: some grow up to 40 feet. They have lacy fronds that extend from the top of the single trunk up to 20 feet, depending on the species. Typically, tree ferns thrive best in moist, mostly shady conditions. Indigenous peoples have used this plant for many purposes, such as fluffy pillow stuffing.
Types of Tree Ferns
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Numerous species of tree ferns are indigenous to the world's tropical rainforests. The Hawaiian tree fern grows at higher, cooler elevations and reaches a height of over 10 feet. The Australian tree fern is taller -- up to 40 feet -- and favors tropical areas of Australia such as Queensland. The Tasmanian and New Zealand tree ferns are similar species that grow in the Southern Hemisphere.
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Endangered and Invasive Species
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The Brazilian native tree fern, Dicksonia sellowiana, is endangered due to widespread over-harvesting of this plant for sale to the nursery industry. Australian tree ferns are classified as invasive in Hawaii because of their habit of dominating the habitat of the native Hawaiian tree fern.
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