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Common Name: Tree Fern

General Information

Dicksonia antarctica is a Evergreen Fern up to 9.00 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials.

Known Hazards

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

Botanical References

, ,

Range

Australia - Queensland, New South Wales, Tasmania, Victoria.

Habitat

Damp sheltered woodland slopes and moist gullies[]. Common in high rainfall forests from sea-level to 1000 m; often dominates wet, shady gullies and frequently grows in extensive stands[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Evergreen Fern
Height	9.00 m
Growth Rate	Slow
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

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

Edible Uses

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

Medicinal

Astringent[].

Other Uses

The fibrous trunks provide a suitable substrate for other plants including bryophytes, ferns and orchids[].

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[].