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(Sphaeropteris cooperi)
Lacy Tree Fern (Sphaeropteris cooperi)
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Hedwig Storch
CC BY-SA 3.0
Image By:
Hedwig Storch
Recorded By:
Copyright:
CC BY-SA 3.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Hedwig Storch | License Type: CC BY-SA 3.0 | License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0 | Uploader: Hedwig Storch | Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Title: Funchal,_Monte_-_Cyathea_cooperi_(Australischer_Baumfarn)_IMG_1916.JPG | Notes: |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Sphaeropteris cooperi, commonly known as Lacy Tree Fern, is an evergreen fern native to the moist, shaded understory of Eastern Australian rainforests. It is a medium-to-large, fast-growing tree fern that can reach up to 15 meters (49 ft) in height with a trunk diameter of about 30 cm (12 inches). The Lacy Tree Fern is characterized by its arching, delicate fronds that can span several feet in length, creating a graceful, lacy canopy. The fronds are bright green when young, maturing to a deeper hue. This fern does not produce flowers or seeds, but reproduces via spores that are found on the undersides of the fronds.
The Lacy Tree Fern is highly valued for its lush foliage and tropical appearance, making it a popular choice for gardens, public landscaping, and as an indoor plant in atriums or conservatories. It is relatively hardy, though heavy frosts may damage the fronds; however, the plant typically recovers well. While it can tolerate some sun, it thrives in protected, shady, and moist conditions. It is important to maintain consistently high humidity and soil moisture for optimal growth. The Lacy Tree Fern has been awarded the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit, indicating its excellence for garden use. In cultivation, it requires full to partial shade, abundant water, and well-draining soil with rich organic matter.CC BY-SA 4.0
The Lacy Tree Fern is highly valued for its lush foliage and tropical appearance, making it a popular choice for gardens, public landscaping, and as an indoor plant in atriums or conservatories. It is relatively hardy, though heavy frosts may damage the fronds; however, the plant typically recovers well. While it can tolerate some sun, it thrives in protected, shady, and moist conditions. It is important to maintain consistently high humidity and soil moisture for optimal growth. The Lacy Tree Fern has been awarded the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit, indicating its excellence for garden use. In cultivation, it requires full to partial shade, abundant water, and well-draining soil with rich organic matter.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Fern
- Height: 10-20 feet
- Width: 8-15 feet
- Growth Rate: Rapid
- Flower Color: N/A
- Flowering Season: Non-Flowering
- Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Shade
- Water: High
- Drainage: Slow, Medium
Common Uses
Deer Resistant, Potted Plant, Salt Tolerant
Natural Habitat
Moist, shaded understory of Eastern Australian rainforests
Other Names
Common Names: Scaly Tree Fern, Cooper’s Cyathea, Cooper’s Tree Fern
Scientific Names: , Cyathea cooperi, Sphaeropteris cooperi, Alsophila cooperi, Alsophila australis var. cervicalis, Alsophila australis var. excelsa, Alsophila australis var. pallida, Alsophila excelsa var. cooperi, Alsophila hilliana, Cyathea australis var. cervicalis
GBIF Accepted Name: Sphaeropteris cooperi (F.Muell.) R.M.Tryon