Cyathea cooperi |
Cyathea cooperi - Coin-spot Treefern (Subg. SPHAEROPTERIS, sect. Sphaeropteris, subsect. Sphaeropteris) IDENTIFYING FEATURES: * tall robust treefern of both lowlands (including coastal) & mountains... usually found close to creeks, often with the crown in full sun ... seldom forms extensive stands ... east coast & mountains from central New South Wales to north Queensland (shown above in the 'Moss Garden' in Carnarvon Gorge - inland central Queensland) * distinctive coin-spot trunk, diameter varying considerably * large sori, crowded, virtually covering the underside of fertile fronds * croziers covered in a mixture of long pale scales (more abundant on crown and stipe base) and shorter rusty-red scales This is a very variable species with many different forms, some of which are very close to Cyathea brownii from Norfolk Is. It is especially hardy in cultivation. |