Plant
Silver Fern
Alsophila dealbataAlso known as Silver Tree-fern, Ponga
Silver Fern is a New Zealand tree fern with a dark fibrous trunk and crown of long arching fronds. Mature fronds develop a striking silver-white underside that flashes when wind turns the leaflets.
tree fernsilver frond undersideNew Zealand endemic
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyPhotosynthesis; fibrous roots absorb moisture and minerals from humid forest soil
Predators
- possums
- deer
- fern moth larvae
ThreatsForest clearing, drought, fire, browsing mammals, severe frost, and illegal collection
HabitatsTemperate rainforest, damp gullies, forest margins, regenerating woodland, and shaded slopes
Life spanA long-lived perennial that can persist for several decades
Classification
- FamilyCyatheaceae
- SpeciesAlsophila dealbata
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Wild ferns have look-alikes; do not eat, ingest, cut, or transplant any material.
Responsible observation
- Underside: Look for silver-white beneath fully mature fronds.
- Growth: Stay outside the root zone and never cut fronds for identification.
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