Fauna
Plant

Spiny Tree Fern

Alsophila spinulosa

Also known as Flying Spider-Monkey Tree Fern

Spiny tree ferns tower over humid forest floors across subtropical Asia, bearing a crown of massive feather-like fronds atop a single fibrous trunk. Sharp, prominent prickles cover the bases of the leaf stalks, offering protection and giving the plant its distinctive name. As living fossils from an ancient lineage, they thrive in shaded ravines where constant moisture and warm temperatures persist year-round.

Tree FernAncient LineageForest Understory
Spiny Tree Fern reference1 / 7
(c) Yu-Chang Chen, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyAutotrophic (Photosynthetic)
Predators
  • Herbivorous Insects
ThreatsHabitat loss, forest clearing, over-harvesting for horticulture
HabitatsHumid subtropical and tropical forests, mountain ravines, stream banks
Life span50–100 years
Classification
  1. FamilyCyatheaceae
  2. SpeciesAlsophila spinulosa
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
What to notice
Recognized by its tall woody trunk topped with broad fronds and sharp spines along the lower leaf stems.
Support conservation
Observe from marked trails without damaging fronds or harvesting wild specimens.
Responsible observation
  • Observing Spines: Examine the sharp prickles dense near the leaf stem bases with care.
  • Habitat Spotting: Search in damp, forested gullies and along shaded mountain stream banks.
  • Spore Inspection: Check the undersides of mature fronds for round sori containing reproductive spores.
Related species
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