Cyathea medullaris - black tree fern, mamaku

Spectacular, fast growing tree fern from New Zealand, Fiji and Polynesia.

Can grow to 20m tall, with impressive fronds up to 5m long. The trunk is black and is covered with hexagonal stipe bases.

Not very hardy. Only overwinter outside in very mild locations, some protection is advisable, especially when small.

Would benefit from a sheltered situation where the fronds can get some sun, but the trunk remain moist.

Definitely one of my favourite tree ferns. There are four trunked specimens growing outside in my garden.

Last winter, 2008/09, was quite a severe one here in Cornwall, causing these plants to loose all of their

fronds. All four plants have survived though and are producing new fronds.

Cyathea medullaris growing outside in Cornwall