Alsophila ferdinandii

Alsophila ferdinandii, synonym Cyathea macarthurii, is a fern in the family Cyatheaceae.^[1]

Alsophila ferdinandii
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Division:	Polypodiophyta
Class:	Polypodiopsida
Order:	Cyatheales
Family:	Cyatheaceae
Genus:	Alsophila
Species:	A. ferdinandii
Binomial name
Alsophila ferdinandii R.M.Tryon[1]
Synonyms[1]
Cyathea macarthurii (F. Muell.) Baker Cyathea moorei Baker Hemitelia macarthurii F. Muell.

Description

The plant is a treefern with a trunk up to 4 m in height, either shaggy with dark frond bases, or clear with round scars. The fronds, growing to 50 cm, have prickly stipes covered with a light brown, woolly indumentum.^[2]

Distribution and habitat

The fern is endemic to Australia’s subtropical Lord Howe Island in the Tasman Sea. The commonest tree fern on the island, it is widespread from the lowlands to the mountains.^[2]