Silver fern

Silver fern
Frond, showing the silver-white underside

Not Threatened (NZ TCS)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Division: Polypodiophyta
Class: Polypodiopsida
Order: Cyatheales
Family: Cyatheaceae
Genus: Alsophila
Species:
A. tricolor
Binomial name
Alsophila tricolor
Synonyms

  • Cyathea dealbata (G.Forst.) Sw.
  • Cyathea falciloba (Colenso) Domin
  • Cyathea tricolor Colenso
  • Hemitelia falciloba Colenso
  • Polypodium dealbatum G.Forst.

Alsophila tricolor, synonym Cyathea dealbata, commonly known as the silver fern or silver tree-fern, or as ponga /ˈpɒŋə/ or punga /ˈpʌŋə/ (from Māori kaponga or ponga), is a species of medium-sized tree fern, endemic to New Zealand. The fern is usually recognisable by the silver-white colour of the under-surface of mature fronds. It is a symbol commonly associated with the country both overseas and by New Zealanders themselves.

Alsophila tricolor is the correct name for Cyathea dealbata in Alsophila because the epithet dealbata is preoccupied by Alsophila dealbata C.Presl (now a synonym of Sphaeropteris glauca).