New Zealand tree fern facts for kids
Quick facts for kids New Zealand tree fern |
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Dicksonia
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| Species: |
squarrosa
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The New Zealand tree fern, also known as whekī or rough tree fern, is a type of tree fern that grows only in New Zealand. Its scientific name is Dicksonia squarrosa. This fern has a thin, black trunk. Often, you'll see many dead brown leaves (called fronds) around its trunk.
Contents
About the Whekī Fern
What Does It Look Like?
The whekī fern grows quite fast. It can grow between 10 and 80 centimeters (about 4 to 31 inches) each year. It can reach a height of about 6 meters (nearly 20 feet).
This fern does not have many leaves, which are called fronds. These fronds grow almost straight out from the trunk. They are about 1.5 to 3 meters (5 to 10 feet) long. The fronds feel a bit stiff or crisp when you touch them. They create a small "umbrella" shape at the top of the trunk.
How It Grows
Sometimes, new fronds can even grow from parts of the trunk that look dead. The trunks of the whekī are often used by people for fences or garden edges. If the top of a trunk dies, fronds might still sprout from its sides.
A special thing about the whekī is its underground stems, called rhizomes. These rhizomes spread out and can create thick groups of ferns. This is why the whekī is one of the most common tree ferns found in New Zealand's forests.
Meaning of Its Name
The scientific name squarrosa comes from Latin. It means "with curving ends," which describes how the fronds of this fern curve.
How People Use and Care for Whekī
Growing Whekī in Gardens
The whekī fern is quite strong and can handle some sun and wind. However, it grows best in a spot that has some shade and not too much wind. If it's too exposed to the weather, it might not look its best.
If you live in a place where winter temperatures drop below 4–5 °C (39–41 °F), you might need to protect your whekī. You can cover it with a shade cloth or pack straw around its top. Because its fronds are small and compact, this fern is a good choice for pots or smaller gardens. It has even won an award called the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. This award means it's a great plant for gardens.
Traditional Māori Uses
The Māori people, who are the native people of New Zealand, used to use the dead trunks of the whekī. They would use them to build fences around their fortified villages, called Pā.
See also
In Spanish: Wheki para niños
