Ptisana salicina facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ptisana salicina |
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Ptisana
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salicina
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The Ptisana salicina, also known as the king fern, is a very large fern. It grows naturally in Australia, New Zealand, and islands across the South Pacific. This fern looks like a tropical plant with huge leaves, called fronds, that can grow up to 5 meters (about 16 feet) tall! Its base is starchy and was a traditional food for the Māori people. You might also hear it called para, tawhiti-para, or horseshoe fern.
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Where King Ferns Live
The king fern is native to many places. These include Norfolk Island, New Zealand, New Caledonia, the Cook Islands, Austral Islands, Society Islands, and the Marquesas Islands. In New Zealand, you can find it in low-lying areas in the northern part of the North Island. It grows best in the western Waikato region.
King ferns love to grow in forests, especially where the soil has lots of limestone. You might spot them near the entrances of caves or along shady stream banks. In New Zealand, they often grow close to other native plants like parataniwha (Elatostema rugosum) and supplejack (Ripogonum scandens).
Why King Ferns Are in Danger
Sadly, the number of king ferns in New Zealand is shrinking. They are seriously threatened by animals like wild pigs, goats, and farm animals such as cattle. These animals eat the ferns, making it hard for them to grow big and strong.
You can mostly find large king ferns only in places where animals are carefully controlled. They also survive in hard-to-reach spots, like inside cave entrances or deep, steep-sided gorges. Another problem comes from plant collectors. Some people have taken too many plants, which has caused some groups of king ferns to disappear.
What King Ferns Look Like
The king fern has green, strong stems that look a bit like canes. These stems can be 1 to 3 meters long. When new fronds start to unroll, they are protected by a large, ear-shaped part at their base. The mature fronds are shiny and dark green. They can be 4 meters, and sometimes even 5 meters, long and 2 meters wide!
Young king fern fronds are not as strong. They can wilt quickly if they get too much sunlight. In the Kawhia area, you might find a special kind of king fern. Its adult leaflets have unique, crested tips. King ferns that are old enough can produce spores, which are like tiny seeds, at any time of the year.
How King Ferns Grow
Growing new king ferns can be tricky. You can try to grow them from spores, but this takes a very long time. Sometimes, you can find king ferns for sale at plant nurseries that specialize in native plants.
Images for kids
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A close-up of a king fern frond.
See also
In Spanish: Ptisana salicina para niños
