Silver fern facts for kids

The silver fern, also known as ponga or punga, is a special type of tree fern that only grows in New Zealand. You can easily spot it because the underside of its mature leaves (called fronds) is a shiny silver-white color. This unique fern is a very important symbol for New Zealand, both for people living there and for those overseas.

About the Silver Fern

This fern can grow quite tall, sometimes reaching over 10 meters (about 33 feet)! It usually has a thick top, and its mature fronds can be around 4 meters (about 13 feet) long. The silver-white color on the underside of the fronds is very distinctive. People have even used this silver side to mark paths for walking at night, as it reflects light.

The fern's stem, called a rhizome, is usually straight and forms a woody trunk. This trunk can grow up to 12 meters (about 39 feet) tall and is covered in light brown or white parts from old leaf stems.

Where the Silver Fern Lives

The silver fern arrived in New Zealand a long time ago, about 5 to 1.8 million years ago. You can find it on New Zealand's main islands, though it's not common in the west and south parts of the South Island. It also grows on the Chatham Islands to the east.

Its favorite places to grow are in the shadier parts of dry forests and in open scrubland. Sometimes, you can also find it at the edges of forests or in more open areas. The fern grows best in soil that drains water well and has lots of humus (rich, dark soil). Once it's settled, it can handle drier conditions. It likes to be protected from strong winds and cold frost.

The Silver Fern in New Zealand Culture

The Koru or unfurling frond of the silver fern

The silver fern has been an important symbol for New Zealand for a long time. One of its first official uses was by the New Zealand Army during the Second Boer War. Later, it was used by New Zealand soldiers in both World Wars. You can even see the silver fern carved on the gravestones of New Zealand soldiers who died in these wars.

During a conflict in 1956 called the 1956 Suez Crisis, New Zealand peacekeepers wore the silver fern on their uniforms to show they were from New Zealand, different from British or Australian soldiers. Since then, New Zealand peacekeepers have used both the silver fern and the kiwi bird as symbols.

Some British Army groups also wear the silver fern. This is usually a special honor given to them for fighting alongside New Zealand troops in battles, like at the Second Battle of El Alamein.

The silver fern is also used on many products, especially dairy items. It has been a trademark since 1885! You can see it as a logo for many companies, like the train company KiwiRail. There's even a special train called the "Silver Fern."

You can find silver fern leaves on the coat of arms of New Zealand, which is the country's official symbol. Some ideas for a new New Zealand flag have also featured the silver fern. It's also used in politics, for example, as the logo for the New Zealand Labour Party.

The Māori people, who are the first people of New Zealand, discovered the silver fern. A Māori legend says that the silver fern once lived in the sea. Māori hunters would use the silver underside of the fern leaves to find their way home in the dark. When bent, the leaves would catch the moonlight and light up a path through the forest.

The koru symbol is inspired by the shape of a silver fern frond as it unrolls. This symbol is very common in Māori art, from carvings to the official Māori flag. It's also used in a stylish way as the logo for Air New Zealand, the national airline. The round shape of the koru shows constant movement, and its curled shape suggests returning to where you started.

The silver fern is one of the most recognized symbols of New Zealand, along with the kiwi bird. However, it is not an official national symbol.

• 

  A proposed silver fern flag design from the 2015 flag vote

• 

  An Air New Zealand plane with a koru on its tail and a silver fern on its side

• 

  An All Blacks jersey from 1905, showing a silver fern

Use in Sport

The silver fern has been a symbol for New Zealand's national sports teams for a long time. It was first worn by players in 1888. The national netball team is even called the "Silver Ferns." Many other national women's sports teams also have names based on "Ferns," like the Black Ferns (women's rugby) and Football Ferns (women's soccer).

Some national sports teams that use the silver fern include:

The silver fern is also a big part of the official symbols for New Zealand's Olympic teams.

Images for kids

• 

  Queen Elizabeth II wearing the Silver Fern Brooch in her official portrait as Queen of New Zealand, 2012

See also

In Spanish: Helecho plateado para niños