Wig tree fern facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Wig tree fern |
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| Conservation status | |
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Rare (NCA)
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Alsophila (plant)
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| Species: |
baileyana
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| Synonyms | |
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The Wig Tree Fern, also known as Alsophila baileyana or Cyathea baileyana, is a special type of tree fern. It gets its common name from the unique way its leaves grow, making it look like it's wearing a wig! This fern is native to the wet, forested areas of northeastern Queensland in Australia. It's quite rare and not often seen in the wild.
Contents
All About the Wig Tree Fern
What Does It Look Like?
The Wig Tree Fern has a straight trunk that can grow up to 4 to 5 meters (about 13 to 16 feet) tall. This trunk is usually around 10 centimeters (4 inches) wide. Sometimes, the top part of the trunk is covered with old leaf bases.
One cool thing about this fern is that it can grow new plants, called offshoots, from the bottom of its trunk. This helps it spread!
Its large leaves, called fronds, can be very long. They are usually about 2 to 3 meters (6 to 10 feet) long, but some can reach an amazing 7 meters (23 feet)! The main stem of the frond and its stalk are dark red and often have small, bumpy scales. These scales are purplish-brown to black and have a long, hair-like tip.
Why Is It Called the Wig Tree Fern?
The most interesting feature of this fern is how its leaves are arranged. The last pair of leaf sections, called pinnae, grow separately from the others. They form a thick clump right at the top of the trunk. This clump looks a lot like a wig, which is how the fern got its name! When the plant is young, this "wig" is green. As the fern gets older, it might turn a brownish color.
The scientific name baileyana honors an Australian plant expert named Frederick Manson Bailey (1827-1915).
Where Does It Live?
This rare fern grows in wet, deep valleys and forests. It prefers higher places, usually found at altitudes between 850 and 1200 meters (about 2,790 to 3,940 feet) above sea level.
Growing This Fern
The Wig Tree Fern grows quite slowly. If you were to grow it in a garden, it could handle a little bit of cold weather, even a few degrees of frost. However, it's known to be tricky to grow new plants from seeds or cuttings.
