Ptisana salicina

Ptisana salicina
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Conservation status
Serious decline
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Division:	Pteridophyta
Class:	Marattiopsida
Order:	Marattiales
Family:	Marattiaceae
Genus:	Ptisana
Species:	P. salicina
Binomial name
Ptisana salicina (J.E. Sm.) Murdock
Synonyms
Marattia salicina J.E. Sm. Marattia fraxinea sensu J.B.Armstr.

Ptisana salicina, or king fern, is a species of fern native to Australia and the South Pacific. Large and robust with a distinctive tropical appearance, it has fronds up to 5 metres (16 feet +/-) tall that arise from a starchy base that was a traditional food for the Maori. It has several other common names including para, tawhiti-para, and horseshoe fern.

Distribution

King fern is indigenous to Norfolk Island (the type locality), New Zealand, New Caledonia, Cook Islands, Austral Islands, Society Islands and the Marquesas. In New Zealand it is found in lowland areas on the north-western half of the North Island from inland Wanganui northwards. It is most abundant in the western Waikato, where it is found in forests and forest remnants. It prefers limestone-rich soils, including the entrances to caves entrance and tomo shafts and shady stream sides. It often grows in association with parataniwha (Elatostema rugosum) and supplejack (Ripogonum scandens).

Threats

King fern is in serious decline, seriously threatened throughout its range by feral and domestic cattle, wild pigs and goats. Large plants no longer exist except in areas where there has been rigorous control of animals, or in inaccessible cave entrances or steep-sided gorges in karst areas. Another serious threat comes from plant collectors who are said to have wiped out several large populations in the Kawhia district.

Description

The green cane-like leaf stalks are 1 to 3 metres long. The young fronds are protected as they uncoil by a large ear-shaped basal lobe at the base. The glossy, dark green fronds are 4 metres, sometimes 5 metres long and 2 metres wide. The juvenile fronds are less robust, and wilt quickly if exposed to sunlight. In the Kawhia area, a distinctive form is sometimes encountered, which has crested tips on the adult leaflets. Specimens of suitable age may produce spores at any time in the year.

Propagation

File:Kingfern Auckland.jpg

King fern, Auckland Domain

Propagation is difficult. King fern can be grown from spores, but this is extremely slow. It is sometimes offered for sale in nurseries that specialise in native plants.

See also

• Marattia purpurascens from Ascension Island.
• Danaea kalevala, a related plant from the Caribbean and boto.