King Fern (Ptisana salicina)
Kingdom:Plantae
Division:Pteridophyta
Class:Marattiopsida
Order:Marattiales
Family:Marattiaceae
Genus:Ptisana
Species: P. salicina
Binomial name: Ptisana salicina
Synonyms: Marattia salicina, Marattia fraxinea, Marattia fraxinea sensu
Common name: King fern, para, tawhiti-para, horseshoe fern.
Ptisana salicina is a species of fern native to New Zealand and the South Pacific. Large and robust with a distinctive tropical appearance, it has fronds up to 5 metres tall that arise from a starchy base that was a traditional food for the Maori. 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.
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.
Ptisana salicina covering a hillside at the Burgess Park, New Plymouth.
Ptisana salicina growing at the Rogan Street entrance to Pukekura Park
New frond developing
Underside of frond
Close up of King fern sori
Photo of Ptisana salicina frond bracts. The bracts at the base of the frond were a prized Maori delicacy.
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