Alsophila dregei

Alsophila dregei, commonly the well-known South African grassland tree fern and previously Cyathea dregei, reaches 5 m in height. Its arching pale green fronds cluster at the top of an erect, dark-brown stem that seldom branches. It is usually covered in brown scales and old leaf bases.

The fronds, the main attraction, may reach 3 m in length with tripinnate structure. The leaf stalks are smooth, the leaflet margins entire. Leaflets may be hairless or have sparse, rusty, hair-like scales which tend to fall off easily. Spores are produced in sori positioned along the veins on the under-surfaces of the leaflets. Sori are clusters of sporangia, structures found on fern fronds that produce and contain the spores. Their shapes often give clues for identifying fern species.

The species distribution is in the Western Cape, the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and the four provinces north of the Vaal River, as well as in some neighbouring countries.

The habitat is forest margins, wooded kloofs and in the open on streambanks and moist grassy slopes. The habitat population is deemed of least concern early in the twenty first century.

The tree fern has become a sought-after garden plant. Before planting one, consider whether your garden has the moisture, a protected spot with partial sunlight out of the way of big winds, a conducive temperature range with no frost, composted soil and the right neighbouring plants to keep it company. There should be good drainage and ample mulch of organic material (Coates Palgrave, 2002; iNaturalist; Wikipedia; http://redlist.sanbi.org).