Unfurling frond of world's largest fern

Native to the east and north of this country, (listed as endangered here in New South Wales)...also Indonesia, Madagascar and Pacific Islands. Angiopteris evecta, known commonly as the giant fern, is a large evergreen fern that has huge bipinnate fronds growing from a large rhizomatous root.

The fronds are the largest known among ferns, growing to between 5 to 7 m in length, making a spectacular display and lovely dappled shade on a summer's day. This is one of the best examples of primitive plant forms still living today with some fossilised fronds being found in rocks around 300 million years old.

comments (5)

Patomarazul

Lion

Fibonacci! Posted 5 years ago

Ferdy Christant

Lion

Had no idea it existed, what an extraordinary species!

Should you ever be in the occasion to capture it again, I would be very interested in how it looks compared to some kind of reference in the scene. Posted 5 years ago
1. Ruth Spigelman
  
  Lion
  
  I appreciate that. This specimen is in the fernery at the Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney (so few left in the wild now)....as you can imagine it's very lush in there, but the walkway so narrow. With the current Covid situation and the other visitors filing in behind me, I didn't feel I was in a position to hang around waiting for a suitable opportunity to make a full scale image. I will certainly be back though and try again. Posted 5 years ago
2. 1. Ferdy Christant
    
    Lion
    
    Totally understand, no worries! Posted 5 years ago

Christine Young

Lion

Incredible! Posted 5 years ago

The Giant fern

''Angiopteris evecta'', commonly known as the giant fern, is a rare plant occurring in eastern and northern Australia and the Malay Peninsula. Also found growing in nearby islands such as Borneo, Sumatra, New Guinea and various places in Polynesia, Melanesia and Madagascar.

Info 1 0

Similar species: Marattiales

Species identified by Ruth Spigelman