Additional notes (click to expand)

Commemorative

James Dickson (1738-1822) British Botanist and Nurseryman. One of the founders of the RHS and the Linnean Society.
Stearn, W.T. (1996). Dictionary of Plant Names for Gardeners. Cassell.

Horticulture

Copious water should be applied during summer months. Trunks should be doused in water in hot dry weather to encourage rooting through stem. Propagation from spores.
RHS. (1999). Dictionary of Gardening, RHS. Huxley, T

Medicinal

Sap used to sooth insect bites by aborigines.
Plant label at RBGKew

Other use

Pith a starch source for aborigines
Mabberley, D.J. (1997) The Plant Book, ed.2, Cambridge University Press 225

Geographical distribution

  • Australasia, Australia, New South Wales
  • Australasia, Australia, Queensland
  • Australasia, Australia, Tasmania
  • Australasia, Australia, Victoria

Dicksonia antarctica Labill.

Family: CYATHEACEAE
Genus: Dicksonia
Species: antarctica Labill.
Common names: Soft Tree Fern; Australian Tree Fern; Tasmanian Tree Fern; Woolly Tree Fern
Distribution summary: Australia
Habit: Tree
Hardiness: H3 - Half hardy; unheated greenhouse/mild winter
Habitat: Damp sheltered woodland slopes and moist gullies
Garden status: Currently grown
Garden location: Southern Hemisphere (K), Far East (L)
Reason for growing: Medicinal


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