''Alsophila kermadecensis'',

synonym A synonym is a word, morpheme, or phrase that means exactly or nearly the same as another word, morpheme, or phrase in a given language. For example, in the English language, the words ''begin'', ''start'', ''commence'', and ''initiate'' are all ...

''Cyathea kermadecensis'', is a species of tree fern endemic to Raoul Island in the Kermadec Islands, where it is locally common in damp, and sometimes drier, forest and scrub. The trunk of this plant is erect, slender (to about 4.5 inches (eleven centimeters) diameter) and up to 20 m (65 feet) tall. It has a massive basal swelling, composed mostly of adventitious roots, which can be up to 13 feet (four meters) high and 6.5 feet (two meters) thick. The trunk is often covered with scars of old stipe-bases. Fronds are tripinnate and up to 4 m in length. The rachis and stipe are both brown in colouration and bear basal scales that are brown, glossy, and often twisted. Sori are borne on either side of the pinnule midvein. They are covered by hood-like indusia. Large and Braggins (2004) note that ''A. kermadecensis'' is similar to '' Alsophila cunninghamii''. ''A. kermadecensis'' should be cultivated in good

humus In classical soil science, humus is the dark organic matter in soil that is formed by the decomposition of plant and animal matter. It is a kind of soil organic matter. It is rich in nutrients and retains moisture in the soil. Humus is the Lati ...

and provided shade as well as shelter from the wind. Nevertheless, it is a hardy species that will survive full sun and slight frost. The specific

epithet An epithet (, ), also byname, is a descriptive term (word or phrase) known for accompanying or occurring in place of a name and having entered common usage. It has various shades of meaning when applied to seemingly real or fictitious people, di ...

''kermadecensis'' refers to the Kermadec Islands. ''A. kermadecensis'' is one of two tree fern species endemic to the islands, the other being ''

Alsophila milnei Alsophila may refer to: * ''Alsophila'' (moth), a genus of moth * ''Alsophila'' (plant), a genus of tree ferns {{Taxonomy disambiguation ...

''.

References

{{Taxonbar, from1=Q17185054, from2=Q5197606 kermadecensis Flora of the Kermadec Islands Ferns of New Zealand