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 smithii'', commonly known as the soft tree fern or kātote, is a species of tree fern from New Zealand.
Distribution and ecology
The species' natural distribution covers all major islands of New Zealand: the North and
South Island
The South Island, also officially named , is the larger of the two major islands of New Zealand in surface area, the other being the smaller but more populous North Island. It is bordered to the north by Cook Strait, to the west by the Tasman ...
Katote is an understory tree fern that grows up to 8 m tall but tends not reaching into the canopy as do other iconic members of this genus. It grows slowly and is not a strong competitor except at higher altitudes. Like related tree ferns, it has rough scales along its rachis and trunk. A distinctive feature is the retention of dead fronds as a skirt. The skirt is not the whole frond, only the central rachis, making it a more compact skirt than that of ''
Dicksonia fibrosa
''Dicksonia fibrosa'', the golden tree fern, whekī-ponga or kuripaka (in Māori) is a species of medium-sized tree fern native to New Zealand.
''D. fibrosa'' has a thick, soft and fibrous rusty brown trunk. It holds on to its dead leaves produ ...
'', another skirt clad tree fern.
''Alsophila smithii'' produces masses of very soft and delicate looking fronds which spread horizontally from the crown and reach 2–2.5 m in length.
Cultivation
''Alsophila smithii'' suffers in exposure to wind, sun and frost and is prone to drying out, but can be grown successfully in sheltered areas.
Uses
The pith was traditionally used as a starch source, but as it is rich in resin, it would likely be a food of last resort or at least an acquired taste. Tree fern trunks have been used as rough building material, fencing, and makeshift trackwork.
File:Cyathea smithii.jpg, Illustration from ''The Botany of the Antarctic Voyage of H.M. Discovery Ships Erebus and Terror''
File:Cyathea smithii6.jpg, Showing spores
File:Cyathea smithii grove.jpg, Habitat and distinctive skirts