Angiopteris evecta

Giant Fern
Conservation status
Conservation Dependent  (EPBC Act)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Division:	Pteridophyta
Class:	Marattiopsida
Order:	Marattiales
Family:	Marattiaceae
Genus:	Angiopteris
Species:	A. evecta
Binomial name
Angiopteris evecta (G.Forst.) Hoffm.
Synonyms
Polypodium evectum G.Forst. Angiopteris elongata Hieron.

Angiopteris evecta, commonly known as the Giant Fern, is a rare plant occurring in eastern and northern Australia. Also found growing in nearby islands such as New Guinea and various places in Polynesia and Melanesia.^[1] Listed as endangered in New South Wales, where it has been recorded growing in sub tropical rainforest, in the valley of the Tweed River.^[2] It is an invasive species in Hawaii and Jamaica.

Angiopteris evecta is the type species of the genus Angiopteris. It was originally described as Polypodium evectum by Georg Forster in 1786,^[3] before being reclassified and given its current binomial name in 1796 by Georg Franz Hoffmann.^[4] The species name is the Latin adjective evectus "swollen" or "inflated".^[5] Common names include giant fern, king fern, oriental vessel fern, and mule's foot fern.

The huge mature fronds measure up to 8 metres (25 ft) long. They originate from a large thick rootstock, up to 150 cm (60 in) high.

Angiopteris evecta can be grown in well-drained moist sites in the garden with some shade. It is unable to be propagated by spores but the lobes from the frond base can be removed and will form a new plant in around a year in a medium of sand and peat.^[5]

References