This fern has a short erect rhizome that can become trunk-like with age. It is black and fibrous with several crowns of erect fronds at the apex. The arching shinny bright green fronds have pendant segments and form a spreading crown.

Hardiness zones 8 to 10

Todea barbarais naturally found in Australia from Queensland to New South Wales, Victoria and northern Tasmania. This fern is also found in New Zealand and South Africa where it grows along creek banks, around waterfalls or near caves and in damp gullies amongst rocks where it may become stunted.

It tolerates most well drained humus rich moist soils in a semi shaded humid position and is planted in small shaded gardens or in rainforest-like settings with wind and drought protection but is frost tolerant.

The King Fern is grown for its upright leafy habit and is planted in coastal or mountainous regions along water courses, gully planting or in small gardens along shady borders. It establishing in 3 to 5 years and grown in ferneries as a feature specimen or planted in rock crevices.ID 2170

Todea(to-DEE-ah) barbara(bar-BAR-ra)

Osmundaceae(OS-mun-DAY-see-ee)