Native plants
Mamaku
Scientific name: Cyathea medullaris
English name: Black tree fern
Other names: Black mamaku
Pioneer
Tree, fern
(over 15m)
- native to the Wellington Region
Suits: damp, dry, shade, partial shade, sunny, shelter, exposure, coastal forest garden, wetlands and water features
About Mamaku
Our tallest and one of our most luxuriant tree ferns with a slender, long black trunk covered with a pattern of hexagonal scars from old fallen leaves! Large fronds up to 5 m long, arching upwards from an umbrella like crown. Dead fronds falls off except in very young individuals. Trunk can reach hight as much as 20 meters emerging from the surrounding bush canopy.
A group of mamakucan can be a stunning sight a native garden.
Toilerant of open sunny situations and a relatively high level of wind. Ideally planted however in a location where they receive filteres light or shade on surrounding ground. Keep well watered and moist, especially during summer until well established,
Provides for lizards
- Ground cover for retreat
- Clump forming for camouflage and insects
Read more about gardening for lizards.