Cyathea australis or the Rough Tree Fern is a tall fern with a slender trunk and a crown of large spreading fronds and is a native to southern areas of Australia.
It has persistent prickly rough leaf bases and orange-brown soft scales around the leaf bases especially at the top of the trunk and crown.
These magnificent looking ferns look best when grown as part of a rainforest, fern, tropical style garden or close to water features.
Although these ferns prefer a semi-shaded and sheltered position they will tolerate full sun in cooler climates providing the soil is kept moist.