About Sphaeropteris cooperi (Hook. ex F.Muell.) R.M.Tryon
Sphaeropteris cooperi is a medium-to-large, fast-growing tree fern that can reach 15 metres (49 ft) in height, with a trunk 30 cm (12 inches) thick. The apex of the trunk and unfurling crosiers are particularly attractive: they are covered in conspicuous, long, silky straw-colored scales. It has a widely spread crown, and its light green fronds can reach a length of 4–6 metres (13–20 ft). Very rarely, specimens may be pale pink with an orange stripe running down the middle of the frond; this variant is extremely rare and can sell for around 2,000 dollars. This species has naturalized outside its native range in Western Australia, South Australia, and parts of New South Wales. It has also naturalized in New Zealand, South Africa, Tanzania, the Mascarene Islands, the Azores, Madeira, and Hawaii, where it is classified as an invasive species. Sphaeropteris cooperi is one of the most commonly cultivated tree ferns used as an ornamental plant. It is grown in private gardens and public landscaping. It is hardy and easy to grow. While heavy frosts may kill its fronds, the whole plant recovers quickly. The plant prefers protected, shady, moist conditions, but it can be grown in sunny areas. It does not thrive or grow in optimal form in full sun, and requires ample watering when grown in sunnier locations. Under its synonym Cyathea cooperi, this species has received the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. It is sometimes mislabeled in the nursery trade as "Cyathea australis", which is a synonym of Alsophila australis.
