Dicksonia lanata

stumpy tree fern, tuokura

Dicksonia lanata occurs through much of the North Island and on the northern west coast of the South Island.  In Northland it is common in kauri forests, but to the south it is more associated with forest of colder habitats, particularly beech and kamahi.

It is unusual in that while northern populations produce a trunk, albeit only to c. 2 m, southern populations do not.  The short or absent trunk easily distinguishes Dicksonia lanata from the other New Zealand Dicksonia.  Its long, green to orange-brown frond stalks further distinguish it from D. fibrosa (short, green frond stalks) and D. squarrosa (long and dark brown).