Trebrown Nurseries was the first to introduce this plant into cultivation back in 2001 under its old name of Cyathea lepifera, where other retailers now supply our spore and plants using that name. As with most Cyathea sp. their names have had resent revision. We collect our Sphaeropteris lepifera spore from high elevation mountain forests on the Taiwan mainland, therefore we regard this provenance as being in the cold-hardier end of the species’ natural range, and thereby believe this provenance capable of tolerating, but with some defoliation, several degrees of frost.
Sphaeropteris lepifera is a huge tree fern growing to 8-10 ft. (2.4-3 m). Occurring at altitudes exceeding 2000 m in Taiwan. It can withstand mild frosts. The common name of Flying Spider-monkey Tree Fern is derived from the twisted croziers. The new unfurling fronds-look like monkey arms.
It grows in a range of environments and generally in drier forest margins. It has value as a conservatory plant, or a houseplant provided a reasonable amount of humidity can be maintained.
Cyathea lepifera is native to Taiwan, southern China, the Philippines, New Guinea, and the Ryukyu Islands (Japan). Listed in the 1997 IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants as rare.
