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Sphaeropteris cooperi

(Hook. ex F.Muell.) R.M.Tryon (1970)

This name is accepted

Kingdom: Viridiplantae Phylum: Pteridophyta Class/Clade: Polypodiopsida Order: Cyatheales Family: Cyatheaceae Genus: Sphaeropteris

Australian tree fern, scaly tree fern

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Description

Key Characters:

Growth Form:

Stems:

Roots:

Leaves:

Sori:

Gametophyte:

Ploidy:

Habitat:

Elevation Range:

Historical Distribution

Uses and Culture

USES

Natural History

Statewide Status

Naturalized

Island Status

Kaua'i Naturalized
O'ahu Naturalized
Molokai Potentially naturalizing
Lana'i Naturalized
Kaho'olawe Potentially naturalizing
Maui Naturalized
Hawai'i Unknown

Dispersal Agents

Water/Ocean

Bibliography

Name Published In: Contr. Gray Herb. 200: 24 (1970)

Other References

Palmer 2003:243 (K, O, M, H); Staples & Herbst 2005:32 (DESCR [as Cyathea cooperi]); Oppenheimer 2008:26 (L); Palmer & Thomas in press (Mo); Paul Higashino pers. comm. 2025 (Ka? [observed but no spm. from under rain catchment])

Occurrences

SNo. Scientific Name Locality Habitat Basis of Record Description Recorded By Record Number Island Source Date
1 Sphaeropteris cooperi W Maui, Hoholua, Maunalei Arboretum Closed-canopy, alien dominated forest. Assoc. vegetation: Cinnamomum burmannii, Ardisia elliptica, Diplazium sandwichianum, Thelypteris hudsoniana, Psidium. Preserved_Specimen Meidell, J.S. 187 Maui BISH 1997-03-07
2 Sphaeropteris cooperi Halelea Forest Reserve. Powerline Trail Preserved_Specimen Ranker, T.A. 1994 Kauai BISH 2004-03-22
3 Sphaeropteris cooperi Waiopa Gulch Occasional, naturalized, plants destroyed when found in gulch bottom in lowland wet to mesic forest. Preserved_Specimen Large tree fern with 2m tall trunk and fronds 3m+. Individual pinnae collected with portions of rachis. Oppenheimer, H.L. 90705 Lanai BISH 2007-09-05
4 Sphaeropteris cooperi Honolulu: Kahala; 3653 Kahala Avenue; residence of C. F. Johnston In full sun. Preserved_Specimen Single erect stem 1.5 m tall w/fronds up to 2.5 m long. Lau, J. 2136 Oahu BISH 1986-03-17
5 Sphaeropteris cooperi East Maui, Hana District, Hana District,Kipahulu Valley Growing as an aggresive weed. Preserved_Specimen Gagné, B.H. 3056 Maui BISH 1991-04-24
6 Sphaeropteris cooperi W Maui, Lahaina District, Honokahua, S of Valley In shade of planted Cryptomeria, with Dicranopteris ground cover. Preserved_Specimen Single 1m tall trunk, fronds fertile. Oppenheimer, H.L. 60403 Maui BISH 2004-06-10
7 Sphaeropteris cooperi East Maui, Hana District, Hana District,Kipahulu Valley Growing as an aggressive weed. Preserved_Specimen Gagné, B.H. 3056 Maui BISH 1991-04-24
8 Sphaeropteris cooperi Oahu Forest National Wildlife Refuge, Kipapa Stream, upslope ca 300 yd from stream. Dicranopteris-dominated slope. Preserved_Specimen Tree 3 m tall. Two trees found ca 500 m apart. Hanley, J. Oahu BISH 2011-09-08
9 Sphaeropteris cooperi Koloa Dist.; Lihue-Koloa Forest Reserve, Wahiawa drainage; along main fork & upper tributaries of Wahiawa stream to crest of ridge just SW of Kapalaoa Diverse wet forest dominated by Metrosideros spp., Antidesma, Psychotria, Perrottetia, Hedyotis tryblium, Cyrtandra spp., Labordia spp., Broussaisia, Dubautia, Melicope spp., Freycinetia, Syzygium, Tetraplasandra & w/mixed open patches of Dicranopteris/Diplopterygium especially on the sides & crest of ridge; invaded by Psidium cattleianum, Rubus rosifolius. Preserved_Specimen Erect caudex of 1'; fronds 4-5' long; stipe pale green above darker green below w/whitish-green aerenchyma tissue running up into rachis; rachillae greenish-yellow; pinnae medium green above, paler below. Flynn, T.W. 4593 Kauai BISH 1991-04-12
10 Sphaeropteris cooperi W Maui, Lahaina District, Honokahua, S of Valley In shade of planted Cryptomeria, with Dicranopteris ground cover. Preserved_Specimen Single 1m tall trunk, fronds fertile. Oppenheimer, H.L. 60403 Maui BISH 2004-06-10
11 Sphaeropteris cooperi Oahu Forest NWR, Koa ridge, above Mililani Mauka. Site of October 30, 2023 fire. On ridge, edge of burned area, full sun, moist, formerly dominated by uluhe. Associated; Falcataria sp., Ardisia elliptica, Nephrolepis brownii x exaltata, Acacia koa. Preserved_Specimen 3-5 m tall, 10 cm DBH. Population moving down north slope. Arthur, K. 52 Oahu BISH 2025-02-10
12 Sphaeropteris cooperi W Maui, Hoholua, Maunalei Arboretum Closed-canopy, alien dominated forest. Assoc. vegetation: Cinnamomum burmannii, Ardisia elliptica, Diplazium sandwichianum, Thelypteris hudsoniana, Psidium. Preserved_Specimen Meidell, J.S. 187 Maui BISH 1997-03-07
13 Sphaeropteris cooperi Kalihi Valley, above waterfall Two plants along trail. Non-native dominated lowland mesic forest. Preserved_Specimen In the field, specimen did not seem to match description of Sphaeropteris cooperi (see enclosed notes.) However, experts we consulted agreed that the perceived differences in morphology did not exclude it from the taxon. Kawelo, K. 185 Oahu BISH 2010-05-09
14 Sphaeropteris cooperi Honolulu; Bishop Museum In shade house at back of campus. Grown in 18' wooden box. Preserved_Specimen 6x6' tree fern; leaves pale green; 1 frond with sori, circular, brown; trunk reddish brown hair Evans, M.A. 1 Oahu BISH 1990-06-20
15 Sphaeropteris cooperi East Maui, Hana District, Hana District,Kipahulu Valley Growing as an aggresive weed. Preserved_Specimen Gagné, B.H. 3056 Maui BISH 1991-04-24
16 Sphaeropteris cooperi Koolaupoko, Waiahole, Waiahole Forest Reserve, along old access road Growing in partial shade under Albizia canopy in highly degraded Windward wet forest. 3 m tall individual next to gate of possible residence. Associates; Pandanus tectorius, Ardisia elliptica, Ficus sp., Epipremnum aureum. Preserved_Specimen k. Arthur 240 Oahu BISH 2026-01-07
17 Sphaeropteris cooperi W Maui, Hoholua, Maunalei Arboretum Closed-canopy, alien dominated forest. Assoc. vegetation: Cinnamomum burmannii, Ardisia elliptica, Diplazium sandwichianum, Thelypteris hudsoniana, Psidium. Preserved_Specimen Meidell, J.S. 187 Maui BISH 1997-03-07
18 Sphaeropteris cooperi Honolulu; Bishop Museum In shade house at back of campus. Grown in 18' wooden box. Preserved_Specimen Tree fern 6' tall & 6' across; lvs pale green. 1 frond found with sori, these circular, brown. Trunk w/reddish hair. Evans, M.A. 1 Oahu BISH 1990-06-20
19 Sphaeropteris cooperi W Maui, Lahaina District, Honokahua, S of Valley In shade of planted Cryptomeria, with Dicranopteris ground cover. Preserved_Specimen Single 1m tall trunk, fronds fertile. Oppenheimer, H.L. 60403 Maui BISH 2004-06-10
20 Sphaeropteris cooperi East Maui, Hana District, Hana District,Kipahulu Valley Growing as an aggresive weed. Preserved_Specimen Gagné, B.H. 3056 Maui BISH 1991-04-24
21 Sphaeropteris cooperi East Maui, Hana District, Hana District,Kipahulu Valley Growing as an aggresive weed. Preserved_Specimen Gagné, B.H. 3056 Maui BISH 1991-04-24
22 Sphaeropteris cooperi W Maui, Lahaina District, Honokahua, S of Valley In shade of planted Cryptomeria, with Dicranopteris ground cover. Preserved_Specimen Single 1m tall trunk, fronds fertile. Oppenheimer, H.L. 60403 Maui BISH 2004-06-10
23 Sphaeropteris cooperi Waianae Range: along the summit of the Waianae Mountains from Mauna Kapu to Pali Kea and beyond Cloud forest on the windward side. Preserved_Specimen Wilson, K.A. 2519 Oahu BISH 1996-02-06
24 Sphaeropteris cooperi Honolulu; Bishop Museum In shade house at back of campus. Grown in 18' wooden box. Preserved_Specimen Tree fern 6' tall & 6' across; lvs pale green. 1 frond found with sori, these circular, brown. Trunk w/reddish hair. Evans, M.A. 1 Oahu BISH 1990-06-20
25 Sphaeropteris cooperi W Maui, Lahaina District, Honokahua, S of Valley HUMAN_OBSERVATION Big Island Invasive Species Committee (BIISC) Maui HAPI 11/13/2008
26 Sphaeropteris cooperi Moanalua Valley Wet ridgeline near Koolau summit. Growing out of Dicranopteris linearis. Preserved_Specimen Caudex covered in deciduous brown scales. Caudex approx. 1 m Arthur, K. 20 Oahu BISH 2025-01-03
27 Sphaeropteris cooperi East Maui, Hana District, Hana District,Kipahulu Valley Growing as an aggresive weed. Preserved_Specimen Gagné, B.H. 3056 Maui BISH 1991-04-24
28 Sphaeropteris cooperi W Maui, Lahaina District, Honokahua, S of Valley In shade of planted Cryptomeria, with Dicranopteris ground cover. Preserved_Specimen Single 1m tall trunk, fronds fertile. Oppenheimer, H.L. 60403 Maui BISH 2004-06-10
29 Sphaeropteris cooperi East Maui, Hana District, Kahikinui, Wailaulau headwaters Single plant observed and destroyed in small gulch. Vegetation: Degraded Acacia/Metrosideros Montane Mesic Forest, w. Coprosma, Pteris, Polystichum, Sadleria, Lythrum, Dodonaea, Myrsine, Anthoxanthum, Holcus, Deschampsia, Axonopus, Physalis, Cyrtandra. Preserved_Specimen Oppenheimer, H.L. 90631 Maui BISH 2006-09-28
30 Sphaeropteris cooperi East Maui, Hana District, Hana District,Kipahulu Valley Growing as an aggresive weed. Preserved_Specimen Gagné, B.H. 3056 Maui BISH 1991-04-24
31 Sphaeropteris cooperi Waianae Range: along the summit of the Waianae Mountains from Mauna Kapu to Pali Kea and beyond Cloud forest on the windward side. Preserved_Specimen Wilson, K.A. 2519 Oahu BISH 1996-02-06
32 Sphaeropteris cooperi Honolulu; Makiki; grounds of Contemporary Museum, 2411 Makiki Heights Drive In garden. Preserved_Specimen Tree fern ca. 10-12' tall; leaf scars prominent on lower trunk; fertile pinnae collected from middle of lower frond. Staples, G.W. 848 Oahu BISH 1992-07-13
33 Sphaeropteris cooperi East Maui, Hana District, Kahikinui, Wailaulau headwaters HUMAN_OBSERVATION Big Island Invasive Species Committee (BIISC) Maui HAPI 11/13/2008
34 Sphaeropteris cooperi Hanalilolilo Sink Hole Mesic forest. Preserved_Specimen Hughes, G.D. Molokai BISH 1992-02-10
35 Sphaeropteris cooperi Halelea Forest Reserve. Powerline Trail Preserved_Specimen Ranker, T.A. 1994 Kauai BISH 2004-03-22
36 Sphaeropteris cooperi Koolau Mts., Wiliwilinui Trail Preserved_Specimen Gillett, G.W. Oahu BISH 1967-05-06
37 Sphaeropteris cooperi W Maui, Hoholua, Maunalei Arboretum Closed-canopy, alien dominated forest. Assoc. vegetation: Cinnamomum burmannii, Ardisia elliptica, Diplazium sandwichianum, Thelypteris hudsoniana, Psidium. Preserved_Specimen Meidell, J.S. 187 Maui BISH 1997-03-07
38 Sphaeropteris cooperi Halelea Forest Reserve. Powerline Trail Preserved_Specimen Ranker, T.A. 1994 Kauai BISH 2004-03-22
39 Sphaeropteris cooperi Waiopa Gulch Occasional, naturalized, plants destroyed when found in gulch bottom in lowland wet to mesic forest. Preserved_Specimen Large tree fern with 2m tall trunk and fronds 3m+. Individual pinnae collected with portions of rachis. Oppenheimer, H.L. 90705 Lanai BISH 2007-09-05
40 Sphaeropteris cooperi Honolulu: Kahala; 3653 Kahala Avenue; residence of C. F. Johnston In full sun. Preserved_Specimen Single erect stem 1.5 m tall w/fronds up to 2.5 m long. Lau, J. 2136 Oahu BISH 1986-03-17
41 Sphaeropteris cooperi East Maui, Hana District, Hana District,Kipahulu Valley Growing as an aggresive weed. Preserved_Specimen Gagné, B.H. 3056 Maui BISH 1991-04-24
42 Sphaeropteris cooperi W Maui, Lahaina District, Honokahua, S of Valley In shade of planted Cryptomeria, with Dicranopteris ground cover. Preserved_Specimen Single 1m tall trunk, fronds fertile. Oppenheimer, H.L. 60403 Maui BISH 2004-06-10
43 Sphaeropteris cooperi East Maui, Hana District, Hana District,Kipahulu Valley Growing as an aggressive weed. Preserved_Specimen Gagné, B.H. 3056 Maui BISH 1991-04-24
44 Sphaeropteris cooperi Oahu Forest National Wildlife Refuge, Kipapa Stream, upslope ca 300 yd from stream. Dicranopteris-dominated slope. Preserved_Specimen Tree 3 m tall. Two trees found ca 500 m apart. Hanley, J. Oahu BISH 2011-09-08
45 Sphaeropteris cooperi Koloa Dist.; Lihue-Koloa Forest Reserve, Wahiawa drainage; along main fork & upper tributaries of Wahiawa stream to crest of ridge just SW of Kapalaoa Diverse wet forest dominated by Metrosideros spp., Antidesma, Psychotria, Perrottetia, Hedyotis tryblium, Cyrtandra spp., Labordia spp., Broussaisia, Dubautia, Melicope spp., Freycinetia, Syzygium, Tetraplasandra & w/mixed open patches of Dicranopteris/Diplopterygium especially on the sides & crest of ridge; invaded by Psidium cattleianum, Rubus rosifolius. Preserved_Specimen Erect caudex of 1'; fronds 4-5' long; stipe pale green above darker green below w/whitish-green aerenchyma tissue running up into rachis; rachillae greenish-yellow; pinnae medium green above, paler below. Flynn, T.W. 4593 Kauai BISH 1991-04-12
46 Sphaeropteris cooperi W Maui, Lahaina District, Honokahua, S of Valley In shade of planted Cryptomeria, with Dicranopteris ground cover. Preserved_Specimen Single 1m tall trunk, fronds fertile. Oppenheimer, H.L. 60403 Maui BISH 2004-06-10
47 Sphaeropteris cooperi Oahu Forest NWR, Koa ridge, above Mililani Mauka. Site of October 30, 2023 fire. On ridge, edge of burned area, full sun, moist, formerly dominated by uluhe. Associated; Falcataria sp., Ardisia elliptica, Nephrolepis brownii x exaltata, Acacia koa. Preserved_Specimen 3-5 m tall, 10 cm DBH. Population moving down north slope. Arthur, K. 52 Oahu BISH 2025-02-10
48 Sphaeropteris cooperi W Maui, Hoholua, Maunalei Arboretum Closed-canopy, alien dominated forest. Assoc. vegetation: Cinnamomum burmannii, Ardisia elliptica, Diplazium sandwichianum, Thelypteris hudsoniana, Psidium. Preserved_Specimen Meidell, J.S. 187 Maui BISH 1997-03-07
49 Sphaeropteris cooperi Kalihi Valley, above waterfall Two plants along trail. Non-native dominated lowland mesic forest. Preserved_Specimen In the field, specimen did not seem to match description of Sphaeropteris cooperi (see enclosed notes.) However, experts we consulted agreed that the perceived differences in morphology did not exclude it from the taxon. Kawelo, K. 185 Oahu BISH 2010-05-09
50 Sphaeropteris cooperi Honolulu; Bishop Museum In shade house at back of campus. Grown in 18' wooden box. Preserved_Specimen 6x6' tree fern; leaves pale green; 1 frond with sori, circular, brown; trunk reddish brown hair Evans, M.A. 1 Oahu BISH 1990-06-20
51 Sphaeropteris cooperi East Maui, Hana District, Hana District,Kipahulu Valley Growing as an aggresive weed. Preserved_Specimen Gagné, B.H. 3056 Maui BISH 1991-04-24
52 Sphaeropteris cooperi Koolaupoko, Waiahole, Waiahole Forest Reserve, along old access road Growing in partial shade under Albizia canopy in highly degraded Windward wet forest. 3 m tall individual next to gate of possible residence. Associates; Pandanus tectorius, Ardisia elliptica, Ficus sp., Epipremnum aureum. Preserved_Specimen k. Arthur 240 Oahu BISH 2026-01-07
53 Sphaeropteris cooperi W Maui, Hoholua, Maunalei Arboretum Closed-canopy, alien dominated forest. Assoc. vegetation: Cinnamomum burmannii, Ardisia elliptica, Diplazium sandwichianum, Thelypteris hudsoniana, Psidium. Preserved_Specimen Meidell, J.S. 187 Maui BISH 1997-03-07
54 Sphaeropteris cooperi Honolulu; Bishop Museum In shade house at back of campus. Grown in 18' wooden box. Preserved_Specimen Tree fern 6' tall & 6' across; lvs pale green. 1 frond found with sori, these circular, brown. Trunk w/reddish hair. Evans, M.A. 1 Oahu BISH 1990-06-20
55 Sphaeropteris cooperi W Maui, Lahaina District, Honokahua, S of Valley In shade of planted Cryptomeria, with Dicranopteris ground cover. Preserved_Specimen Single 1m tall trunk, fronds fertile. Oppenheimer, H.L. 60403 Maui BISH 2004-06-10
56 Sphaeropteris cooperi East Maui, Hana District, Hana District,Kipahulu Valley Growing as an aggresive weed. Preserved_Specimen Gagné, B.H. 3056 Maui BISH 1991-04-24
57 Sphaeropteris cooperi East Maui, Hana District, Hana District,Kipahulu Valley Growing as an aggresive weed. Preserved_Specimen Gagné, B.H. 3056 Maui BISH 1991-04-24
58 Sphaeropteris cooperi W Maui, Lahaina District, Honokahua, S of Valley In shade of planted Cryptomeria, with Dicranopteris ground cover. Preserved_Specimen Single 1m tall trunk, fronds fertile. Oppenheimer, H.L. 60403 Maui BISH 2004-06-10
59 Sphaeropteris cooperi Waianae Range: along the summit of the Waianae Mountains from Mauna Kapu to Pali Kea and beyond Cloud forest on the windward side. Preserved_Specimen Wilson, K.A. 2519 Oahu BISH 1996-02-06
60 Sphaeropteris cooperi Honolulu; Bishop Museum In shade house at back of campus. Grown in 18' wooden box. Preserved_Specimen Tree fern 6' tall & 6' across; lvs pale green. 1 frond found with sori, these circular, brown. Trunk w/reddish hair. Evans, M.A. 1 Oahu BISH 1990-06-20
61 Sphaeropteris cooperi W Maui, Lahaina District, Honokahua, S of Valley HUMAN_OBSERVATION Big Island Invasive Species Committee (BIISC) Maui HAPI 11/13/2008
62 Sphaeropteris cooperi Moanalua Valley Wet ridgeline near Koolau summit. Growing out of Dicranopteris linearis. Preserved_Specimen Caudex covered in deciduous brown scales. Caudex approx. 1 m Arthur, K. 20 Oahu BISH 2025-01-03
63 Sphaeropteris cooperi East Maui, Hana District, Hana District,Kipahulu Valley Growing as an aggresive weed. Preserved_Specimen Gagné, B.H. 3056 Maui BISH 1991-04-24
64 Sphaeropteris cooperi W Maui, Lahaina District, Honokahua, S of Valley In shade of planted Cryptomeria, with Dicranopteris ground cover. Preserved_Specimen Single 1m tall trunk, fronds fertile. Oppenheimer, H.L. 60403 Maui BISH 2004-06-10
65 Sphaeropteris cooperi East Maui, Hana District, Kahikinui, Wailaulau headwaters Single plant observed and destroyed in small gulch. Vegetation: Degraded Acacia/Metrosideros Montane Mesic Forest, w. Coprosma, Pteris, Polystichum, Sadleria, Lythrum, Dodonaea, Myrsine, Anthoxanthum, Holcus, Deschampsia, Axonopus, Physalis, Cyrtandra. Preserved_Specimen Oppenheimer, H.L. 90631 Maui BISH 2006-09-28
66 Sphaeropteris cooperi East Maui, Hana District, Hana District,Kipahulu Valley Growing as an aggresive weed. Preserved_Specimen Gagné, B.H. 3056 Maui BISH 1991-04-24
67 Sphaeropteris cooperi Waianae Range: along the summit of the Waianae Mountains from Mauna Kapu to Pali Kea and beyond Cloud forest on the windward side. Preserved_Specimen Wilson, K.A. 2519 Oahu BISH 1996-02-06
68 Sphaeropteris cooperi Honolulu; Makiki; grounds of Contemporary Museum, 2411 Makiki Heights Drive In garden. Preserved_Specimen Tree fern ca. 10-12' tall; leaf scars prominent on lower trunk; fertile pinnae collected from middle of lower frond. Staples, G.W. 848 Oahu BISH 1992-07-13
69 Sphaeropteris cooperi East Maui, Hana District, Kahikinui, Wailaulau headwaters HUMAN_OBSERVATION Big Island Invasive Species Committee (BIISC) Maui HAPI 11/13/2008
70 Sphaeropteris cooperi Hanalilolilo Sink Hole Mesic forest. Preserved_Specimen Hughes, G.D. Molokai BISH 1992-02-10
71 Sphaeropteris cooperi Halelea Forest Reserve. Powerline Trail Preserved_Specimen Ranker, T.A. 1994 Kauai BISH 2004-03-22
72 Sphaeropteris cooperi Koolau Mts., Wiliwilinui Trail Preserved_Specimen Gillett, G.W. Oahu BISH 1967-05-06
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