Cyathea dealbata
Encyclopedia
Cyathea dealbata, or the silver tree fern or silver fern (kaponga or ponga in the Māori language
), is a species of medium-sized tree fern, endemic to New Zealand
. It is a symbol commonly associated with the country both overseas and by New Zealanders themselves.
This fern is known to grow to heights of 10 m or more (though it occasionally takes a rare creeping form). The crown is dense, and the fronds tend to be about 4 m long and have a silver-white colouration on the undersides. This distinctive silver colouration has made them useful for laying along tracks for night walking. The scales are a dark brown and are often twisted and glossy.
Arriving relatively late in New Zealand's history during the Pliocene
epoch (around 5 - 1.8 million years ago), the silver fern occurs on the main islands of New Zealand and on the Chatham Islands
to the east, mostly in the subcanopy areas of drier forests and in open scrub. It is known to grow well in well-drained humus, and once established, it will tolerate drier conditions. It does best when sheltered from winds and should be protected from frost. It does not grow under the dense canopy of mature forests.
In sum, the fern has become one of the most widely recognised symbols of New Zealand, next to the Kiwi, though it is not an official symbol.
Maori language
Māori or te reo Māori , commonly te reo , is the language of the indigenous population of New Zealand, the Māori. It has the status of an official language in New Zealand...
), is a species of medium-sized tree fern, endemic to New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
. It is a symbol commonly associated with the country both overseas and by New Zealanders themselves.
This fern is known to grow to heights of 10 m or more (though it occasionally takes a rare creeping form). The crown is dense, and the fronds tend to be about 4 m long and have a silver-white colouration on the undersides. This distinctive silver colouration has made them useful for laying along tracks for night walking. The scales are a dark brown and are often twisted and glossy.
Arriving relatively late in New Zealand's history during the Pliocene
Pliocene
The Pliocene Epoch is the period in the geologic timescale that extends from 5.332 million to 2.588 million years before present. It is the second and youngest epoch of the Neogene Period in the Cenozoic Era. The Pliocene follows the Miocene Epoch and is followed by the Pleistocene Epoch...
epoch (around 5 - 1.8 million years ago), the silver fern occurs on the main islands of New Zealand and on the Chatham Islands
Chatham Islands
The Chatham Islands are an archipelago and New Zealand territory in the Pacific Ocean consisting of about ten islands within a radius, the largest of which are Chatham Island and Pitt Island. Their name in the indigenous language, Moriori, means Misty Sun...
to the east, mostly in the subcanopy areas of drier forests and in open scrub. It is known to grow well in well-drained humus, and once established, it will tolerate drier conditions. It does best when sheltered from winds and should be protected from frost. It does not grow under the dense canopy of mature forests.
In culture
- The silver fern has long been used on dairy products and was trademarked as early as 1885.
- It is a logo for many other organisations, such as (heavily stylised) the rail infrastructure owner OnTrackNew Zealand Railways CorporationKiwiRail Network, formerly ONTRACK , is the infrastructure arm of KiwiRail. The ONTRACK trading name was introduced in 2004 after the government repurchased all of New Zealand's rail infrastructure from Toll NZ. It does not operate revenue rolling stock...
and the Silver FernNZR RM class (Silver Fern)This article is about the New Zealand railcar service and the railcars themselves. For other uses, see Silver Fern .The NZR RM class Silver Fern is a class of railcar in New Zealand. The three air-conditioned and sound-proofed 723-kW 96-seater diesel-electric twin-set railcars were built by...
is also the name of a class of rail carriage. - The koruKoruThe koru is a spiral shape based on the shape of a new unfurling silver fern frond and symbolizing new life, growth, strength and peace. It is an integral symbol in Māori art, carving and tattoos...
symbol found in MāoriMaori cultureMāori culture is the culture of the Māori of New Zealand, an Eastern Polynesian people, and forms a distinctive part of New Zealand culture. Within the Māori community, and to a lesser extent throughout New Zealand as a whole, the word Māoritanga is often used as an approximate synonym for Māori...
art is inspired by the shape of a young ponga frond. - Silver fern leaves appear on the Coat of arms of New ZealandCoat of arms of New ZealandThe coat of arms of New Zealand is the official symbol of New Zealand. The initial coat of arms was granted by King George V on the 26 August 1911, and the current version was granted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1956.-History and design:...
. - Many New Zealanders get a tattoo of a Silver Fern, as a statement of being from New Zealand.
- Some alternative flags for New ZealandFlag of New ZealandThe flag of New Zealand is a defaced Blue Ensign with the Union Flag in the canton, and four red stars with white borders to the right. The stars represent the constellation of Crux, the Southern Cross....
, such as the silver fern flagSilver fern flagThe silver fern flag is any flag design that incorporates a silver fern. The silver fern motif is associated with New Zealand, and a silver fern flag may be used as an unofficial flag of New Zealand. The silver fern itself is a quasi-national emblem, being used for various official symbols,...
, use the Silver fern. - The silver fern is also used extensively within politics and printed material, such as the logo of The New Zealand Progressive PartyNew Zealand Progressive PartyJim Anderton's Progressive Party , is a New Zealand political party generally somewhat to the left of its ally, the Labour Party....
.
In sum, the fern has become one of the most widely recognised symbols of New Zealand, next to the Kiwi, though it is not an official symbol.
Sports teams using the silver fern as symbol
- All BlacksAll BlacksThe New Zealand men's national rugby union team, known as the All Blacks, represent New Zealand in what is regarded as its national sport....
(rugby) - Silver FernsSilver FernsThe New Zealand national netball team, commonly known as the Silver Ferns, represent New Zealand in international netball. The team take their nickname from the Silver Tree Fern , which is an iconic emblem for many New Zealand sports teams. The Silver Ferns were formed in 1938 as a representative...
(netball) - All Whites (football)
- Tall Blacks (basketball)
- White Ferns (women's cricket)
- Black Caps (men's cricket)
- Black FernsBlack FernsThe Black Ferns is New Zealand's national women's rugby union team.- The name :The name comes from the use of the colour black and the silver fern as New Zealand sporting symbols...
(women's rugby) - Black SoxBlack SocksThe Black Socks are the New Zealand national men's softball team. They won the World Championships in 1976 , 1984, 1996, 2000 and 2004...
(softball) - Black Sticks Men & Black Sticks WomenBlack Sticks WomenThe Black Sticks Women are the women's national field hockey team of New Zealand.-Summer Olympics:*1980 – Did not compete*1984 – Sixth place*1988 – Did not compete*1992 – Eighth place*1996 – Did not compete*2000 – Sixth place...
(field hockey) - Team New ZealandTeam New ZealandTeam New Zealand is a sailing team based in Auckland, New Zealand representing the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron.Team New Zealand has become a household name in their home country following their consecutive wins in the America's Cup in 1995 and 2000...
(sailing)
Controversy
- In 1991, the NZRFU obtained trade marks for the name “All Blacks” and its own stylised fern, however on this occasion the scope of the application was broader because they sought to register any 'fern'. In 2005, after a legal case lasting 4 years, the Rugby Board failed in its bid to stop anyone else using any fern logo on any black jersey.
- In 2009 the International Rugby Board tried to stop volunteers from wearing a silver fern at the Rugby World Cup, as they believe the emblem belongs only to the All Blacks.