Cyathea cooperi (F.Muell.) Domin, commonly known as the Australian Lacy Tree Fern, is an introduced species to WA (Florabase, 2013). This fern species gets its common name 'Lacy Tree Fern' due to its delicate fronds, where it is also known as the Australian Tree Fern as its one of the most widely grown tree-ferns within Australia (Jones, 1987) .This species of fern is commonly cultivated for ornamental purposes as it is a hardy fern with rapid growth. Unlike other tree-ferns, Cyathea cooperi cannot be propagated vegetatively as they do not produce offsets from the roots or the trunk (Jones, 1987).
Cyathea cooperi is not threatened or rare within Western Australia. According to IUCN, this species has invaded several pacific islands, and is seen to be a risk species within Hawaii as it is a threat to forests as it is displacing native species (Medeiroset al, 1992).
Cyathea cooperi is a perennial and sub-tropical species of fern, it grows at a rapid pace between 0.5 and 10 m in height (Florabase, 2013) with a large rhizome covered in hairs used for support. The over-hanging fronds of this species are typically between 2 and 6 m long (Florabase, 2013), the blades have leaflets (pinnae) that are pinnate with margins toothed irregularly, and can be between 25-65 cm in length with the subdivided stalked pinnules have acuminate tips (HEAR, 2006). The stipe base has two different type of scales, one being dark and small where large and pale ones can also be seen. When the leaves die, the trunk will form oval scars (Medeiroset al, 1992) from the stipes falling off. C.cooperi sori lacks an indusium where a ring of small scales form a sheath around the sporangia (HEAR, 2006). Spores of this species are transported by wind and form within groups of 10 sori on the undersides of the fertile fronds.
C.cooperi can be seen distinct from its closest relative C.australias due to its trunk being more slender and the scars that are left there from the fallen stipes (Jones, 1987).
Cyathea cooperi belongs to the family Cyatheaceae, where this family can be traced back to the Jurassic period. Unlike many plant fossil records, Cyathaceae includes a number of preserved stem fossil records, where the hairs/scales along the fronds and trunks seen today can be seen to be present back then also.
Extremely common within the South West provinance of Western Australia. IBRA regions include: Jarrah forest, Swan Coastal Plain and Warren. IBRA subregions include: Dandaragon Plateau, Northern Jarrad forest, Perth, Southern Jarrah and Warren. The local governemtn areas include: Albany, Armadale, Augusta-Margaret River, Gingin, Kalamunda, Manjimup, Melville, Nannup, Serpentine-Jarrahdale, Swan and Waroona. (Florabase, 2013)
Within the Eastern states, Cyathea cooperi has a natural native distribution within tropical lowlands of Queensland and New South Wales.
Commonly C.cooperi is found in tropical lowlands and subtropical rainforests where this species grows naturally within loam (fertile soil of clay and sand), along river beds or near swamps (Coleman, 1997 & Florabase, 2013). Ferns develop well within humidity and C.cooperi is not tolerable to frosts. This speices thrives well within shaded areas where the sun is not directly scorching the fern.
C.cooperi is an ornamental species, where the fern is planted and used for landscaping purposes or for the use within home gardens due to its attractiveness. This species is also suited to plant indoors, which can also add to the attractiveness of the fern.
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