Alsophila capensis, synonym Cyathea capensis, (known as the 'forest tree fern') is a regionally widespread and highly variable species of tree fern. It is indigenous to Southern Africa (subsp. capensis) and South America (subsp. polypodioides).
Both subspecies of Alsophila capensis have a slender, erect trunk that is up to 4.5 metres (15 ft) tall (occasionally even 6 metres (20 ft)) and about 15 cm in diameter.The fronds are tripinnate, born on long stipes (stalks), and 2–3 m in length. The main ...