368 
New Zealand Ferns 
(152) T. superba (superb). “Heru-heru.” The most 
beautiful fern in New Zealand; sometimes called “Prince 
of Wales Feathers,” or “Crape Fern”; tall, handsome, 
dark-green plumes ; the tiny leaflets standing up from 
the surface of the frond like pile. 
Description . — Roots stout, forming a thick erect stem 1 to 3 
feet high, coated with densely matted fibrous rootlets. Stalks 
short, 1 to 4 inches long, stout, erect, more or less woolly. Fronds 
1-2 to 4 feet long by 6 to 10 inches broad, narrowed very gradu- 
ally to the base, dark-green, thin, membranous and pellucid, form- 
ing a handsome spreading crown. Seeds in the middle of the 
leaflets, usually confined to the lower half. 
In dense forests from Te Aroha and Pirongia southwards, not 
uncommon, except in Marlborough, Canterbury and the north of 
Otago, where it is rare and local. Sea-level to 3,500 feet. 
Neither of the popular names does justice to this mag- 
nificent fern. To compare it with crape is not a great 
compliment ; no loom invented by man ever wove a fabric 
of such marvellous texture; nor can any feathers worn 
by a Prince of Wales compare with its exquisite crown 
of great sweeping plumes, the younger ones, of a trans- 
lucent shining green, rising majestically in the centre. 
Though connected by intermediate varieties with T. 
hyinenopliylloides, the typical forms of either species 
are not easily confused with each other. The larger, 
but narrower, frond, the gradual tapering towards the 
base, and the closer, thicker appearance of the whole 
leaf, at once distinguish T. superba. The singularly soft, 
fluffy, feathery appearance of the frond is due to the 
crowded leaflets standing up like velvet pile. 
All growers agree in the opinion that it is a difficult 
fern to transplant. The slightest breath of dry air 
shrivels the tender foliage like a blast of fire. As might 
be expected in a plant that has attained such perfection 
in form and colour, the least change of environment is 
fatal. Take away the umbrageous trees that screen it 
from sun and wind, the bushes and creepers that inter- 
cept any stray puffs while yet allowing the moisture- 
