Cibotium chamissoi

Common Names

Hawaiian Tree Fern, Hāpuʻu, Hapuu, Chamisso's Tree Fern, Man Fern

Summary

Hāpuʻu tree fern is an endemic Hawaiian evergreen that grows as an understory plant in mesic to wet forests, with a distinctive martini-glass silhouette formed by a skinnier trunk and a rosette of long fronds; the trunk and stipes are densely covered with light brown hairs, fronds are shiny and waxy on top with a powdery-pale blush underneath, and a skirt of dead fronds often forms at the base.

Hāpuʻu tree fern requires sheltered conditions with consistently moist soil, avoiding direct sun and preferring light shade; water should wet both fronds and the top of the trunk, and soil should drain well and can be organic, cinder, or clay-based. It tolerates USDA hardiness zones 10a–11; in-ground plants generally need little fertilizer, while container plants can receive a balanced fertilizer every six months or diluted foliar feeds. Pests include the two-spotted leafhopper, and feral pigs and termites pose threats. Edible fiddleheads are boiled for food, the trunk core contains starch used as famine food, and pulu wool around the base has traditional uses for wound dressing, embalming, and pillow stuffing; landscape uses include understory planting, screening, erosion control, and wind tolerance, with ornamental value.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

8-26 ft 3 in

Spread

8-15 ft

Hardiness Zones

Zones 10a-11

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full shade to full sun; tolerates partial shade to partial sun.

Soil Type

Moist, well-drained soil with pH 6.1–7.5 and ample organic matter.

Soil Drainage

Well-drained soil

Soil pH

5.5-6.5, Slightly acidic

Bloom Time

Does not bloom.

Foliage Color

Green, with variation from light to dark; young fronds vibrant green and mature fronds darker; top shiny green, underside dull lighter green.

Fall Foliage Color

Green

Leaf Lifecycle

Other

Growth Rate

Very slow growing

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter

Propagation Methods

Spores, Division

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts birds; various bird species rely on it for food and shelter, and pulu is used as nest lining by Hawaiian honeycreepers.