Dicksonia is a genus of tree ferns in the order Cyatheales. It is regarded as related to Cyathea, but is considered to retain more primitive traits, dating back at least to the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods. The fossil record includes stems, pinnules, and spores. The genus contains 20–25 species, distributed from Mexico to Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay and Chile, St. Helena, New Zealand, New Caledonia, Australia, Indonesia, New Guinea, and the Philippines. New Guinea has the greatest diversity, with five species. Species of Dicksonia found in cultivation include: D. antarctica, soft tree fern D. fibrosa, woolly tree fern D. squarrosa, rough or slender tree fern The genus was first described by Charles Louis L'Héritier de Brutelle in 1788. The name honors James Dickson, a prominent nurseryman and botanist. Species Plants of the World Online as of recognizes the following species: References Large, M.F. and J.E. Braggins Tree Ferns. Timber Press, Inc. (2004). Lobin, Wolfram. List of the American Dicksonia Species. Scientific Authority of Germany, Bonn 2001. External links Community: Care and propagation of Tree ferns (German/English) Fern Files: Dicksonia L'Héritier's original diagnosis of the genus online on Project Gutenberg External links Dicksoniaceae Fern genera Ferns of Africa Ferns of Oceania Ferns of the Americas Jurassic plants Extant Jurassic first appearances