PlantaeHighest rank in taxonomy. Groups all life into domains: Animalia, Plantae, Fungi, etc.IUCN LCInternational Union for Conservation of Nature — the world authority on species extinction risk, using standardized criteria. — Least Concern — widespread and abundant; not at immediate risk of extinction.In ProgressCurrent stage of this record in the editorial review workflow. Recent Sighting
Cyathea costaricensis
Costa Rican Tree Fern
(Mett. ex Kuhn) Domin, 1929
Detailed Texts Multi-lang
Cyathea costaricensis is a distinctive and elegant tree fern, native to the mountainous regions of Mesoamerica. It possesses a slender, erect trunk that can reach between 4 and 8 meters (13-26 feet) in height, characterized by the oval scars left by old fronds when they fall. At its apex, it unfurls a symmetrical crown of bright light-green bipinnate-pinnatifid fronds, which can extend up to 3 meters in length. Unlike species of the Dicksonia genus, the Cyathea trunk is usually more slender and features prominent scales at the base of the petioles instead of hairs. It produces no flowers or seeds; it reproduces via spores found in round sori located on the underside of the leaves. Its presence adds a prehistoric and exuberant quality to the tropical and premontane forest understory.
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Julia Trouin
TaxonomyBiological classification ranks placing this species within the tree of life, from Kingdom down to Genus.
PhylumRank below Kingdom. Groups organisms sharing a fundamental body plan (e.g., Chordata = vertebrates and some invertebrates).Tracheophyta
ClassRank below Phylum. Subdivides by structural traits (e.g., Mammalia, Aves, Reptilia, Insecta).Polypodiopsida
OrderRank below Class. Groups related families sharing common ancestry (e.g., Carnivora, Primates).Cyatheales
FamilyRank below Order. Groups closely related genera (e.g., Felidae = cats, Canidae = dogs).Cyatheaceae
GenusRank just above Species. The first word in the two-part binomial scientific name.Cyathea
Taxonomic AuthorityThe scientist who first formally described and published this species, followed by the year of publication.(Mett. ex Kuhn) Domin, 1929
Record Completeness
93%Coming soon
Ecology & StatusHow this species lives: habitat preferences, diet, behavior, population status, and role in its ecosystem.
OriginWhether the species is native (evolved here), endemic (found only here), or introduced by human activity.
Native
Population TrendDirection of change in population size over time: increasing, stable, decreasing, or unknown.
Stable
Trophic RolePosition in the food chain: producer, herbivore, carnivore, omnivore, decomposer, or parasite.
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Growth HabitPhysical form and structure of the plant: tree, shrub, herb, vine, epiphyte, aquatic, etc.
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Leaf TypeLeaf characteristics: deciduous (seasonal shed), evergreen, simple, compound, needle-like, etc.
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Flowering SeasonTime of year when this species typically reproduces or flowers.
Year Round
Recent SightingsWhether this species has been observed in the wild in Costa Rica within recent years.
Yes
Habitat SummaryOverview of the specific ecosystems and environments where this species is found in Costa Rica. Multi-lang
It mainly inhabits very humid and cloud forests at intermediate elevations, generally between 500 and 1,500 meters (1,600-4,900 feet) above sea level. It prefers sites with partial shade or filtered light, often colonizing forest clearings, roadsides, and riverbanks. In Costa Rica, it is an iconic species frequently found in the Tilarán, Central, and Talamanca mountain ranges, adapting well to soils with high humidity but good drainage.Light & Water NeedsSunlight intensity and moisture levels this plant needs to grow and reproduce successfully. Multi-lang
Information not available in English. Help us expand this record!BehaviourDaily activity patterns, movement, territory use, foraging style, and seasonal behavioral changes. Multi-lang
It is a key structural component that creates moist microhabitats. Its fronds capture rain and channel it toward the trunk, where the adventitious root tissue retains the water, allowing mosses and small epiphytes to grow. It acts as a nesting site and refuge for various invertebrates and amphibians. Its phenology is marked by the massive release of spores during the wettest months, ensuring that the gametophyte finds the necessary water for fertilization.Toxicity / UsesToxic compounds present and their documented effects on humans or other organisms. Multi-lang
Information not available in English. Help us expand this record!Physical Measures
Length (cm)
100.0 - 800.0 cm
Reproductive StructuresFlowers, fruits, and seeds — the reproductive organs and their seasonal appearance.
Flower Photos (Max 2)
No imageFruit Photos (Max 2)
No imageEvolutionary AdaptationsInherited traits and behaviors that improve the species' survival and reproduction in its specific environment. Multi-lang
Slender trunk with protective scales: Its trunk is not real wood but an erect rhizome protected by a dense network of adventitious roots and scales at the apex. These scales protect the delicate growth tissues (the fern's 'heart') against desiccation and insect damage, while the external roots absorb environmental moisture directly from the misty air.
Pioneer growth in light gaps: Unlike other ferns that require deep shade, Cyathea costaricensis has the ability to rapidly colonize areas where the canopy has opened. This light-responsiveness allows it to act as an early succession species, stabilizing soils on slopes and providing shade for the regeneration of other forest plants.
Main ThreatsDocumented pressures reducing the population: habitat loss, hunting, disease, climate change, and invasive species. Multi-lang
Illegal extraction for horticulture: Like other tree ferns, it is illegally harvested to be sold as an ornamental plant or to use its trunk (fern fiber) as orchid supports. Due to its slow growth, wild populations take decades to recover from extraction.
Interesting FactsSurprising or notable facts that highlight what makes this species unique or ecologically important. Multi-lang
Survivor of the age of the dinosaurs: Ferns of the Cyatheales order have existed on Earth since the Jurassic period. Cyathea costaricensis is a modern representative of a lineage that once dominated terrestrial landscapes long before the appearance of flowering plants.