Cyatheaceae >
Sori superficial on the veins or in their axils. Base of the stipes clothed with scales Cyatheaceae
Lower surface of the secondary rhachises purplish black or rarely bright red-brown, aculeate with short sharp prickles. Scales of the bases of the stipes pale stramineous or almost white. Scales of the costae never bullate; the margin setose with very numerous purplish spinules. Most of the old bases of the stipes persistent on the caudex. Tree ferns mostly 1–7 m high. Widespread. RF or along the coast not far from the ocean, on mountain slopes near creeks. Prickly Tree fern Cyathea leichhardtiana