Definition of tree fern in English:

noun

• A large palm-like fern with a trunk-like stem bearing a crown of large fronds, sometimes reaching a height of 24 m and occurring chiefly in the tropics, particularly the southern hemisphere.

  Example sentences

  • ‘In a partial cross section of a tree fern that lived about 200 million years ago, blue chalcedony (a type of quartz) and orange iron oxides and hydroxides have replaced the original structures.’
  • ‘The tree fern is usually thought of as a conservatory plant, too tender for year-round outdoors except in the most sheltered circumstances, but I seem to notice more and more of them thriving outside.’
  • ‘The flat, strappy foliage of the exotic night bloomer contrasts texturally with a bed companion, the enormous, finely cut fronds of an Australian tree fern.’
  • ‘Two years ago, I bought a tree fern and potted it as per instructions.’
  • ‘The new Mediterranean Garden is beginning to grow, and the new tree fern now has 6 fronds and more coming on.’