Alsophila tricolor, – synonym Cyathea dealbata – commonly known as the silver fern or silver tree-fern, or ‘ponga’ , is a species of medium-sized tree fern, endemic to New Zealand. The fern is usually recognisable by the silver-white colour of the under-surface of mature fronds – it has been used as a symbol by New Zealand national sports teams, in various stylised forms, since it was first worn by players in 1888.
Ponga. Ponga (silver fern) grows in the North Island and the east and north of the South Island. Māori laid them silver-side up as track markers – in the dark they were lit up by burning torches.
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