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Alsophila dealbata (synonyms Alsophila tricolor and Cyathea dealbata), commonly known as the silver fern or silver tree-fern, or as ponga or punga (from Māori kaponga or ponga), is a species of medium-sized tree fern, endemism to New Zealand. The fern is usually recognisable by the silver-white colour of the under-surface of mature . It is a symbol commonly associated with the country both overseas and by New Zealanders themselves.
The current preferred scientific name is disputed, with Plants of the World Online, New Zealand Plant Conservation Network, and the Synonymic Checklist and Distribution of Ferns and Lycophytes of the World Version 25.06 preferring Alsophila dealbata, Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research preferring Cyathea dealbata and World Flora Online preferring Alsophila tricolor. The name Alsophila tricolor was considered the correct scientific name for the species, due to the species epithet dealbata being preoccupied in the genus by a species described in 1848 by Carl Borivoj Presl, now considered a synonym of Sphaeropteris glauca. In 2025 it was shown that the silver fern has priority to use this name over the species Presl described, due to a reference made by August Carl Joseph Corda to the species in 1838, making Presl's use an illegitimate later homonym.
The fern is known to grow well in well-drained humus, and once established, it will tolerate drier conditions. It does best when sheltered from winds and should be protected from frost. Evidence of large amount of macro-charcoals in the top layers of soil suggest that Alsophila tricolor establishes itself in areas where anthropogenic fires occur.
The silver fern was used as an identified by the New Zealand Army during the Second Boer War. Since then, the silver fern has been used by the New Zealand Expeditionary Force during both world wars, and all Commonwealth war graves of fallen New Zealand soldiers have the silver fern engraved on their tombstones. During the 1956 Suez Crisis, Egyptians took exception to New Zealand and Canadian peacekeepers having the Union Flag on their uniforms. Canadian troops wore the Maple Leaf whereas the New Zealand contingent wore a silver fern symbol. New Zealand peacekeepers have since used both the silver fern and kiwi symbols for different deployments to differentiate from their Australian and British counterparts. Additionally, several British Army units wear the silver fern, normally as a battle honour granted for serving with New Zealand troops. For example, the Queen’s Royal Hussars, the Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry and the Warwickshire Yeomanry, all of whom fought with 2nd New Zealand Division at the Second Battle of El Alamein.
The silver fern has long been used on dairy products, including the logo of New Zealand Natural, and was trademarked as early as 1885. It is a logo for many other organisations, such as (heavily stylised) the rail operator KiwiRail. The Silver Fern is also the name of a class of railcar.
Silver fern fronds appear on the coat of arms of New Zealand. Some alternative flags for New Zealand, such as the silver fern flag, utilise the fern. The official proposal of the 2015–2016 New Zealand flag referendums featured the silver fern. The silver fern is also used extensively within politics and printed material, such as the logo of the New Zealand Labour Party.
The koru is part of the design of the Māori flag, and is used in a stylised form as the logo for national airline Air New Zealand. Its circular shape conveys the idea of perpetual movement, and its inward coil suggests a return to the point of origin.
National sport teams using the silver fern include:
The silver fern is also extensively used as part of the official symbols of New Zealand Olympics teams.
In 1991, the New Zealand Rugby Football Union obtained trade marks for the name "All Blacks" and its own stylised fern, however the scope of the application was broader because they sought to register any 'fern'. In 2005, after a legal case lasting four years, the union failed in its bid to stop anyone else using any fern logo on any black jersey.
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