Naturalization of Dicksonia antarctica Labill. in Pidurutalagala Mountain Forest Reserve and Adjacent Eucalyptus Plantation in Sri Lanka

摘要

Dicksonia antartica Labill. is a species native to Australia. In Sri Lanka, until recently, the only known record of D. antarctica was at the Fernery in Hakgala Botanic Gardens, Nuwara Eliya, where the species was planted in 1863. An eco-geographic survey on Sri Lankan tree ferns conducted from 2006-2013 identified a substantial population from Pidurutalagala Mountain Forest Reserve and adjacent Eucalyptus plantation. The detailed observation of population in natural forest and forest plantation fringe revealed natural regeneration with substantial number of immature and mature individuals. Hence, it is proposed that D. antarctica is naturalized in some areas of Pidurutalagala Mountain Forest Reserve and adjacent Eucalyptus plantation after escaping from the Fernery in the Hakgala Botanic Gardens. The substantial amount of population was observed about 30 km away from the Fernery. Further studies on population and reproductive biology are continuing.