I am not sure about the name, maybe doodie aspera? The reason for registering each plant is about conservation, only so many are allowed to be harvested, maybe they could become endangered.An Australian one would definitely have a number on it,when they are exported that is a prerequisite. They are sold here but the height, so much per foot. You are not permitted to collect them from the bush unless you are a registered harvester.Even in nurseries here they are numbered. I love you too...thankyou. KK has the right pictures, almost the same as Australia,but New Zealand has the best ones in the world.[I am waiting for correction]!
Barb, does your fern have spores on the leaves yet? this will help to identify it, too. It resembles the "narrowleaf chainfern" in my fern book, but my picture is hand drawn...so I am looking, looking.
Since I know next to nothing about ferns and am stabbing at helping, Are there many other tree ferns? maybe it is a tree fern, just not an Australian tree fern. I found one for sale here in Ohio at a mail order nursery for $10.00. It look just like the one KK linked to. I found this one called a dwarf tree fern... http://www.tropicopia.com/tropicopia/ho ... ew-65.html
I am in the car right now. That name sounds a little familuar. I will check when i get home...thanks sweetie.
