This is a smaller species of Dicksonia from New Zealand that looks almost like a miniature of D. antarctica.  It grows in formidably cold areas of New Zealand, at elevations up to 2,700', and some of its provenances are nearly as hardy as D. antarctica, able to withstand 18-20°F.  The trunk develops rather slowly and attains a mature height of only about 16'.  Its fronds closely resemble those of D. antarctica, but shorter, growing only 5-7', and even more "plasticy."  The hairs on the stipes do not have quite such a reddish look, but more of a golden-brown.  A few have worked their way into cultiavtion in the United States and Britain, but sadly they often seem to be mistaken for D. antarctica in California.

Dicksonia fibrosa is very beautiful and easy to grow, and useful in situations where D. antarctica is too large to fit.  Like D. antarctica, it will do well in a site with morning sun and afternoon shade, but tolerates quite a bit of sun in cool climates.  In Britain it is often planted under trees, since it will fit nicely there, and the trees offer some shelter from the cold.  Root development of imported plants is such that the young trunks often take on a conical shape.