Cyathea arborea
(L.) Sm.
Cyatheaceae
Disphenia arborea (L.) C.Presl
Hemitelia arborea (L.) Fée
Polypodium arboreum L.
Common Name:
A clump of plants growing in Guadeloupe
Photograph by: Patrice78500
Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0
A clump of plants growing in Guadeloupe
Photograph by: Patrice78500
Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0
Plants can germinate in large numbers in open areas.
Photograph by: Xemenendura
Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0
Close-up
Photograph by: Xemenendura
Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0
General Information
Cyathea arborea is an evergreen tree fern; it can grow 9 metres or more tall. The unbranched stem id 8 - 12cm in diameter, topped by a crown of long leaves, each up to 3 metres long[
447- Title
- Common Trees of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands
- Publication
-
- Author
- Little E.L.; Wadsworth F.H.
- Publisher
- USDA, Forest Service; Washington.
- Year
- 1964
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Contains detailed information, and usually an illustration, on 250 tree species, including both native and exotic species.
].
The tree is sometimes harvested from the wild for local use of its stem. It is often cultivated as an ornamental.
Known Hazards
None known
Botanical References
Range
S. America - Venezuela; Caribbean - Barbados to Puerto Rico and Jamaica.
Habitat
An understorey tree in forests, more commonly in open situations. It readily invades open areas, often being found growing abundantly along the cut roadside banks of new roads[
447- Title
- Common Trees of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands
- Publication
-
- Author
- Little E.L.; Wadsworth F.H.
- Publisher
- USDA, Forest Service; Washington.
- Year
- 1964
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Contains detailed information, and usually an illustration, on 250 tree species, including both native and exotic species.
].
Properties
Other Uses Rating | |
Habit | Evergreen Fern |
Height | 7.00 m |
Cultivation Status | Ornamental, Wild |
Cultivation Details
It is reported that small plants can be. transplanted successfully and garden-grown in moist regions, even at sea level[
447- Title
- Common Trees of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands
- Publication
-
- Author
- Little E.L.; Wadsworth F.H.
- Publisher
- USDA, Forest Service; Washington.
- Year
- 1964
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Contains detailed information, and usually an illustration, on 250 tree species, including both native and exotic species.
].
Edible Uses
None known
Medicinal
None known
Agroforestry Uses:
The growing plants are used as supports for vanilla plants and other orchids[
447- Title
- Common Trees of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands
- Publication
-
- Author
- Little E.L.; Wadsworth F.H.
- Publisher
- USDA, Forest Service; Washington.
- Year
- 1964
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Contains detailed information, and usually an illustration, on 250 tree species, including both native and exotic species.
].
Other Uses
The stems are used to preserve and carry fire, which can be maintained for hours without smoke or flames[
447- Title
- Common Trees of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands
- Publication
-
- Author
- Little E.L.; Wadsworth F.H.
- Publisher
- USDA, Forest Service; Washington.
- Year
- 1964
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Contains detailed information, and usually an illustration, on 250 tree species, including both native and exotic species.
].
The stem comprises a hard black outer layer 3mm or more in thickness and a central white soft pith containing a ring of brown bundles which serve for conduction and strength. Though not solid wood, the hard trunks are durable and resistant to decay and termites. They can be used as posts, frameworks of houses etc[
447- Title
- Common Trees of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands
- Publication
-
- Author
- Little E.L.; Wadsworth F.H.
- Publisher
- USDA, Forest Service; Washington.
- Year
- 1964
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Contains detailed information, and usually an illustration, on 250 tree species, including both native and exotic species.
].
Propagation
Seed -
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