Cnemidaria decurrens
(Liebm.) R.M.Tryon
Cyatheaceae
Cyathea decurrentiloba Domin
Cyathea elegantissima (Fée) Domin
Cyathea guatemalensis (Maxon) Domin
Cyathea liebmannii Domin
Cyathea lucida (Fée) Domin
Hemistegia decurrens (Liebm.) E.Fourn.
Hemistegia elegantissima Fée
Hemistegia lucida Fée
Hemistegia mexicana (Liebm.) E.Fourn.
Hemitelia decurrens Liebm.
Hemitelia guatemalensis Maxon
Hemitelia lucida (Fée) Maxon
Hemitelia mexicana Liebm.
Common Name:
General Information
Cnemidaria decurrens is an evergreen fern with a rudimentary stem up to 30cm tall topped with a rosette of fronds that can each be 2.5 metres long[
489- Title
- Ferns and Fern Allies of Guatemala
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Field Museum of Natural History
- Year
- 1981
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A flora of the ferns of Guatemala, giving some plant uses. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].
The spores are sometimes gathered from the wild for local medicinal use.
Known Hazards
Although we have found no reports of toxicity for this species, a number of ferns contain carcinogens so some caution is advisable[
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
].
Many ferns also contain thiaminase, an enzyme that robs the body of its vitamin B complex. In small quantities this enzyme will do no harm to people eating an adequate diet that is rich in vitamin B, though large quantities can cause severe health problems. The enzyme is destroyed by heat or thorough drying, so cooking the plant will remove the thiaminase[
172- Title
- Discovering Wild Plants - Alaska, W. Canada and the Northwest.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Schofield. J. J.
- Publisher
- Alaska Northwest Books; Alaska
- Year
- 2003
- ISBN
- 0882403699
- Description
- A nice guide to some useful plants in that area.
].
Botanical References
489- Title
- Ferns and Fern Allies of Guatemala
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Field Museum of Natural History
- Year
- 1981
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A flora of the ferns of Guatemala, giving some plant uses. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
,
585- Title
- A Taxonomic Revision of the Genus Cnemidaria (Cyatheaceae).
- Publication
-
- Author
- Stoltze R.G.
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Field Museum; Chicago.
- Year
- 1974
- ISBN
- 0015-0746
- Description
- A treatment of the genus Cnemidaria. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
Range
Central America - Honduras, Guatemala, Mexico.
Habitat
On slopes, in forests, at elevations from 200 - 1,000 metres in Guatemala[
489- Title
- Ferns and Fern Allies of Guatemala
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Field Museum of Natural History
- Year
- 1981
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A flora of the ferns of Guatemala, giving some plant uses. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].
Properties
| Medicinal Rating |  |
| Habit | Evergreen Fern |
| Height | 2.00 m |
| Cultivation Status | Wild |
Cultivation Details
Not known
Edible Uses
None known
Medicinal
The spores are used as a styptic for small wounds[
46- Title
- Dictionary of Economic Plants.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Uphof. J. C. Th.
- Publisher
- Weinheim
- Year
- 1959
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.
].
Other Uses
None known
Propagation
Seed -
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Useful Tropical Plants Database 2014 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
