Cyathea microdonta
(Desv.) Domin
Cyatheaceae
Some authorities recognize this species as Trichipteris microdonta[
K- Title
- Plants for a Future
- Author
- Ken Fern
- Description
- Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].
Alsophila aculeate (Raddi) J.Sm.
Alsophila armata Mart.
Alsophila ferox C.Presl
Alsophila microdonta (Desv.) Desv.
Alsophila rufa Fée
Polypodium aculeatum Raddi
Polypodium microdontum Desv.
Trichipteris microdonta (Desv.) R.M.Tryon
Common Name:
General Information
Cyathea microdonta is an evergreen tree fern with a stem up to 4 metres tall that is armed with stout spines. The stem is crowned with a rosette of leaves up to 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 pith of the plant is harvested during times of need to serve as an emergency food.
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.
Range
S. America - Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, the Guyanas and through Central America to southern Mexico.
Habitat
Wet forests and thickets, in swamps and along streams, at elevations from sea level to 250 metres[
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
| Edibility Rating |  |
| Habit | Evergreen Fern |
| Height | 4.00 m |
| Cultivation Status | Wild |
Cultivation Details
Not known
Edible Uses
The pith of the plant is used as a starchy food during times of food shortage[
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.
].
Medicinal
None known
Other Uses
None known
Propagation
Seed -
If you have any useful information about this plant, please leave a comment. Comments have to be approved before they are shown here.
Useful Tropical Plants Database 2014 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
