Balabala, Balabala balaka
Sphaeropteris lunulata

Family: Cyatheaceae

What it is like

A large tree fern. The trunk is erect and can be 8-10 m high. The fronds are divided 3 times. They can be 6 m long.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in tropical and subtropical locations. They grow from sea level to 100 m altitude. They grow in the rainforest.

Countries/locations it is found in

American Samoa, Fiji, Guam, Marianas, New Caledonia, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Vanuatu, Wallis and Futuna

How it is used for food

The young fronds are eaten in times of scarcity. The white pith of the stem is cooked in an earth oven and eaten.

A famine food.

Edible parts

Fronds, leaves, pith

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Olioli

Synonyms

Alsophila lunulata R.Br.; Polypodium lunulatum J.Forster; Cyathea lunulata (J. Forster) ; Cyathea naumannii (Kuhn) Domin; Cyathea veitchii (Baker) Domin; Cyathea vitiensis (Carruthers) Domin; Cyathea ponapeana (Hosokawa) Glassman;