Cyathea brunoniana

Family: Cyatheaceae

What it is like

A tree fern. The trunk can be 10-12 m tall. The fronds can be 2-3 m long. They are divided 2 or 3 times. The stalk is smooth and can have pale thin scales near the base. The spore bodies or sori are in 2 rows and are prickly. They are along the main veins and covered with a half round cup.

There are about 800 Cyathea species.

Where it is found

A tropical and subtropical plant. In Sikkim it grows between 1,200-2,000 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, SE Asia, Sikkim, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The soft pith is edible.

Edible parts

Pith - starch

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Pakpa, Pakpe, Pasen, Pashien, Unyo

Synonyms

Alsophila brunoniana W.J. Hooker; Sphaeropteris brunoniana (W.J. Hooker) Tryon;