Giant tree fern
Cyathea gigantea

Family: Cyatheaceae

What it is like

A tree fern. It has an erect trunk. It can be 5 m or more tall. The fronds are 2-3 m long and divided 2 or 3 times. The middle leaflets are 45 cm long by 18 cm wide and have smaller leaflets 14 cm long by 2 cm wide. The stalk is long, and dark and rough. There are glossy scales which are dark brown with a lighter edge but these fall off. The spore bodies are round and do not have a covering.

There are about 800 Cyathea species.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. Plants are found in moist open areas between 600-1000 m altitude.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, SE Asia, Sikkim, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The starch from the stem is used as food.

Edible parts

Stem starch

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Alsophila gigantea Wallich ex W.J. Hooker;