Kwa'e bala
Cyathea vittata

Family: Cyatheaceae

What it is like

A tree fern. The trunk can be up to 10-20 m tall. The fronds or leaves 4-5 m long. They are divided 3 times. The leaflets or pinnae can be 90 cm long with 30 alternate leaflets. The leaf stalk and trunk are covered with light brown hairs giving the fern a light colour.

There are about 800 Cyathea species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It occurs in Bougainville and the Solomon Islands. It grows in rainforest up to about 800 m altitude.

Countries/locations it is found in

Pacific, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands

How it is used for food

The young leaf shoots and stem heart is cooked and eaten.

The stem heart is a moderately commonly used food.

Edible parts

Leaves, fronds, stem heart

How it is grown

Before harvesting the leaves are cut off then about 2 months later the new young leaf heart or cabbage is cut.

Its other names

Local names

Baroto, Kugui, Kwai, Naknei, Qaroto, Reve, Tongnaha sari, Zoku

Synonyms

Sphaeropteris vittata (Copeland) Tryon;