Pteridium centrali-africanum

Family: Dennstaedtiaceae

What it is like

An erect fern. It grows 1-3 m tall. It has long underground rhizomes that put up shoots. The stem is thick, rounded and hairy. The leaf is compound and 45 cm long with loves. Each leaf has about 21 pairs of leaflets.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Central Africa, Congo DR, Congo R

How it is used for food

The young leaves or fronds are eaten. Caution: It should probably not be eaten in large amounts.

It is sold in local markets.

Edible parts

Leaves, fronds, rhizomes

How it is grown

It can grow from spores or rhizomes.

Its other names

Local names

Mitekwa

Synonyms

Pteridium aquilinum subsp. centraliafricanum Hieron.;