Rebecca Tree Fern, Black tree fern
Cyathea rebeccae

Family: Cyatheaceae

What it is like

A slender tree fern. It grows up to 7 m high. The trunk is woody and 10 cm across. It is fibrous at the base. The top section is covered with frond bases. The leaves are twice divided and dark green and glossy. They are 3 m long by 0.5 m wide. The stalk is dark and covered with scales. The fertile leaflets are slightly smaller than the sterile ones.

There are about 800 Cyathea species.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows naturally in coastal scrubs in Northeast Queensland in Australia. It grows at all altitudes in the tropical rainforest. It grows up to 1700 m altitude. It cannot tolerate frosts. It needs protection from wind.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia (country/location of origin), Indonesia, SE Asia

How it is used for food

Starch can be extracted from the upper stem. The young uncurled fronds can be used.

Edible parts

Stem starch, fronds, leaves

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from spores and from offsets or suckers.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Alsophila rebeccae F. von Mueller; Alsophila rebeccae var. normalis Domin.; Alsophila rebeccae var. lobulata Domin.;