Spiny tree fern
Cyathea manniana

Family: Cyatheaceae

What it is like

A tree fern. It has sharp spines on the trunk. The trunk is slender and 10 cm across. It grows 7 m tall. The fronds are leathery. The fronds are 1-3 m long and 0.9-1.3 m wide.

The young leaves are used to treat the body for tapeworms.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in deep shade near mountain streams. It grows between 900-2,000 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, Congo DR, Congo R, Côte d'Ivoire, East Africa, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinée, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome, Sierra Leone, Southern Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, West Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The young leaves are cooked and eaten as a leafy vegetable.

Edible parts

Leaves, fronds

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Agugu, Bishembegere, Guenon, Igishigishigi, Klogon, Ngung, Oyaele, Sheshino.

Synonyms

Cyathea engleri Hieron. ex Brause; Cyathea laurentiorum C. Chr.; Cyathea manniana var. preussii Tardieu; Cyathea preussii Diels; Cyathea sellae Pirotta; Cyathea usambarensis Hieron. ex Brause;