Bowenia serrulata

(W. Bull) C. Chamberlaine

Byfield fern

Zamiaceae Edible: Tuber, Root Potential hazards — see below 66 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Bowenia serrulata, the Byfield fern, is a cycad in the family Stangeriaceae. Its bipinnate fronds, arising from a subterranean caudex, give it the appearance of a fern. However it is not a fern as its vernacular name and appearance suggest. It is endemic to the vicinity of Byfield, Australia.

Description

A small palm like plant. It has a trunk which is underground. The leaves are 1 m long and arch over. They are feather-like. The leaves are twice divided. The leaflets are leathery and oval. They are shiny green and have deep teeth along the edge. New growth is shiny bronze. Male and female flowers are separate and on separate plants. The male cones are oblong. The female cones are round. They occur in groups at ground level. The seeds are round and grey. They are 2 cm across.

Edible Uses

The roots (tubers) are baked and eaten.

Traditional Uses

CAUTION The leaves and seeds are toxic. The roots are baked and eaten.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Known Hazards

The leaves and seeds are toxic.

Distribution

It grows in highland rainforests in Queensland. Near Rockhampton it grows from sea level to 700 m altitude. It needs some shade. It suits tropical, subtropical and warm temperate climates. It can only tolerate light frost. In Cairns Botanical Gardens.

Where It Grows

Australia*,

Cultivation

Plants can be grown from seed.

Production

Only one new frond is produced each year.

Notes

There are 2-3 Bowenia species. It has also been put in the family Strangeriaceae.

Nutrition

Part	Moisture	kJ	kcal	Protein	Vit A	Vit C	Iron	Zinc
Root	72.7	—	—	4.1	—	—	0.9	0.6

References (14)

Bodkin, F., 1991, Encyclopedia Botanica. Cornstalk publishing, p 162
Bot. Gaz. 54:419. 1912
Cherikoff V. & Isaacs, J., The Bush Food Handbook. How to gather, grow, process and cook Australian Wild Foods. Ti Tree Press, Australia p 198
Cooper, W. and Cooper, W., 2004, Fruits of the Australian Tropical Rainforest. Nokomis Editions, Victoria, Australia. p 1
Elliot, W.R., & Jones, D.L., 1982, Encyclopedia of Australian Plants suitable for cultivation. Vol 2. Lothian. p 364

Show all 14 references

Hibbert, M., 2002, The Aussie Plant Finder 2002, Florilegium. p 45
Jones D, L, 1986, Ornamental Rainforest Plants in Australia, Reed Books, p 330
Jones, D.L., 2000, Cycads of the world. Reed New Holland. p 106
Lazarides, M. & Hince, B., 1993, Handbook of Economic Plants of Australia, CSIRO. p 35
Leiper, G & Houser, J., Mutooroo. Plant Use by Australian Aboriginal People. Assembly press, Queensland. p54
Lord, E.E., & Willis, J.H., 1999, Shrubs and Trees for Australian gardens. Lothian. p 93
Marinelli, J. (Ed), 2004, Plant. DK. p 361
Melzer, R., & Plumb, J., 2011, Plants of Capricornia. Belgamba, Rockhampton. p 37
Townsend, K., 1994, Across the Top. Gardening with Australian Plants in the tropics. Society for Growing Australian Plants, Townsville Branch Inc. p 103