Cyathea dregei
Kunze
Cape tree fern, Grassland tree fern
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) Kate Braun, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Kate Braun
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) Kate Braun, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Kate Braun
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) Kate Braun, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Kate Braun
Description
A tree fern. It is erect with a stout trunk. It grows 5 m tall. The fronds are large and arch over. They can be 3 m long. They are divided 2 or 3 times. The fronds have a covering underneath. The stalks are brown and have a rough surface. There are 12 spore bodies on each leaflet.
Edible Uses
The fronds and young leaves are eaten.
Distribution
It grows in the tropics and subtropics. It is often along streams and on the edges of forests. They are mostly between 900-1800 m altitude. It can tolerate light frosts. It is also fire resistant. It grows best when sheltered and grown in humus rich moist soil. It likes full sun. It suits hardiness zones 9-11.
Where It Grows
Africa, Angola, Australia, Burundi, Cameroon, Central Africa, Congo, East Africa, Equatorial-Guinea, Eswatini, Ghana, Guinea, Guinée, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, West Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe,
Notes
There are about 800 Cyathea species.
Synonyms
Also Known As
Gewone boomvaring
References (8)
- Chapman, J. D. & Chapman, H. M., 2001, The Forest Flora of Taraba and Andamawa States, Nigeria. WWF & University of Canterbury. p 216
- Cundall, P., (ed.), 2004, Gardening Australia: flora: the gardener's bible. ABC Books. p 448
- Etherington, K., & Imwold, D., (Eds), 2001, Botanica's Trees & Shrubs. The illustrated A-Z of over 8500 trees and shrubs. Random House, Australia. p 248
- Jardin, C., 1970, List of Foods Used In Africa, FAO Nutrition Information Document Series No 2.p 112
- Large, M.F., & Braggins, J.E., 2004, Tree Ferns. CSIRO Publishing, Melbourne, Australia. p 127 Plates 46-48
Show all 8 references Hide references
- Swaziland's Flora Database http://www.sntc.org.sz/flora
- van Wyk, B, van Wyk, P, and van Wyk B., 2000, Photographic guide to Trees of Southern Africa. Briza. p 112
- White, F., Dowsett-Lemaire, F. and Chapman, J. D., 2001, Evergreen Forest flora of Malawi. Kew. p 78
