Cibotium chamissoi
Cibotium chamissoi
Safety & Hazards
Although we have found no reports of toxicity for this species, a number of ferns contain carcinogens so some caution is advisable[ 200 Title The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. Publication Author Huxley. A. Publisher MacMillan Press Year 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5 Description Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed. ]. Many ferns also contain thiaminase, an enzyme that robs the body of its vitamin B complex. In small quantities this enzyme will do no harm to people eating an adequate diet that is rich in vitamin B, though large quantities can cause severe health problems. The enzyme is destroyed by heat or thorough drying, so cooking the plant will remove the thiaminase[ 172 Title Discovering Wild Plants - Alaska, W. Canada and the Northwest. Publication Author Schofield. J. J. Publisher Alaska Northwest Books; Alaska Year 2003 ISBN 0882403699 Description A nice guide to some useful plants in that area. ].
Botanical Description
Cibotium chamissoi is an evergreen tree fern that can grow up to 8 metres tall. The bole, which can be 20 - 60cm in diameter, is topped by a rosette of large fronds[ 399 Title Hawaiian Native Plant Propagation Database Publication Author Website http://pdcs.ctahr.hawaii.edu:591/hawnprop/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description Detailed information on the propagation of a wide range of Hawaiian plants. ]. Individual fronds can be up to 2 metres long. The plant is gathered from the wild, mainly for local use as a source of fibre and emergency food supply.