Cyathea microdonta
Cyathea microdonta
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
Cyathea microdonta is an evergreen tree fern with a stem up to 4 metres tall that is armed with stout spines. The stem is crowned with a rosette of leaves up to 2.5 metres long[ 489 Title Ferns and Fern Allies of Guatemala Publication Author Website http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org Publisher Field Museum of Natural History Year 1981 ISBN Description A flora of the ferns of Guatemala, giving some plant uses. It can be downloaded from the Internet. ]. The pith of the plant is harvested during times of need to serve as an emergency food.