Overview
ponga
Cyathea dealbata
Habit: Tree fern.
Claims to fame: An emblem of New Zealand, alongside kiwi. A stylised silver fern adorns the attire of most national sporting teams, and it is has been suggested as a replacement for the present flag.
Traditional uses: The woody fibre of the trunk is poisonous, and was used to tip spears (Riley, 1994, Maori Healing and Herbal, Viking Sevenseas). Other parts were used to treat skin problems (Brooker et al., 2002, New Zealand Medicinal Plants, Reed). The trunks are useful building material.
Distribution/ecology: North Island and northern South Island, extending sparingly to Dunedin. More common in drier, warmer forests. Native only to New Zealand.
Relationships: A scaly tree fern, like mamaku (Cyathea medullaris); the Dicksonia tree ferns (for example, wheki or Dicksonia squarrosa) are instead hairy. Species similar and closely-related to silver fern occur in the Pacific and Australia.
Identification: The white underside of the fronds. The base of the stem of the fronds also has a white bloom.
Bush City locations: Near the upper entrance (4).