Cibotium menziesii
Cibotium menziesii
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 menziesii is an evergreen tree fern that usually grows about 3 metres tall though some specimens can reach up to 10 metres[ 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. , 436 Title Native Plants Hawaii Publication Author Website http://nativeplants.hawaii.edu/plant/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A website containing information on a range of native Hawaiian plants, with descriptions, habitat, traditional uses etc. , 509 Title The Indiginous Trees of the Hawaiian Islands Publication Author Rock J.F. Website http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org Publisher Year 1913 ISBN Description A guide to the trees and forests of Hawaii. Rather dated, but a good work. It can be downloaded from the Internet. ]. The bole can be 75cm in diameter, 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 4 metres or more long[ 436 Title Native Plants Hawaii Publication Author Website http://nativeplants.hawaii.edu/plant/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A website containing information on a range of native Hawaiian plants, with descriptions, habitat, traditional uses etc. ]. The plant is gathered from the wild, mainly for local use as a source of fibre and emergency food supply. A strikingly beautiful tree fern, it deserves to be grown more frequently in the appropriate landscape setting[ 436 Title Native Plants Hawaii Publication Author Website http://nativeplants.hawaii.edu/plant/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A website containing information on a range of native Hawaiian plants, with descriptions, habitat, traditional uses etc. ].