Sticherus cunninghamii
Sticherus cunninghamii, also known as the waekura or umbrella fern, is a New Zealand native fern characterised by its drooping fronds that resemble an umbrella. The fronds are 15–30 cm long and it has an erect stalk between 20 and 50 cm high.[1]
| Sticherus cunninghamii | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Class: | Polypodiopsida |
| Order: | Gleicheniales |
| Family: | Gleicheniaceae |
| Genus: | Sticherus |
| Species: | S. cunninghamii |
| Binomial name | |
| Sticherus cunninghamii (Heward ex Hook.) Ching | |
The fern is found from lowland to mountainous forest in dry areas often with infertile soil.[2] The sap is used in traditional Māori Rongoā herbal medicine, and is claimed to have narcotic effects.[3]
References
- Brownsey PJ, Ewans R, Rance B, Walls S, Perrie LR. A review of the fern genus Sticherus (Gleicheniaceae) in New Zealand with confirmation of two new species records. New Zealand Journal of Botany 2013; 51(2):104-115. doi:10.1080/0028825X.2013.773917
- "Umbrella fern (Sticherus cunninghamii)". Taranaki Educational Resource: Research, Analysis and Information Network. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
- Museum of New Zealand Plant Collection. Collected by Charles Jeffs, 1888
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