PONGA - Silver tree fern

Cyathea dealbata

This tree is easily distinguishable from the mamaku black tree fern because the under—surfaces of the fronds are a silvery white, a conspicuous feature.

The old-time Maori used them to mark the track when he travelled at night.

The pith can be used as a bandage for sores, but it has a better use as a drawing poultice for boils and eruptions.

The woody fibre is considered poisonous. It was used formerly as a part of the Maori spearhead. The fronds of this fern were strewn over the floors of the whares, before flax was woven into floor mats.

The delicate patterns of this and other ferns are supposed to have inspired many of the intricate designs used by Maori carvers.