sago fern
Sphaeropteris medullaris · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Very Sparse (1 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆
Sago fern, scientifically known as Sphaeropteris medullaris, is a remarkable tree fern native to tropical regions. Renowned for its edible pith and diverse therapeutic properties, it plays a vital role in traditional medicine. This versatile plant is widely utilized to treat various ailments, offering significant pharmacological potential in herbal healing.
- Family
- Cyatheaceae
- Native range
- Africa
- Parts used
- Not available
- Common names
- Sago Fern
- Scientific synonyms
- Cyathea Cumingii · Alsophila Extensa · 3 more
Names and Synonyms
Common Names
- sago fern
Scientific Names
Accepted name
Sphaeropteris medullarisSynonyms
- Cyathea cumingii
- Alsophila extensa
- Cyathea polyneuron
- Polypodium medullare
- Cyathea medullaris
Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. Further taxonomic details place it in the subclass Polypodiinae and the order Cyatheales, specifically within the family Cyatheaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Sphaeropteris.
| Rank | Classification |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Streptophyta |
| Class | Equisetopsida |
| Subclass | Polypodiinae |
| Order | Cyatheales |
| Family | Cyatheaceae |
| Genus | Sphaeropteris |
Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)
Distribution
This plant exhibits a wide and diverse geographical distribution across several distinct island regions. Within the Macaronesian archipelago, it can be found growing in Madeira. Its presence extends to the Southwestern Pacific, specifically documented in Fiji. In the region of New Zealand, the species inhabits both the North and South Islands. Finally, its range includes the remote Chatham Islands located near New Zealand.
| Region | Area |
|---|---|
| Macaronesia | Madeira |
| New Zealand | Chatham Is. |
| New Zealand | New Zealand North |
| New Zealand | New Zealand South |
| Southwestern Pacific | Fiji |
| Southwestern Pacific | Vanuatu |
| South-Central Pacific | Marquesas |
| South-Central Pacific | Pitcairn Is. |
| South-Central Pacific | Society Is. |
| South-Central Pacific | Tubuai Is. |
Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)
Botanical Identification
Morphology
The morphology of Sphaeropteris medullaris is characterized by a growth form categorized as a herb, exhibiting a non-woody structural composition. This plant is primarily terrestrial in its ecological habit, rather than being aquatic or epiphytic. In terms of its physical orientation and support, it functions as a self-supporting organism, lacking the climbing mechanisms associated with lianas or vines, as it does not require obligatory or facultative external structures for stability.
- Aquatic :
- terrestrial
- Climber :
- self-supporting
- Epiphyte :
- terrestrial
- Growth form :
- herb
- Woodiness :
- non-woody
Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)
Chemicals
Sphaeropteris medullaris has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Polysaccharide.
| Chemical | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Polysaccharide | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Polysaccharide
- Carbohydrate polymers