Clades:
Gleicheniaceae,
Pteridales; Pteridiidae;
Pteridophyta;
Plants.
Region: tropical Africa; Indian subcontinent, China, southeast Asia to Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands.
Habitat: forest margins or open ground, in poor soils, disturbed ground or cleared forest, and nearly always in full sun; soil low in nutrients but high in organic matter; full sun.
Cultural: causing wounds in the feet, even with sandals.
Content: carcinogens?; thiaminase, robbing vitamin B complex.
Use: starch; stems for pens, woven into mats, partitions inside houses, for stool and chair seats, pouches, caps; for splints, weavers for coiled baskets, belts; petiole and racheae for thatching huts; stems for protection of the chest and belly against arrows.
BotanyTerrestrial fern, vary widely in size, from 60 to 120 cm, even 10 to 180 cm tall; vigorously creeping, spreading to form large clumps.