#sagofern

Plant of the Day

Sunday 12 January 2020

The stipes (stems) of Cyathea medullaris (black tree-fern, mamaku, sago fern) are a striking black covered with scales and marginal spines. It can be distinguished from related species by the hexagonal scars on the trunk. This iconic New Zealand tree fern has wonderful unfurling croziers that have striking black scales. This specimen was growing in the Temperate House, Royal Botanic Garden Kew, London. The croziers reminded me of a wonderful spiral staircase I had seen recently.