Angiopteris evecta aka Madagascar Tree Fern

Angiopteris evecta, or turnip fern, belongs to the Marattiaceae family. Its native range runs from New Guinea into the Pacific. It is a perennial fern of the wet tropics. It grows in lowland regions with very high rainfall. The species varies greatly in form. Some botanists have divided it into many separate species. The name here follows the broad treatment in the supplied sources.

This large evergreen fern has fronds reaching 16.4 feet [5 metres] long. The reported plant height also reaches 16.4 feet [5 metres]. Its thick rhizome can span 3.3 feet [1 metre]. These dimensions show the space a full-grown plant may need. The sources give no separate garden spread. They show new fronds unfolding and spores beneath the leaves. The long fronds and large base define its form.

In the wild, it grows on deeply shaded forest floors. It often grows beside streams or in drainage channels. Water may submerge plants in these sites. For cultivation, it needs moist soil rich in humus. The soil should be acidic. Choose a site with moderate to deep shade. Its native setting combines shade, warmth, and abundant rain. The evidence gives no cold-hardiness range for garden use. It also gives no specific pest or disease problems.

Growers can raise new plants from spores or offsets. The source suggests that germination may depend on mycorrhizal fungi. It recommends sowing spores near an established plant. Soil from around an established plant offers another option. Offsets form at the base of the ligules. Cut them close to the parent rhizome with a sharp knife. Half bury them in equal parts moist peat and sand. Keep them in a moist, enclosed setting as they develop. Buds, roots, and shoots may take several months to form. Pot up each young plant before planting it out.

People gather this fern from the wild for local use. Its starchy pith serves as food. The plant also yields an essential oil for scenting coconut oil. The source lists no known medicinal uses. It reports no toxicity cases for this species. That absence does not establish that eating it is safe. The supplied account gives no species-specific preparation method or safe serving size.