Mamaku is a common and widespread New Zealand tree fern. Here are 6 facts about this common black tree fern that has medicinal values.
The tree ferns that can be found in the bush of New Zealand are one of the plants that give the country’s landscape such an otherworldly feel. A friend of mine visiting from the US told me that the tree ferns made it feel to him like he was walking in a primal forest. These tree ferns can be found in many areas across the country from the top of the North Island to the bottom of the South Island. Once you learn how to identify the Mamaku you’ll begin to notice it everywhere.
Tips On Identifying Native Tree Ferns
When attempting to identify a tree fern there are a few things to look at – the trunk, the fronds, height, hair on fronds, and what happens to old fronds. All of these little tips will help you identify which of New Zealand’s 10 native tree ferns you are looking at. Check out this ultimate guide to identifying tree ferns for tips on identifying all of the common native tree ferns.
6 Mamaku Facts
The te reo name for this tree is Mamaku, but the common name is black tree fern for the black colour of the trunk and stalks of the fronds.
This is the tallest and fastest growing tree fern in New Zealand. It can grow up to 20 meters tall!
There are three main features used to identify this tree fern. First, the trunk and stalks of the fronds are a black colour. Secondly, the trunk is covered in hexagonal shapes that are the scars of where the old fronds were and fell off. Finally, the fronds themselves can grow very long and thick, growing as thick as an arm in some cases. The fronds can grow up to 6 meters long.
This tree fern grows from sea level up to 600 meters and is found in forests across the North Island and along the top and west coast of the South Island, including on Stewart Island. This tree prefers to grow in lowland areas and wetter soils.
Side note – one of the big pests of New Zealand, possums, are nocturnal and during the day they will sometimes sleep sitting at the little nest at the top of tree ferns where the bases of the fronds come out of the trunk itself.
Mamaku has been used by Maori for many uses as a medicinal plant. For example, it was used to make a dressing for sores or to help with the afterbirth.
One final use of Mamaku is as a food source. The young fronds can be eaten and the pith or interior of the trunk can also be eaten. So, if you are ever lost out in the bush and in need of food, you could turn to eating parts of Mamaku. I’m sure that’s not high on my list of what I’d want to eat, but it would work as a last resort.