Ponga (Aotearoa / New Zealand )
In rongoā Māori/Māori medicine ponga gum is taken to evict parasites worming through our intestines, and the pith (the soft cellular tissue) is known as an antiseptic.
These tree ferns are usually found in dry or open-air areas in lowland to lower mountain forest throughout the North Island. In the South Island ponga is largely absent from the wetter west and south, preferring sites with better drainage.
Did you know? The silver fern is an iconic symbol in New Zealand. It is found only within forests in Aotearoa but can also be spotted on our coat of arms, our sports teams, our products, and even New Zealand planes.
Identify New Zealand’s common tree ferns: ponga, mamaku, kātote, whekī, and whekī ponga
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