Cyathea

Cyathea

　　Cyatheaceae plants are an ancient group that was once widely distributed across the Earth during the Mesozoic Era. The distribution range of extant species has shrunk, and there are many regionally endemic species, making them ideal subjects for studying species formation and the relationship between plant geography and distribution. Cyathea has an attractive and unique plant form, making it suitable for ornamental purposes.

The pith of the Cyathea stem, after removing the outer bark, can be used for medicinal purposes. It tastes pungent, slightly bitter, and is neutral in nature; it can dispel rheumatism, strengthen bones and muscles, clear heat, and relieve coughing. It is commonly used to treat bruises and injuries, rheumatic pain, lung heat cough, prevention of influenza, epidemic cerebrospinal meningitis, as well as nephritis, edema, kidney deficiency, lower back pain, uterine bleeding in women, epigastric and abdominal pain, roundworms, pinworms, and rinderpest. The inner stem sap can be applied externally to treat ringworm. Its stem pith contains about 27.44% starch, which can be extracted as a starchy food substitute, and its rhizome has effects such as clearing heat and detoxifying.