Ponga

Latin Name wkeki - ponga

Common Name ponga

Ponga as relates to tree ferns strictly relates to the Cyathea dealbata (Silver fern) but this word ponga is often interpreted as relating to the Dicksonia species (Dicksonia squarrosa and Dicksonia fibrosa).

These latter two varieties should be correctly referred to as WHEKI = DICKSONIA SQUARROSA the cylinderical brown trunk fern whose trunk is often cut as a ponga log and used as retaining wall or edging.

WHEKI-PONGA is correctly the Dicksonia fibrosa species and is distinctive by its fatter fibrous trunk and shuttlecock shaped fronds, the dead fronds drop down around the trunk and form a skirt.