Kōwaowao – native bush lettuce (Lecanopteris pustulata)
Otherwise known as Hound’s Tongue fern, kōwaowao has a nutty, creamy, flavour a bit like macadamia nuts and serves as a staple replacement for salad in the bush. Eat the opaque ends of fresh fronds, which are especially abundant in spring. Kōwaowao grows up trees, on cliff faces and steep rocky banks. It’s sprawling habit helps stab...
