Bird Nest Fern

'ō'aha (S)

The 'ō'aha is present in all the Polynesian archipelagos. In Tetiaroa it is found on virtually all the motu. It is a type of fern that can be epiphyte, meaning it uses other plants as support. Otherwise, it can be saxicole; grows preferentially on rocks. In French Polynesia it is primarily used ornamentally. On other islands of the Pacific, such as the Vanuatu, it is used in traditional medicine.