It is native to Central America (Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Panama), and much of South America (Colombia, Guyana, Venezuela, Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, including Trindade, Argentina and Paraguay).

[1] The specific epithet delgadii refers to Gancho do Generale Delgado, along the road to Caldas Novas, Brazil, where the type material was collected.

[2] The trunk of Cyathea delgadii is erect, 1.5–10 metres (4.9–32.8 ft) tall and 5–15 cm in diameter.

Sori are borne on each side of the pinnule midvein and are protected by globose indusia.

C. delgadii may grow on disturbed land and, since it is often harvested from these areas, its use does not have as great an impact on the forest as it would otherwise.