Cyrtomium fortunei — Edible Plant Database

What to Eat

Edible parts: Leaves, Fronds

None known.

Known Hazards

Although we have found no reports of toxicity for this species, a number of ferns contain carcinogens so some caution is advisable. Many ferns also contain thiaminase, an enzyme that robs the body of its vitamin B complex. In small quantities this enzyme will do no harm to people eating an adequate diet that is rich in vitamin B, though large quantities can cause severe health problems. The enzyme is destroyed by heat or thorough drying, so cooking the plant will remove the thiaminase.

Where to Find It

It is a temperate plant. It grows in cracks in limestone in open areas or in forests. In China it grows between 100-2,400 m above sea level. It can grow in light shade.

Asia, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Japan, Korea, Nepal, North America, Northeastern India, SE Asia, Slovenia, Taiwan, Thailand, USA, Vietnam,

Countries: United Arab Emirates, Afghanistan, Antigua & Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Barbados, Bangladesh, Bahrain, Brunei, Bahamas, Bhutan, Belize, Canada, China, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Georgia, Guatemala, Honduras, Haiti, Indonesia, Israel, India, Iraq, Iran, Jamaica, Jordan, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Cambodia, St Kitts & Nevis, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Laos, Lebanon, St Lucia, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Mongolia, Maldives, Mexico, Malaysia, Nicaragua, Nepal, Oman, Panama, Philippines, Pakistan, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovenia, El Salvador, Syria, Thailand, Tajikistan, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Turkey, Trinidad & Tobago, Taiwan, United States, Uzbekistan, St Vincent, Vietnam, Yemen

How to Identify

A tufted fern. It grows 25-50 cm tall. It loses its leaves in colder climates. The fronds are oblong and 20-42 cm long by 8-14 cm wide. It has leaflets along the stalk. These are sickle shaped and dull green.

How to Grow

Requires a moderately loose soil, do not firm the soil any more than is necessary. Tolerates a little direct sun but it grows better in the shade. Grows well in a woodland garden. Prefers a pH between 6 and 7 but this is not critical. Dislikes too much winter moisture. A very ornamental and hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to about -30°c. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer.

Propagation: Sow spores as soon as ripe on the surface of a humus-rich sterilised soil. Keep the compost moist, ideally by placing a plastic bag over the pot. Germination takes 1–3 months at 20°C. Pot on small clumps of plantlets once large enough to handle and keep humid until well established. Do not plant outside until the ferns are at least 2 years old, and then only in a very well sheltered position. Division can be carried out in spring or summer.

Medicinal Uses

The rhizome is analgesic, anthelmintic, antibacterial, anticoagulant, antiviral, depurative, febrifuge, and haemostatic. A decoction is used to treat hookworm, tapeworm, ascariasis, filariasis, acute infectious hepatitis, and various bleeding conditions. The same decoction is also taken as a preventative measure against influenza and measles.

Other Uses

None known.

Wikipedia

Source ↗

Cyrtomium fortunei, also known by its common name Fortune's holly-fern, is a species from the genus Cyrtomium. This plant was first described by John Smith. It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.

Names & Synonyms

Polystichum fortunei (J. Sm.) Nakaiand others

References (2)

Kang, Y., et al, 2012, Wild food plants and wild edible fungi in two valleys on the Qinling Mountains (Shaanxi, central China) Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine; 9:26
Liu, Y., et al, 2012, Food uses of ferns in China: a review. Acta Societatis Botanicorum Poloniae 84(4): 263-270