Common Name:

General Information

A terrestrial fern that can vary widely in size with specimens ranging from 10 - 180cm tall, though they are more likely to be in the range 60 - 120cm[]. A vigorously creeping plant, spreading to form large clumps[].
The fronds are harvested from the wild for their various uses, whilst the root has sometimes been eaten by native peoples[]. The plant can spread rapidly and is used in soil stabilization schemes.

Known Hazards

In places where the plant's habitat has been burned over, the stiff, erect stipes project a few inches above the surface, and often cause wounds in the feet of the natives, even when the latter are protected by leather sandals[].
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[].

Botanical References

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Range

Tropical Africa to Indian subcontinent, China, southeast Asia to Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands.

Habitat

Forest margins or open ground, in poor soils, often colonizing disturbed ground or cleared forest, and nearly always in full sun[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Fern
Height	1.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Grows best in a soil that is low in nutrients but high in organic matter - pure composted bracken fronds is often recommended[]. Established plants prefer a position with at least some full sun[].
A difficult plant to cultivate because it resents root disturbance and also relies upon a mycorrhizal association in the soil[]. Do not disturb the soil around plants[].

Edible Uses

The roots are a source of starch - used for food by the Aborigines of Australia[, ].

Medicinal

The leaves are antiasthmatic, febrifuge and poultice[, ]. They are used in the treatment of asthma and fevers[]. The young, circinately vernated leave, ares mixed with cow milk and then used for seven days continuously to remove sterility in women[].
The leaves are used as a poultice when treating wounds, cuts, boils, ulcers and sores[, ]. The crushed leaves are applied as a poultice to control fever[].

The roots are anthelmintic[, ].

The plant (part not specified) is boiled with the roots of pulasan (Nephelim mutabile) and then used for bathing feverish patients[].

A fluid extracted from the fronds has shown antibacterial activity[].

Agroforestry Uses:

A low growing and quickly spreading plant, it is an important soil binding pioneer species that very quickly volunteers after a land slide or other erosion, or after a forest fire[, ]. It grows in thick, pure stands that can cover an erosion scar and bind the soil until other species become established[].

Other Uses

The stems have many functions. They are widely used for pens (which are sold in markets); they are woven into mats, used to make partitions inside houses, as stool and chair seats, pouches, caps etc[, ]. Splints are prepared by cracking the outer covering of the very long leafstalks and pulling out the ribbon-like vascular bundles. The splints are excellent weavers for coiled baskets and are also used in making belts[].

The petiole and racheae are used in thatching huts[].

The inner cores of the stems, after removing the bark, were traditionally fastened on the chest and belly as a protection against arrows[].

Propagation

Spores - Difficult to raise but easier to establish than divisions.
Divisions are difficult due to the plants resentment of any disturbance. If it is attempted, only large, long established specimens should be used.

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