Actiniopteris radiata
(Sw.) Link
Pteridaceae
Acropteris radiata (Sw.) Link
Acrostichum radiatum Poir.
Actiniopteris australis radiata (Sw.) C.Chr.
Asplenium polydactylon Webb
Asplenium radiatum Sw.
Pteris radiata (Sw.) Bojer
Common Name:
General Information
Actiniopteris radiata is a small fern growing 10 - 15cm tall from a short, creeping rhizome. The fronds have fan-shaped leaves[
332- Title
- The Useful Plants of West Tropical Africa.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Burkil. H. M.
- Publisher
- Royal Botanic Gardens; Kew.
- Year
- 1985 - 2004
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Brief descriptions and details of the uses of over 4,000 plants. A superb, if terse, resource, it is also available electronically on the Web - see http://www.aluka.org/
].
The plant is sometimes harvested from the wild for local medicinal use. It is often grown as an ornamental in gardens.
Known Hazards
Although we have found no reports of toxicity for this species, a number of ferns contain carcinogens so some caution is advisable[
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
].
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[
172- Title
- Discovering Wild Plants - Alaska, W. Canada and the Northwest.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Schofield. J. J.
- Publisher
- Alaska Northwest Books; Alaska
- Year
- 2003
- ISBN
- 0882403699
- Description
- A nice guide to some useful plants in that area.
].
Botanical References
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
,
500- Title
- Flora of Somalia
- Publication
-
- Author
- Thulin M. (Editor)
- Publisher
- Kew Publishing, London.
- Year
- 1993
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Detailed information on the plants of the region, often adding notes on the plants uses.
,
687- Title
- Swaziland Ferns and Fern Allies
- Publication
-
- Author
- Roux J.P.
- Publisher
- SABONET; Pretoria.
- Year
- 2003
- ISBN
- 1-919795-97-9
- Description
- Botanical descriptions of the ferns of Swaziland, sometimes including plant uses.
Range
Scattered through tropical Africa from Mali to Somalia, south to S. Africa; E. Asia - India, Sri Lanka.
Habitat
Epilithic or epiphytic, growing in sunny or lightly shaded conditions in rock crevices, at boulder bases, in shallow soil pockets overlaying sheet rock, and among low scrub, in seasonally moist conditions[
687- Title
- Swaziland Ferns and Fern Allies
- Publication
-
- Author
- Roux J.P.
- Publisher
- SABONET; Pretoria.
- Year
- 2003
- ISBN
- 1-919795-97-9
- Description
- Botanical descriptions of the ferns of Swaziland, sometimes including plant uses.
]. At elevations of 230 - 1,000 metres[
500- Title
- Flora of Somalia
- Publication
-
- Author
- Thulin M. (Editor)
- Publisher
- Kew Publishing, London.
- Year
- 1993
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Detailed information on the plants of the region, often adding notes on the plants uses.
].
Properties
| Medicinal Rating |  |
| Habit | Fern |
| Height | 0.12 m |
| Cultivation Status | Ornamental, Wild |
Cultivation Details
A plant of drier areas in the tropics.
Thrives at higher light levels and lower humidity than most ferns, preferring bright, filtered sunlight[
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
].
The fronds shrivel and appear to be dead during times of drought, but rehydrate when the rains return[
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
].
Edible Uses
None known
Medicinal
The plant is said to be anthelmintic, alterative and astringent. It is used in the treatment of prolonged malarial fevers and to arrest haemorrhages[
686- Title
- American Fern Journal Vol.60
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- American Fern Society
- Year
- 1970
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Contains an article on the medicinal uses of Indian ferns. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].
Other Uses
None known
Propagation
Spores - they breed true to type, but great care should be taken with young sporophytes since these are slow to establish[
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
].
Division of offsets, though these are rarely produced[
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
]. The divisions must be kept in close and shady conditions until they are established[
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
].
If you have any useful information about this plant, please leave a comment. Comments have to be approved before they are shown here.
Useful Tropical Plants Database 2014 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
