Adiantum lunulatum
Burm.f.
Pteridaceae
Some modern treatments, including the African Plant Database[
328- Title
- African Flowering Plants Database
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.ville-ge.ch/musinfo/bd/cjb/africa/recherche.php
- Publisher
- Conservatoire et Jardin Botaniques.
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Contains information on over 150,000 plant names (including synonyms) giving a description and habitat, plus a distribution map.
], treat this plant as Adiantum philippense (treated here as a synonym)[
K- Title
- Plants for a Future
- Author
- Ken Fern
- Description
- Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].
Adiantum arcuatum Sw.
Adiantum lunatum Cav.
Adiantum philippense L.
Pteris lunulata (Burm.f.) Retz.
Common Name:
General Information
Adiantum lunulatum is an evergreen, perennial fern producing fronds up to 40cm tall from a shortly-creeping rhizome. The fronds are arching to semi-prostrate, forming roots at their apex from which a new plant develops[
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 plant is sometimes harvested from the wild for local medicinal use. It is also 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.
,
489- Title
- Ferns and Fern Allies of Guatemala
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Field Museum of Natural History
- Year
- 1981
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A flora of the ferns of Guatemala, giving some plant uses. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
Range
Widely distributed in the tropics through Africa, Asia, Australia, Central America and northern S. America.
Habitat
Shady hill forests in India[
497- Title
- The Botany of Bihar and Orissa
- Publication
-
- Author
- Haines H.H.
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Adlard & Son & West Newman Ltd. London
- Year
- 1922
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A flora, it gives many plant uses. The book can be downloaded from the Internet.
]. In forests, thickets, or wooded ravines, most commonly in rocky soil, on banks of streams and rivers, at elevations from 200 - 1,500 metres in Guatemala[
489- Title
- Ferns and Fern Allies of Guatemala
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Field Museum of Natural History
- Year
- 1981
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A flora of the ferns of Guatemala, giving some plant uses. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].
Properties
| Habit | Evergreen Fern |
| Height | 0.40 m |
| Cultivation Status | Ornamental, Wild |
Cultivation Details
Not known
Edible Uses
None known
Medicinal
The plant is considered to be a bronchio-dilator, diuretic and pectoral[
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.
]. It is used extensively in Indian for the treatment of fevers in children[
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.
]. It is one of the constituents of 'Hansraj', a preparation esteemed in India for the treatment of coughs[
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.
].
The rootstock is considered good for treating fever and elephantiasis[
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.
]. A decoction of the root is used in the treatment of throat affections[
497- Title
- The Botany of Bihar and Orissa
- Publication
-
- Author
- Haines H.H.
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Adlard & Son & West Newman Ltd. London
- Year
- 1922
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A flora, it gives many plant uses. The book can be downloaded from the Internet.
].
Other Uses
None known
Propagation
Spores.
Division of new plants formed at the apex of the fronds[
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.
