Common Name:

General Information

Allantodia aspera is a large, evergreen fern with an erect, robust rhizome that is rather like a trunk[]. The fronds can be up to 4 metres long[].
The leaves are sometimes gathered from the wild for local use as a food.

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[].

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - southern China, India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, New Guinea.

Habitat

Forests, from sea level to about 900 metres in India. Tropical mountain valleys, understoreys of rainforests, beside streamlets; at elevations from 300 - 1,200 metres in southern China[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Evergreen Fern
Height	4.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Not known

Edible Uses

Young leaves - raw or boiled[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Spores -

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