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Useful Tropical Plants

Cibotium barometz

(L.) J.Sm.

Dicksoniaceae

+ Synonyms

Aspidium barometz (L.) Willd.

Balantium glaucescens (Kunze) Link

Cibotium assamicum Hook.

Cibotium baranetz Christ

Cibotium djambianum Hassk.

Cibotium glaucescens Kunze

Cibotium glaucophyllum C.Presl

Dicksonia assamica (Hook.) Griff.

Dicksonia barometz (L.) Link

Nephrodium barometz (L.) Sweet

Polypodium barometz L.

Common Name: Scythian Lamb

Cibotium barometz
Plant growing in the Botanischer Garten München-Nymphenburg, Munich, Germany
Photograph by: Daderot
Public domain
Cibotium barometz Cibotium barometz

General Information

Cibotium barometz is an evergreen fern growing from a creeping rhizome that produces clusters of fronds up to 2 metres tall. The rhizome is very thick, woody, and covered by long soft, golden yellow hairs. It looks rather like a golden haired dog[
266
Title
Flora of China
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
Publisher
Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis.
Year
1994
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available.
]. This fern was the origin of the myth of the Scythian or Tartarian lamb[
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 gathered from the wild for local medicinal use. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental[
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.
].

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.
,
266
Title
Flora of China
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
Publisher
Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis.
Year
1994
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available.

Range

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

Habitat

Hillsides, gullies and forests, where it is shady and damp[
147
Title
A Barefoot Doctors Manual.
Publication
 
Author
?
Publisher
Running Press; Philadelphica.
Year
1977
ISBN
0-914294-92-X
Description
A very readable herbal from China, combining some modern methods with traditional chinese methods.
]. Open places in forests, forest margins, valleys, warm humid environments; usually at elevations below 600 metres, occasionally to 1,600 metres[
266
Title
Flora of China
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
Publisher
Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis.
Year
1994
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available.
].

Properties

Edibility Rating *
Medicinal Rating *  *
Other Uses Rating *  *
HabitEvergreen Fern
Height2.00 m
Cultivation StatusOrnamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Cibotium barometz is native to the subtropical and tropical zones of eastern Asia, where it can be found mainly at elevations below 600 metres, though occasionally ascending to 1,600 metres. It is not a very cold-hardy plant, being able to tolerate short periods with temperatures down to around -4°c when fully dormant[
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.
].
Prefers a humus-rich soil in a sheltered light position but with shade from strong sun. It grows well in light woodland. Plants growing wild are often an indicator of acid soil conditions[
266
Title
Flora of China
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
Publisher
Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis.
Year
1994
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available.
]. Requires shelter from winds, an abundance of moisture at its roots and its trunk kept wet[
1
Title
RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956
Publication
 
Author
F. Chittendon.
Publisher
Oxford University Press
Year
1951
ISBN
-
Description
Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaced in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).
,
49
Title
Shrubs for the Milder Counties.
Publication
 
Author
Arnold-Forster.
Publisher
 
Year
 
ISBN
 
Description
Trees and shrubs that grow well in Cornwall and other mild areas of Britain. Fairly good, a standard reference book.
,
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

There is a report that the plant is edible, but does not say which part of the plant is eaten[
177
Title
Plants for Human Consumption.
Publication
 
Author
Kunkel. G.
Publisher
Koeltz Scientific Books
Year
1984
ISBN
3874292169
Description
An excellent book for the dedicated. A comprehensive listing of Latin names with a brief list of edible parts.
].

Medicinal

The rhizomes contain about 30% starch[
283
Title
Medicinal Plants in Vietnam
Publication
 
Author
Nguyen Van Dan & Doan Thi Nhu
Publisher
World Health Organisation
Year
1989
ISBN
92 9061 101 4
Description
An excellent book, giving information on over 200 plants, their medicinal compounds and applications.
]. They are antiinflammatory, anodyne and vermifuge, and are are used in the treatment of conditions such as rheumatism, lumbago, sciatica, leucorrhoea, dysuria, polyuria in the aged etc[
283
Title
Medicinal Plants in Vietnam
Publication
 
Author
Nguyen Van Dan & Doan Thi Nhu
Publisher
World Health Organisation
Year
1989
ISBN
92 9061 101 4
Description
An excellent book, giving information on over 200 plants, their medicinal compounds and applications.
,
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 thought to have properties that nourish bone and improve gonadal function, so it is frequently used in herbal
remedies for the treatment of osteoporosis[
1769
Title
Therapeutic Anabolic and Anticatabolic Benefits of Natural Chinese Medicines for the Treatment of Osteoporosis
Publication
Front. Pharmacol. 10:1344. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2019.01344
Author
He J., Li X., Wang Z. et al
Website
http://10.3389/fphar.2019.01344
Publisher
 
Year
2019
ISBN
 
Description
 
],
The rhizomes are harvested at the end of the growing season, the smaller roots and yellow hairs are removed then the rhizome is chipped into slices and dried for later use[
283
Title
Medicinal Plants in Vietnam
Publication
 
Author
Nguyen Van Dan & Doan Thi Nhu
Publisher
World Health Organisation
Year
1989
ISBN
92 9061 101 4
Description
An excellent book, giving information on over 200 plants, their medicinal compounds and applications.
].
The root is employed as a tonic in China, where it is said to exercise a special action on the genito-urinary organs[
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 rhizomes are harvested at the end of the growing season. After all the radicles and the yellow hairs covering them have been removed, the rhizomes should be chipped into slices and dried in the sun[
283
Title
Medicinal Plants in Vietnam
Publication
 
Author
Nguyen Van Dan & Doan Thi Nhu
Publisher
World Health Organisation
Year
1989
ISBN
92 9061 101 4
Description
An excellent book, giving information on over 200 plants, their medicinal compounds and applications.
].

The yellow hairs on the rhizomes contain tannins and are astringent[
283
Title
Medicinal Plants in Vietnam
Publication
 
Author
Nguyen Van Dan & Doan Thi Nhu
Publisher
World Health Organisation
Year
1989
ISBN
92 9061 101 4
Description
An excellent book, giving information on over 200 plants, their medicinal compounds and applications.
]. They are used to make ointments and are also used in poultices on wounds in order to stop bleeding[
283
Title
Medicinal Plants in Vietnam
Publication
 
Author
Nguyen Van Dan & Doan Thi Nhu
Publisher
World Health Organisation
Year
1989
ISBN
92 9061 101 4
Description
An excellent book, giving information on over 200 plants, their medicinal compounds and applications.
].
The long, silky, yellowish hairs at the base of the fronds cause rapid coagulation of the blood and when properly used are useful for arresting haemorrhages from capillaries[
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.
].

Agroforestry Uses:

Where growing in its native habitat, the plant is seen as an indicator of acid soils[
266
Title
Flora of China
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
Publisher
Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis.
Year
1994
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available.
].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Spores - these should be collected from mature fronds of healthy plants. The most mature fronds are generally those lower down on the plant. The spore containers (sori) on these fronds should appear full and plump. The frond branches (pinnae) should be removed from the main frond stem and dried in paper bags, envelopes, or folded newspaper packets. Place each frond piece in its own paper container with the spore side down. To ensure that the spores dry quickly and do not go mouldy, place the containers in a single layer in a warm, dry location for 2 or 3 days. The ripe spores will fall off of the fronds. The spores can be separated from the remaining debris using a very fine screen or sieve[
399
Title
Hawaiian Native Plant Propagation Database
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://pdcs.ctahr.hawaii.edu:591/hawnprop/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Detailed information on the propagation of a wide range of Hawaiian plants.
].
Sanitation is an important part of sowing fern spores to prevent both fungal infections and cross contamination by other fern spores. Any sowing medium needs to be fully sterilized before sowing the spores. The cleaned spores are spread on the surface of the sterilized mix and moistened with a fine spray of distilled water. Mixing the spores with water and spraying them onto the planting mix can provide more even distribution. Place a lid over the mix in order to prevent contamination and to maintain high humidity[
399
Title
Hawaiian Native Plant Propagation Database
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://pdcs.ctahr.hawaii.edu:591/hawnprop/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Detailed information on the propagation of a wide range of Hawaiian plants.
].
Clean, dry spores can be stored in paper envelopes or packets. Place the envelopes in an air tight container and place it in the refrigerator[
399
Title
Hawaiian Native Plant Propagation Database
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://pdcs.ctahr.hawaii.edu:591/hawnprop/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Detailed information on the propagation of a wide range of Hawaiian plants.
].

Side shoots that form on the main trunks can be used to form new plants[
399
Title
Hawaiian Native Plant Propagation Database
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://pdcs.ctahr.hawaii.edu:591/hawnprop/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Detailed information on the propagation of a wide range of Hawaiian plants.
].
Cite as: Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2024-12-10. <tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Cibotium+barometz>

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