Hymenophyllum plumosum
Kaulf.
Hymenophyllaceae
Sphaerocionium plumosum (Kaulf.) Copel.
Common Name:
General Information
Hymenophyllum plumosum is a perennial, epiphytic fern with leaves up to 75cm long.
The plant is sometimes gathered from the wild for local medicinal use.
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
488- Title
- Pteridophyta of Peru
- Publication
-
- Author
- Tryon R.M.: Stolze R.G.
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Field Museum of Natural History
- Year
- 1993
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A flora of the fern species in Peru. It cam be downloaded from the Internet.
Range
S. America - Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela; Central America - Panama, Costa Rica.
Habitat
Epiphyte on trunks or branches in dense, wet forests, or occasionally pendent from wet, clay banks, at elevations from 550 - 3,100 metres[
488- Title
- Pteridophyta of Peru
- Publication
-
- Author
- Tryon R.M.: Stolze R.G.
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Field Museum of Natural History
- Year
- 1993
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A flora of the fern species in Peru. It cam be downloaded from the Internet.
].
Properties
| Medicinal Rating |  |
| Habit | Fern |
| Height | 0.75 m |
| Cultivation Status | Wild |
Cultivation Details
A plant of moderate to higher elevations in the tropics, usually found at elevations higher than 900 metres up to over 3,000 metres.
Edible Uses
None known
Medicinal
The plant is diuretic and sudorific[
46- Title
- Dictionary of Economic Plants.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Uphof. J. C. Th.
- Publisher
- Weinheim
- Year
- 1959
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.
].
Other Uses
None known
Propagation
Seed -
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Useful Tropical Plants Database 2014 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
