Asian netvein hollyfern
Cyrtomium fortunei

Family: Dryopteridaceae

What it is like

Cyrtomium fortunei is an evergreen Fern growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in) by 0.4 m (1ft 4in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. It is in leaf all year. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 0.5

Where it is found

Thickets in hills and low mountains all over Japan. In China it is found on the sides of ditches and roadways as well as in rocky crevices where it is damp and shady.

E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 0

Medicine

Rating: 2

The rhizome is analgesic, anthelmintic, antibacterial, anticoagulant, antiviral, depurative, febrifuge and haemostatic. A decoction is used in the treatment of hookworm, tapeworm, ascariasis, filiariasis, acute infectious hepatitis and various bleeding ailments. The decoction is also used as a preventative for influenza and measles.

Analgesic: Relieves pain.

Anthelmintic: Expels parasites from the gut.

Antibacterial: Kills bacteria.

Anticoagulant: Removes blood clots.

Antiviral: Treats virus diseases

Depurative: Eliminates toxins and purifies the system, especially the blood.

Febrifuge: Reduces fevers.

Haemostatic: Controls internal bleeding.

Other

Rating:

How it is grown

Requires a moderately loose soil, do not firm the soil any more than is necessary. Tolerates a little direct sun but it grows better in the shade. Grows well in a woodland garden. Prefers a pH between 6 and 7 but this is not critical. Dislikes too much winter moisture. A very ornamental and hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to about -30°c. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer.

Propagating it: Spores - best sown as soon as ripe on the surface of a humus-rich sterilized soil. Keep the compost moist, preferably by putting a plastic bag over the pot. Germinates in 1 - 3 months at 20°c. Pot on small clumps of plantlets as soon as they are large enough to handle and keep humid until they are well established. Do not plant outside until the ferns are at least 2 years old and then only in a very well sheltered position. Division in spring or summer.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; not Deep Shade;

Habit: Fern

Hardiness: 5-9

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium

Shade: Full shade, semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

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.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

C. falcatum fortunei.