Dryopteris sieboldii

Family: Dryopteridaceae

What it is like

Dryopteris sieboldii is a FERN growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers moist soil and can tolerate drought.

Height (m): 0.5

Where it is found

Woods, C. and S. Japan. On the rather dry floor of mountain forests.

E. Asia - S. China, Japan.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 1

Root - dried and ground into a powder. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.

Root: includes bulbs, corms, tubers, rhizomes etc.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating:

How it is grown

Prefers an acid to neutral soil, succeeding in ordinary fertile soil in a shady position. Prefers a moist soil, but plants are drought tolerant when established. This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, it tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c. It is best grown in a greenhouse in many parts of Britain. A very ornamental plant. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer.

Propagating it: Spores - can be sown at any time of the year in a greenhouse. Surface sow on a sterilised compost and keep moist, possibly by placing the pot in a plastic bag. Germinates in 1 - 3 months at 20°c. Pot up small clumps of the plants when they are large enough to handle and grow on in a shady part of the greenhouse until large enough to plant out. Division in spring. Larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge;

Habit: Fern

Hardiness: 7-10

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Although we have found no reports for this species, a number of ferns contain carcinogens so some caution is advisable. The fresh plant contains 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. However, there have been reports for other species of ferns suggesting that even cooked fronds can have a long term harmful effect. Some caution is therefore advised.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Pycnopteris sieboldii.