Allantodia maxima

Family: Athyriaceae

What it is like

A fern. It grows 1-2 m tall. The rhizome is thick and scaly. The stalks are 40-80 cm long. They are erect in tufts. The blades are 60-120 cm long by 30-60 cm wide. They are divided once or twice. There are 9-12 leaflets 15-30 cm long.

Also put in the family Woodsiaceae.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in ravines between 1,200-3,000 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Bhutan, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Myanmar, Nepal, New Caledonia, Northeastern India, Pakistan, Philippines, SE Asia, Sikkim, Taiwan, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The leaves are boiled and eaten as a vegetable. They are rubbed with a cloth to remove hairs and then fried or used for pickles.

Fronds are sold in local markets.

Edible parts

Leaves, fronds, vegetable

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Cha-kawk, Khasrod, Lengadu, Neuro, Sanq hav dal laiv

Synonyms

Asplenium maximum D. Don; Diplazium maximum (D. Don) C. Chr.;