Basket Fern
Drynaria rigidula

Family: Polypodiaceae

What it is like

A very large fern. It usually grows attached to other plants. It grows 0.3-1.5 m tall. The rootstock is thick and fleshy. The nest leaves are short, narrow and deeply lobed. The sterile fronds are 10-36 cm long by 5-10 cm wide. They are sword shaped. The fertile fronds are very long and have leaflets along the stalk. The fronds are 0.3-1.5 cm long and erect or arching. The segments are 5-20 cm long and narrowly sword shaped. There are small teeth along the edge. The spore bodies are round and in a single row.

There are about 20 Drynaria species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in the tropics and subtropics. It grows on trees and rocks. It favours moist forest and rainforest.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, China, Fiji, Hawaii, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Polynesia, SE Asia, Solomon Islands, Thailand, USA, Vietnam

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Young fronds

How it is grown

Plants can be grown by spores or by division of the plant.

Its other names

Local names

Pakis kalakas, Simbar layangan

Synonyms

Drynaria rigidula var. vidgenii (F.M. Bail.) Ballard; Polypodium rigidulum Sw.; Polypodium rigidulum var. vidgenii F.M. Bail.; Polypodium rigidulum var. cristatum F.M. Bail.;