Bird’s Nest Fern, Crows Nest fern
Asplenium nidus

Family: Aspleniaceae

What it is like

An evergreen fern. It grows to 1.5 m high and spreads 3 m across. It can grow by feeding on other plants. It forms nest like bowls on the upper side of branches. The underground thickened horizontal stem is dark brown and short. It is covered with blackish scales. The roots are hairy. The fronds grow out from a central point so that the fern forms rounded tussocks. The fronds are simple and entire and sword shape. The fronds can be 2 m long and up to 20 cm wide. They are dark or yellowish green. They have a raised, bluntly rounded mid vein.

There are over 600-700 Asplenium ferns. They are mostly tropical and subtropical.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in well drained moist soils. It prefers a well protected partly shaded position but not heavy shade. It is drought and frost tender. It occurs on many atolls. It suits hardiness zones 10-12. Mt Cootha Botanical Gardens. In Brisbane Botanical Garden as Asplenium antiquum.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, American Samoa, Asia, Australia, British Indian Ocean Terr., BIOT, Canada, Caroline Is, China, Christmas Island, Chuuk, East Africa, East Timor, Fiji, French Polynesia, FSM, Guam, Hawaii, Indochina, Indonesia, Kiribati, Korea, Kosrae, Laos, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mariana Islands, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Niue, North America, Pacific, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Pohnpei, Rotuma, Samoa, SE Asia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Tahiti, Taiwan, Tasmania, Timor-Leste, Tokelau, Tuvalu, Tonga, USA, Vietnam, Yap

How it is used for food

In the Caroline Islands and Marshall Islands young leaves are eaten. They are used for soup. Also in India. They are an emergency food in famines in China.

It is not known if it is used for food in Papua New Guinea.

Edible parts

Leaves, fronds

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from spores. It can also be grown from rhizome cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Beluve, Chath, Daun semum, Dovidovitaneia, Ekaha, Galak, Gnezdnati sršaj, Kadaka, Kardoap, Karedep, Kartop, Kukulufi, Lau gadaha, Laugapapa, Laukatafa, Laukatapa, Laulu, Lau mea, Luku, Mihlihklihk, Nnuk, Pakis sarang burung, Paku langsuyarm, Paku pandan, Paku sarang burung, Rajang, Rumah langsuyar, Sehlik, Selimbur, Simbar merah, Tehnlik

Synonyms

Asplenium antiquum Makino; Asplenium australasicum (J. Sm.) Hook.; Asplenium ficifolium Goldm.; Neottopteris antigua (Makino) Masam.; Neottopteris australasica J. Sm.; Neottopteris mauritiana Fee; Neottopteris musaefolia J. Sm.; Neottopteris nidis (L.) J. Smith; Neottopteris rigida Fee; Thamnopteris nidus (L.) C. Prsel;