Buckthorn brake, Royal fern
Osmunda regalis

Family: Osmundaceae

What it is like

A stout fern. It forms tufts. The fronds are erect and 2 m high. The frond stalk is 30 cm long and the blade 1 m long. It is oval in outline and twice divided.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant and also grows in temperate countries. It grows in damp sites. It grows along streams between 700-2,000 m above sea level. In Nigeria it has been recorded at 2,270 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central Africa, East Africa, Equatorial Guinea, Eswatini, Europe, Lesotho, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Nigeria, North America, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, USA, West Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

CAUTION: It probably causes cancer of the stomach and oesophagus.

Edible parts

Fronds, leaves, caution, vegetable

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Helecho real

Synonyms

Possibly synonym of Osmunda japonica; Osmunda capensis C. Presl.; Osmunda regalis L. var. capensis (C. Presl.) Milde; Osmunda schelpei A. E. Bobrov.; Osmunda transvaalensis A. E. Bobrov.;