Bungwall fern, Swamp fern, Swamp Water Fern
Telmatoblechnum indicum

Family: Blechnaceae

What it is like

A medium sized fern. It grows 0.2-1 m high. It has a long, creeping, branched rhizome. It forms extensive spreading patches. The fronds can be 2 m high in shady places. The fronds are held stiffly erect. They are crowded and shiny green. The segments are narrowly sword shaped. They are leathery and have fine teeth along the edge. The segments are slightly reduced in size towards the base of the frond. The fertile segments are similar to the sterile one.

There are between 150 and 200 Blechnum species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in tropical and subtropical places. It grows in swampy low lying places in warm climates. It can grow in open moist places. It can tolerate frost. It cannot stand heavy shade.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, East Timor, Indochina, Malaysia, Pacific, Polynesia, SE Asia, Timor-Leste, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The underground stems (rhizomes) are dug up, dried in the sun and roasted and eaten. The starch is edible.

Edible parts

Rhizome, root, fronds, leaves

How it is grown

It can be grown by division of the rhizome or from spores.

Its other names

Local names

Anbul(ng)kung, Majuwa

Synonyms

Blechnum indicum Burm.f..; and others