Deparia boryana

Family: Athyriaceae

What it is like

A fern. It is like a herb. The stalks are scaly at the base. The fronds are 35 cm long. They are divided into leaflets (pinnae) along the stalk. These are deeply divided. The spore bodies are round and in rows on either side of the small veins.

Also put in the family Woodsiaceae.

Where it is found

A tropical and subtropical plant. In Nepal it grows between 1400-3000 m altitude. It grows in damp areas along streams.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa (E), Asia, Bhutan, Cameroon, Central Africa, China, East Africa, Equatorial Guinea, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Kenya, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Nigeria, Philippines, Reunion, SE Asia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Uganda, Vietnam, West Africa, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The tender shoots and fronds are cooked as a vegetable. They are also used as pickles.

Edible parts

Leaves, fronds

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from spores or rooted sections of the stems.

Its other names

Local names

Bisyau, Dhengan, Kali niguro, Kalo neuro, Kalo niuro, Liuro, Niuro

Synonyms

Aspidium boryanum Willd.; Aspidium edentulum Kunze; Dryoathyrium boryanum (Willd.) Ching; Lunathyrium boryanum (Willd.) H. Ohba; and several others