Dheki Shak
Ampelopteris prolifera

Family: Thelypteridaceae

What it is like

A fern. It forms large colonies. It has a creeping, scaly rhizome. This is about 1 cm thick. The scales are dark brown and oval shaped but fall off older parts. The fronds form tufts. There are 2 kinds of fronds. One has a leaflet at the end and the other grows indefinitely to about 4 m long.

There is only one Ampelopteris species.

Where it is found

It is a tropical and subtropical plant. It grows on land but usually near water and in wet ground. It can grow in shady and sunny locations. In southern China it grows between 100-1,000 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, China, Congo DR, East Africa, Eswatini, Guinea, Guinée, Himalayas, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Laos, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, New Caledonia, Northeastern India, Pakistan, Philippines, SE Asia, Senegal, South Africa, Southern Africa, Sri Lanka, Swaziland, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Vietnam, West Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The young tips of fronds are eaten as a vegetable. They are also cooked in stir-fries and soup.

Leaves are sold in local markets.

Edible parts

Leaves, fronds, vegetable

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Dhenki

Synonyms

Dryopteris prolifera (Retz.) C. Chr.; Goniopteris prolifera Presl.; Hemionitis prolifera Retz.; Nephrodium proliferum (Retz.) Keys.; Thelypteris prolifera (Retz.) C. F. Reed; and others