Fragrant fern, Climbing bird's nest fern
Microsorum punctatum

Family: Polypodiaceae

What it is like

A leafy fern. It has a slender creeping rhizome. It is fleshy. It is covered with a dense mass of black roots. The fern grows 0.3-1.2 m high. It can grow in soil or on rocks. The fronds are narrow and pale green. They are 30-120 cm long by 4-10 cm wide. They are leathery and undivided. They grow erect. Some varieties have lobed leaves. There are a range of cultivated varieties. The spore bodies are 0.1 cm across. They grow on the upper half of the fronds.

There are about 60 Microsorum species. They grow in the tropics.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It suits warm climates. It grows on boulders and amongst rocks in dry forest. It suits hardiness zones 11-12.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Australia, China, East Africa, Guam, Hawaii, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Marquesas, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nigeria, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Polynesia, SE Asia, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, USA, Vietnam, West Africa, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Leaves, fronds

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from spores or by division.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Acrostichum punctatum L.; Polypodium punctatum (L.) Sw. Polypodium irioides Poiret; Polypodium irioides var. lobatum F.M.Bail.; Polypodium punctatum f lobatum (F.M. Bail.) Domin.; Polypodium punctatum f cristatum (F.M. Bail.) Domin.; Polypodium polycarpon Swartz.; Microsorium polycarpum (Swartz.) Tardieu; and several others