Hottentot fern, Willdenow's fern
Cyclosorus interruptus

Family: Thelypteridaceae

What it is like

A medium sized fern. It grows 0.5-1.6 m high. It forms extensive spreading patches. The rootstock is creeping and has many branches. The fronds are erect, leathery and dark green. They can be 1 m long. The segments of the fronds are lobed and sword shaped. They are largest at the base of the frond. The largest leaflets are 8-15 cm long by 1-1.8 cm wide. They are leathery. There are hairs on the veins underneath the leaf. The stalk has papery scales on it. The fruit spot of spores are under the leaf in a zigzag line along the edge of the leaf.

There are now only 2 recognised Cyclosorus species. Others are now in other genera.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in swamps. It can grow in wet clay soil and sunny locations. It can grow in drier areas with shade. It can stand frost. In Papua New Guinea it grows from sea level to 1,500 m altitude but mostly it is at low altitudes below 50 m. Geelong Botanical Gardens.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Algeria, American Samoa, Angola, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Botswana, Brazil, Central America, Chad, China, Congo DR, East Africa, East Timor, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gambia, Kenya, Indochina, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Mexico, Mozambique, New Zealand, Nicaragua, North America, Pacific, Panama, Papua New Guinea, SE Asia, Senegal, South Africa, Southern Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Swaziland, Taiwan, Tanzania, Timor-Leste, USA, Venezuela, Vietnam, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The young growing point and young fronds have been recorded as eaten. The roots are roasted and eaten.

Edible parts

Heart, fronds, leaves, roots

How it is grown

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

Its other names

Local names

Kulhlhahavaali, Vao tuaniu

Synonyms

Aspidium unitum var. propinquum (R. Br.) F.M Bail.; Cyclosorus gongylodes (Schkuhr) Link; Cyclosorus gongylodes var. hirsutus (Mett.)Farwell; Dryopteris gongylodes (Schkukr) O Kuntze; Dryopteris gongylodes var. propinqua (R. Br.) v. Ald. v. Ros.; Pteris interruptus Willd.; Thelypteris interrupta (Willd.) K Iwats; and others