Japanese Climbing fern
Lygodium japonicum
Family: Lygodiaceae
What it is like
A climbing fern. It is a herb. It forms dense climbing patches to 3 m tall. The rootstock is long and creeping and much branched. The fronds are bright green. The leaves are compound. They are divided 3 times. The leaflets are 5-12 cm long by 1-1.5 cm wide. There are teeth along the edge. The sterile fronds are more broad. The fertile segments are 0.6-1.5 cm long. The spore bodies are large and in two rows. They can be carried in the wind.
There are about 30-40 Lygodium species. They occur in the tropics and subtropics. It can be invasive. Also put in the family Schizaeaceae.
Where it is found
A tropical and subtropical plant. It suits the tropics. In Nepal it grows between 1000-3900 m altitude. It grows in moist, shady places. It grows in Northern Western Australia and southern Queensland. In Yunnan.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, Australia, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Japan, Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Nepal, Pacific, Philippines, Puerto Rico, SE Asia, USA, West Indies
How it is used for food
The tender fronds are cooked as a vegetable. They are cooked in stir-fries and soup.
It is sold in local markets in China.
Edible parts
Leaves, fronds, vegetable, plant - tea
How it is grown
Plants are grown from spores. They are more commonly grown from rooted layers. Plants respond to fertiliser.
Its other names
Local names
Aankhle jhar, Bahun lahara, Dewuli, Ding dong mao, Janai lahara, Januaryai lahara, Parewavuri, Ukuse jhar