Japanese wood fern
Dryopteris sieboldii
Family: Dryopteridaceae
What it is like
A fern. It grows 50 cm high and spreads 50 cm wide. The fronds are large and have leaflets along the stalk. There are 5-7 leaflets. These are blue-green in colour. The leaflets are oblong or sword shaped. The edges are irregular with fine teeth. The fertile fronds are larger.
There are about 200 Dryopteris species. Also put in the family Polypodiaceae.
Where it is found
A hardy fern. In China it grows between 400-900 m above sea level. It suits hardiness zones 7-10.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, Australia, China, Japan
How it is used for food
A flour is made from the roots.
Edible parts
Roots - flour