Parsley fern, Austral moonwort
Botrychium australe

Family: Ophioglossaceae

What it is like

A tufted fern which grows to 40 cm high. It continues to grow from year to year and grows on dry land. The rhizome or underground stem is thick and fleshy. It does not have scales or hairs. Both fertile and sterile leaves occur from a common stem which is 2-5 cm long. The sterile leaves are 5-45 cm long and 5-20 cm wide. They are triangular shaped. They are divided up to 5 times. They are bright green and resemble parsley leaves. The fertile stalk is 10-20 cm long and branched 2 or 3 times. The spore bodies occur in rows and crowded on either side. The new frond is not curled when a bud.

There are about 25-40 Botrychium species.

Where it is found

It is a warm temperate plant. It grows in open forests and near the edges of rainforests. It needs light shade. It requires an acid soil. The soil should be well drained but moist. It is resistant to frost but sensitive to drought.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia, Lord Howe Island, New Zealand, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, Tasmania

How it is used for food

It is not known if it is used for food in Papua New Guinea.

Edible parts

Leaves, fronds

How it is grown

It can be grown from offshoots. It needs a good supply of organic material. It can be grown by spores.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Botrychium ternatum var. australe (R.Br.) Domin.;