Polypodiodes niponica

Family: Polypodiaceae

What it is like

A fern. It has a long creeping rhizome. It is grey-green and 5 mm across. It has a whitish bloom and scales. The stalk is straw coloured and 5-15 cm long. It is hairy. The blades are oblong to sword shaped and have teeth along the edge. It is 30-40 c, long by 10-13 cm wide and divided along the stalk. There are 15-25 pairs of segments 3-5 cm long by 1 cm wide. The blades are hairy especially underneath.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows attached to trees or rocks. In southern China it occurs between 300-1,800 m above sea level. In Sichuan and Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, China, India, Japan, Northeastern India, SE Asia, Taiwan, Tibet, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The young leaves or fronds are cooked as a vegetable. They have a bitter taste.

Edible parts

Leaves, fronds

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Polypodiodes amamiana (Tagawa) Saiki; Polypodium niponicum Mett.; and others