Pteridium aquilinum

Family: Dennstaedtiaceae

What it is like

A fern. The leaves are fleshy and simple. They are leathery. The spores are on spikes at the ends of the plant.

It causes cancer.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It grows in shady places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Alaska, Angola, Asia, Brazil, Britain, Cameroon, Central Africa, China, Congo DR, Crete, Czech Republic, East Africa, Estonia, Europe, Fiji, Finland, Gabon, Greece, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Laos, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mediterranean, Mongolia, Mozambique, Nepal, Nigeria, North America, Northeastern India, Nepal, NW India, Pacific, Pakistan, Papua, Philippines, Russia, Scandinavia, SE Asia, Slovenia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Spain, Sweden, Tibet, Turkey, Türkiye, USA, West Papua

How it is used for food

The very young fiddle heads are peeled and boiled and eaten. The water is often changed several times. They are canned for later use. The rhizomes are used as an ingredient in bread. They are also pickled. Caution: This plant contains chemicals that cause cancer.

Edible parts

Shoots, rhizomes, root, fronds, leaves, caution

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Aetos, Biteku, Churuli, Egrelti, Falguera, Fteri, Helecho, Idea, Jie ma, Jue fen, Jue tai cai, Kakaie, Kwangai, Losup, Nteko, Matekwa tekwa, Nkungambwa, Okang oing, Paku bedegak, Paporotnik, Resam, Samambaia-das-taperas, Shatri, Thaivasoppu, Uneu

Synonyms

Pteridium aquilinum var. lanuginosum Henriq; Pteridium aquilinum subsp typicum R. M. Tryon; Pteridium japonicum Tardieu & C. Chr.; Pteridium latiusculum (Desv.) Hieron ex Fries; Pteris aquilina L. Pteris aquilina Michx.; Pteris aquilina var. lanuginosa (Bory ex Willd.) Hook.; Pteris capensis Thunb.; Pteris lanuginosa Bory ex Willd.;