Rock fern, Oak fern, Oak leaf fern
Aglaomorpha quercifolia

Family: Polypodiaceae

What it is like

A large fern which grows attached to other plants. It climbs on trees. It can be 1 m high. It forms large spreading clumps. The rootstock is thick and fleshy. There are two kinds of fronds. One forms the "nest" and these do not have a stem and the others which are more like leaves and have a stem. The second ones have stems which are 30 cm long. The frond is one m long by 40 cm wide. It has deep lobes. The first kind of fronds have lobes and teeth around the edge. These turn brown with age but do not fall off the fern. The young fronds of this fern are different shape from the mature fronds on established ferns.

There are about 20 Drynaria species.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in lowland rainforest. It does best in warm humid conditions. It can tolerate cool temperatures. It can grow on rocks and trees in open forests in the tropics. In Hainan in China it grows from sea level to 1,000 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Cambodia, China, East Timor, Hawaii, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Nepal, Northeastern India, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, SE Asia, Sri Lanka, Timor-Leste, USA, Vietnam, West Timor

How it is used for food

The rhizome is eaten. The fleshy rhizome is collected during the dry season, cleaned and pounded and mixed with rice flour to bake cakes.

Edible parts

Rhizome, root, young fronds,leaves

How it is grown

Pieces of the thick rhizome can be planted in soil or attached to wood. They should be in light shade while getting established. In cool weather the roots should be allowed to dry out. Plants can loose all their fronds and then regrow in the wet season. Plants can also be grown from spores. These should be sown fresh. Plants can be grown from spores.

Its other names

Local names

Ashvakatri, Basingh, Garur, Gurar, Jurntuma, Kabkab, Kadikapana, Kammaru, Koi hin, Kupana thinga kop, Mudavaatukkal, Pakis kepala tupai, Pakpak lawin, Pannakilhan-numanavala, Waluminikima

Synonyms

Drynaria quercifolia (L.) J. Smith; Polypodium quercifolia L.;