Scrambling fern, Comb bracken
Dicranopteris linearis

Family: Gleicheniaceae

What it is like

A fern. It has a stout creeping rhizome or underground stem. It grows 2 m high and spreads 1.5 m wide. The fronds form dense thickets. The fronds have 25-60 pairs of narrow segments.

The fronds are used in medicine in Bangladesh.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. In Bangladesh it grows in hilly areas in full sunlight or light shade. It forms dense patches. It is best in moist, well-drained peaty soils. It needs a protected position. It is damaged by frost or drought.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, American Samoa, Australia, Asia, Bangladesh, Central Africa, Congo DR, East Africa, East Timor, Eswatini, Fiji, Guam, India, Indochina, Laos, Malawi, Marquesas, Micronesia, Mozambique, Nepal, New Zealand, Northeastern India, Pacific, Palau, Samoa, SE Asia, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Taiwan, Timor-Leste, Wallis and Futuna, West Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The root is softened by pounding and then roasted and eaten. It is also used for making salt. The young fronds are cooked and eaten as a vegetable

Edible parts

Root, fronds

How it is grown

Plants can be grown by spores or division.

Its other names

Local names

Jurntuma, Lirang, Old world forked fern, Tipurrukurtuwa, Unyiu, Walumanikima

Synonyms

Dicranopteris dichotoma (Thunb.) Bernh.; Dicranopteris linearis var. linearis; Gleichenia ferruginea Blume; Gleichenia hermanni R. Br.; Gleichenia lanigera D. Don; Gleichenia linearis (Burm. f.) C. B. Clarke; Gleichenia rigida J. Sm.; Mertensia lessonii A. Rich.; Mertensia linearis (Burm. f.) Fritsch; Mertensia rufinervis Mart.; Platyzoma ferrugineum Desv.; Platyzoma latum Desv.; Polypodium lineare Burm. f.; Polypodium pedatum Houtt.; Pteris platylata Christenh.;