Selaginella wallichii

Family: Selaginellaceae

What it is like

A fern. It grows in soil and keeps growing from year to year. It is erect and 40-70 cm tall. It has creeping underground rhizomes and stolons. The main stem is branched with branches along the stem. There are 4-8 pairs of leafy branches. The leaves on the main stem are larger than on the branches.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant. It grows in shaded places in forests. It grows between 100-1,500 m above sea level in south China. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Cambodia, China, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Northeastern India, SE Asia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The young tender leaves or fronds are cooked and eaten as a vegetable.

Edible parts

Leaves, fronds

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Hojum, Wa shi juan bai

Synonyms

Lycopodium wallichii Hooker & Greville;