Snail fern
Tectaria gemmifera

Family: Tectariaceae

What it is like

A fern. It grows 30-100 cm tall. It has an erect rhizome 2 cm across. This has dark brown scales with lighter edges. The fronds are in tufts and arch over. They are 1.8 m long. The fronds near small plantlets.

Also put in the family Dryopteridaceae.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. In Zimbabwe it grows in deeply shaded forests between 550-1,680 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Asia, Bhutan, Burundi, China, East Africa, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Laos, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, Rwanda, SE Asia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Uganda, Vietnam, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The leaves are cooked and eaten as a vegetable.

Leaves are sold in local markets

Edible parts

Leaves, fronds

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Dantheniuro, Dhagrajawa, Kalo neuro, Ningro

Synonyms

Aspidium cicutarium (L.) Sw.; Tectaria coadunata C. Chr.; and others