Water fern
Ceratopteris cornuta

Family: Pteridaceae

What it is like

A small fern which grows in water. It roots in the mud. The rhizome is erect. The stems are spongy. The fronds form tufts. The fronds are divided twice. They have many small plants attached. The segments are broad, blunt and rounded. The sterile fronds are erect or spreading. The stalk of the frond can be 4-18 cm long. The blade of the frond is triangle shaped and leaflets are divided 1 or 2 times. These can be 7-25 cm long and 4-20 cm wide.

There are 3-4 Ceratopteris species. Also put in the family Adiantaceae.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. They grow in water or mud. It can be floating. It is cold sensitive.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Australia, Burkina Faso, Indonesia, Liberia, Malaysia, SE Asia, Sierra Leone, West Africa

How it is used for food

It is a cultivated food plant.

Edible parts

Leaves, fronds

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from the buds which grow on fronds. These can be broken off and planted. The spores germinate on wet mud.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Pteris cornuta Beauv.;