Angiopteris evecta

Angiopteris evecta, commonly known as the king fern, giant fern, elephant fern, oriental vessel fern, Madagascar tree fern, or mule's foot fern, is a very large rainforest fern in the family Marattiaceae native to most parts of Southeast Asia and Oceania. It has a history dating back about 300 million years, and is believed to have the longest fronds of any fern in the world.

Description

A tree fern. It grows to 6 m high. The crown can be 12 m across. The erect rhizome or trunk can be 1 m high and 80 cm across in older plants. This trunk is fleshy with thick fleshy roots. It can just have a tuft of leaves coming from near ground level. Because there is no hard tissue, the water pressure inside the stalk keeps the leaves erect. This frond will therefore collapse in dry weather. Where the stem of the frond joins the trunk is a large ear-shaped leafy structure (stipule). The leaves are 2-7 m long and 1-2.5 m wide. The leaves can be divided 2 to 4 times. The small leaflets are 13 cm long and finely toothed around the edge. There are 3-7 pairs of spore bearing organs in double rows along the veins. The fronds are very fleshy and contain a lot of starch.

Edible Uses

Young unopened fronds (fiddleheads) are eaten fresh. The swollen leaf base is mixed with other vegetables. The stalks and rhizomes are processed into flour and are rich in starch, occasionally used to extract starch for consumption.

Traditional Uses

The young fiddle heads or unopened young fronds are eaten. The swollen leaf base is mixed with other vegetables. Flour can be made from the stalks and rhizomes.

Medicinal Uses

No medicinal uses mentioned in available data.

Known Hazards

Cannot tolerate dry conditions and will collapse during drought. Young plants (less than 3-4 years old) cannot survive frost. Can become invasive.

Distribution

A tropical plant. It is a lowland forest plant. They grow naturally on fertile, moist soil in the rain forest. Often they are near streams and waterfalls. It suits humid locations. They commonly grow in partial shade. They grow from sea level to 700 m altitude. In the Himalayas it grows up to 2,100 m above sea level. They can survive some frost once plants are 3-4 years old. They cannot tolerate dry conditions. In Adelaide Botanical Gardens hot house. It suits hardiness zones 10-12.

Where It Grows

Africa, American Samoa, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Bougainville, Central America, China, Costa Rica, East Africa, Fiji, French Polynesia, FSM, Hawaii, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Jamaica, Japan, Kosrae, Laos, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mariana Islands, Micronesia, Northeastern India, Pacific, Palau, Papua New Guinea, PNG, Philippines, Pohnpei, Polynesia, Rotuma, Ryuku Islands, Samoa, SE Asia, Sikkim, Society Islands, Solomon Islands, Tahiti, Taiwan, Thailand, Wallis and Futuna, West Indies,

Cultivation

They are normally grown from the stipules or leafy structure at the base of the leaflet. It may take 12-18 months for the shoots to form. It is difficult to grow this fern from spores. Small plantlets already developing from the base of the fronds can be removed and planted.

Propagation

Spores. A mycorrhizal association is believed to be necessary for germination. The spores should be either sown on soil obtained from around the roots of an established plant, or the spores should be sown around the base of a plant. Division of offsets - these are produced at the base of the ligules. Use a sharp knife and cut them from close to the rhizome of the parent plant and half bury them in a 50/50 mix of moist peat and sand. Keep in a moist environment (such as a closed frame) until buds and then roots and shoots develop, which c take several months. Pot each plant up in its entirity and plant out when fully established.

Other Uses

An essential oil is obtained from the plant. It is used to perfume coconut oil.

Production

Plants grow quickly. They grow slowly in cool areas.

Other Information

Occasionally used in Papua New Guinea to extract starch. It has been used in the Society Islands.

Notes

Wild pigs often uproot the plants to eat the fleshy roots. There are up to 100 (200) Angiopteris species. It can become invasive. Also put in the family Angiopteridaceae.

Synonyms

Also Known As

Bom, Bukka, Chahmah, Daomalai gidiba, Elephant fern, Mbalambala, Mati Alu, Mule's foot fern, Nabay, Pakis gajah, Pakuh gajah, Pustangabh, Turnip fern, Wan-kep-ret

References (33)

• Andrews, S.B., 1990, Ferns of Queensland. A handbook to the ferns and fern allies. Queensland DPI p 16
• Bodkin, F., 1991, Encyclopedia Botanica. Cornstalk publishing, p 83
• Burkill, I.H., 1966, A Dictionary of the Economic Products of the Malay Peninsula. Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Vol 1 (A-H) p 160 (Also as Angiopteris amboinensis)
• Chaffey, C.H., 1999, Australian Ferns. Growing them successfully. Kangaroo Press. p 11, 83 (Photos)
• Chin, W.Y., 1998, Ferns in the Tropics. Kangaroo. p 93

More from Marattiaceae

Angiopteris fokiensis

Angiopteris helferiana

Angiopteris palmiformis

Eupodium laeve

Winged marattia fern

Marattia excavata

Marattia sp.