Phymatosorus longissimus
(Blume) Pitchi-Serm.
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) Tommy Hui, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) Tommy Hui, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) Tommy Hui, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
Description
A fern that grows in marshes. It grows 35-100 cm tall. It has a long creeping fleshy rhizome. This is 8-10 mm across. It branches several times. There are many dark brown small roots. The leaves are alternate and erect with long leaf stalks. They are divided into lobes along the leaf stalk and the divisions almost meet the midrib. The leaves are 35-270 cm long and 10-60 cm wide. The lobes are narrow from a broad base. They are rough and are 5-35 cm long and 1-3 cm wide. The spore bodies or sori are in lines either side of the midrib.
Edible Uses
The young shoots and unrolled fronds are eaten as flavouring either raw or cooked, with a slightly bitter taste.
Traditional Uses
The young shoots and unrolled fronds are eaten as flavouring either raw or cooked. They have a slightly bitter taste. Caution: Like many ferns it may be best to dry it then cook it. This destroys the enzyme thiaminase.
Known Hazards
Although we have found no reports of toxicity for this species, a number of ferns contain carcinogens so some caution is advisable. Many ferns also contain thiaminase, an enzyme that robs the body of its vitamin B complex. In small quantities this enzyme will do no harm to people eating an adequate diet that is rich in vitamin B, though large quantities can cause severe health problems. The enzyme is destroyed by heat or thorough drying, so cooking the plant will remove the thiaminase.
Distribution
A tropical plant. It grows in wet places at low altitudes. It grows up to 900 m above sea level in Indonesia.
Where It Grows
Asia, China, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Pacific, Philippines, Polynesia, SE Asia, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam,
Synonyms
Also Known As
Paku leat, Paku leyat
References (7)
- Ambasta, S.P. (Ed.), 2000, The Useful Plants of India. CSIR India. p 452 (As Phymatodes longissima)
- Burkill, I.H., 1966, A Dictionary of the Economic Products of the Malay Peninsula. Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Vol 2 (I-Z) p 1801 (As Pleopeltis longissima)
- Ochse, J. J. et al, 1931, Vegetables of the Dutch East Indies. Asher reprint. p 606
- Piggott, A. G. 1988, Ferns of Malaysia in Colour. Tropical press, Malaysia. p 144 (As Phymatodes longissima)
- PROSEA handbook Volume 13 Spices. p 279
Show all 7 references Hide references
- World Checklist of Useful Plant Species 2020. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- Yusuf, U. K., 2010, Ferns of Malaysian Rain Forest. A Journey Through the Fern World. Universiti Putra Malaysia Press p 34
