Psilotum nudum

Psilotum nudum, the whisk fern, is a species of fern in the order Psilotales. Like the other species in this order, it lacks roots. Psilotum nudum, means "bare naked" in Latin, because it lacks (or seems to lack) most of the organs of typical vascular plants as a result of evolutionary reduction. The leaves are not actually absent but greatly reduced.

Description

A naked herb without roots. The stems are like chickens feet. It grows 60 cm long. It can be erect or hang down. It can grow attached to other plants. It has creeping rhizomes.

Edible Uses

The whole plant is brewed into tea.

Traditional Uses

The whole plant is used to make tea.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Distribution

A tropical and subtropical plant. In the tropics it grows from sea level to 1,300 m in Guatemala. If growing in soil it is best in a slightly acid soil. In Argentina it grows from sea level to 1,000 m above sea level. It can grow on wet mossy rocks and the base of coconuts. It grows on atolls.

Where It Grows

Africa, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Brazil, British Indian Ocean Terr., BIOT, Central America, China, Fiji, Guam, Hawaii, Japan, Kiribati, Korea, Maldives, Marquesas, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Pacific, Paraguay, Polynesia, Samoa, Solomon Islands, South America, St. Kitts and Nevis, Taiwan, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, Uruguay, Wallis and Futuna,

Cultivation

Plants grow best with some sun and some shade. Plants can be epiphytic, when growing in the soil they prefer well-drained, sandy soils. Prefers a neutral to slightly acid soil.

Propagation

Seed - Division.

Other Uses

The spores are sometimes used as a dusting and drying powder, like talcum powder.

Notes

There are 2 Psilotum species. They grow throughout the tropics. It probably has anti-bacteria properties.

Synonyms

Also Known As

Baan, Fakalaga-laga, Fale 'o te kimoa, Ibiribir, Lumi ni veikau, Moa, Rubbudufilaa, Sai, Skeleton fork fern, Te kimarawa, Toa vao

References (11)

• Facciola, S., 1998, Cornucopia 2: a Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, p 189 (As Psilotum triquetrum)
• Flora of Solomon Islands
• Parham, B. E. V., 1971, The Vegetation of the Tokelau Islands with special reference to the Plants of Nukunonu Atoll. New Zealand Journal of Botany. 9:4, 576-609
• Sujanapal, P., & Sankaran, K. V., 2016, Common Plants of Maldives. FAO & Kerala FRI, p 222
• Tanaka, (As Psilotum triquetrum)