Osmunda regalis

Osmunda regalis, or royal fern, is a species of deciduous fern, native to Europe, North Africa and West Asia, growing in woodland bogs and on the banks of streams. The species is sometimes known as flowering fern due to the appearance of its fertile fronds.

Description

A stout fern. It forms tufts. The fronds are erect and 2 m high. The frond stalk is 30 cm long and the blade 1 m long. It is oval in outline and twice divided.

Edible Uses

None known

Traditional Uses

CAUTION: It probably causes cancer of the stomach and oesophagus.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

The root is astringent, diuretic, tonic, and vulnerary, and is used in the treatment of jaundice and to remove obstructions of the viscera. Fronds are made into compresses for external application to wounds and rheumatic joints, for which they are considered fairly effective. An infusion of the fronds combined with wild ginger roots (Asarum species) has been used to treat children experiencing convulsions caused by intestinal worms.

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

It is a tropical plant and also grows in temperate countries. It grows in damp sites. It grows along streams between 700-2,000 m above sea level. In Nigeria it has been recorded at 2,270 m above sea level.

Where It Grows

Africa, Asia, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central Africa, East Africa, Equatorial Guinea, Eswatini, Europe, Lesotho, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Nigeria, North America, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, USA, West Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe,

Cultivation

An easily grown plant, it prefers a soil of swamp mud and loamy or fibrous peat, sand and loam. Succeeds in most moist soils, preferring acid conditions. Requires a constant supply of water, doing well by ponds, streams etc. Plants thrive in full sun so long as there is no shortage of moisture in the soil and also in shady situations beneath shrubs etc. Plants are hardy to at least -20°c, they are evergreen in warm winter areas but deciduous elsewhere. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer. Transplants well, even when quite large. Some named forms have been selected for their ornamental value.

Propagation

Spores lose viability very quickly — within 3 days — and should be sown as soon as ripe on the surface of humus-rich, sterilized soil in a lightly shaded greenhouse. Keep the compost moist, ideally by placing a plastic bag over the pot. Plants develop rapidly; pot on small clumps as soon as they are large enough to handle and keep humid until well established. Do not plant outside until ferns are at least 2 years old. Cultivars generally come true to type. The rootstock can also be divided during the dormant season, though this is strenuous work due to the dense mass of wiry roots.

Other Uses

The plant's hairs are mixed with wool and used in making cloth. The roots yield 'Osmunda fibre,' once widely used for potting orchids and other epiphytes. Plants can be used as ground cover when spaced about 1 metre apart in each direction.

Synonyms

Also Known As

Helecho real

References (8)

• Burkill, H. M., 1985, The useful plants of west tropical Africa, Vol. 5. Kew.
• Grubben, G. J. H. and Denton, O. A. (eds), 2004, Plant Resources of Tropical Africa 2. Vegetables. PROTA, Wageningen, Netherlands. p 563
• Kermath, B. M., et al, 2014, Food Plants in the Americas: A survey of the domesticated, cultivated and wild plants used for Human food in North, Central and South America and the Caribbean. On line draft. p 595
• Moerman, D. F., 2010, Native American Ethnobotany. Timber Press. p 371
• Sp. pl. 2:1063. 1753 (type species)

More from Osmundaceae

Osmunda cinnamomea

Cinnamon fern

Osmunda claytoniana

Interrupted fern, Kuthurke

Osmunda japonica

Japanese flowering fern