Lygodium flexuosum

Lygodium flexuosum, also known as the flexuose climbing fern, is a rhizomatous perennial climbing fern native to tropical and subtropical Asia and northern Australia. It produces thin, wiry fronds that twine and climb, arising from horizontal rhizomes and stolons on or beneath the ground. The pinnae are oppositely arranged, triangular in shape, with fertile pinnae margins forming finger-like projections that bear sporangia for spore production. Unlike flowering plants, this species reproduces by spores and often forms dense vine growth in wet tropical habitats.

Description

A large fern. It has a short creeping rhizome. It is a climber. It grows 2 m tall. There are 2 kinds of leaves, Sterile leaves are narrow to sword shaped. The fertile leaflets are smaller and have frills around the edge.

Edible Uses

The leaves and fronds are eaten as a vegetable. The roots are dried, powdered, and used as a flavoring in local fermented drinks.

Traditional Uses

The leaves are eaten as a vegetable. The roots are dried, powdered and used to flavour local fermented drinks.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

The roots are used to flavor traditional fermented drinks.

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. In India it grows up to 1,500 m above sea level. It grows on the edge of the rainforest.

Where It Grows

Asia, Australia, Cambodia, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Laos, Nepal, SE Asia, Thailand,

Cultivation

The roots can be planted in a shady position, allowing the plant to climb up into the sun. Prefers a neutral to slightly acid soil.

Propagation

Spores. Division. Serpentine layering. An actively growing frond is pinned down onto the soil surface at each node, where it may root and shoot out as a new plant.

Other Uses

The stem is used for tying rice sheaves. Splints prepared from the stems are used in the manufacture of baskets, hats, and fancy boxes. The splints can be combined with buri (Corypha spp.) or some other fibre to make various fancy articles such as cigarette cases or pocketbooks. The effect is very pleasing, particularly when the plant stem is black.

Notes

Also put in the family Schizaeaceae.

Also Known As

Janai laharo, Kalitulia, Lahare unyu, Namjam rehet, Parandi sag, Parewapoti, Phak kud noy, Thu-kaing-khu-du

References (9)

• Anderson, E. F., 1993, Plants and people of the Golden Triangle. Dioscorides Press. p 214
• Dangol, D. R., 2002, Economic uses of forest plant resources in western Chitwan, Nepal. Banko Janakari, 12(2): 56-64
• Dangol, D. R. et al, 2017, Wild Edible Plants in Nepal. Proceedings of 2nd National Workshop on CUAOGR, 2017.
• Kachenchart, B., et al, 2008, Phenology of Edible Plants at Sakaerat Forest. In Proceedings of the FORTROP II: Tropical Forestry Change in a Changing World. Bangkok, Thailand.
• Kuhnlein, H. V., et al, 2009, Indigenous Peoples' food systems. FAO Rome p 171

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