Dryopteris sieboldii

(T. Moore) Kuntze

Japanese wood fern

Dryopteridaceae Edible: Roots - flour 35 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Dryopteris sieboldii is a species of fern in the family Dryopteridaceae, native to Japan and south-central and southeast China. It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit as an ornamental.

Description

A fern. It grows 50 cm high and spreads 50 cm wide. The fronds are large and have leaflets along the stalk. There are 5-7 leaflets. These are blue-green in colour. The leaflets are oblong or sword shaped. The edges are irregular with fine teeth. The fertile fronds are larger.

Edible Uses

The root can be dried and ground into a powder. Some caution is advised given the plant's toxicity.

Traditional Uses

A flour is made from the roots.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

None known

Distribution

A hardy fern. In China it grows between 400-900 m above sea level. It suits hardiness zones 7-10.

Where It Grows

Asia, Australia, China, Japan,

Propagation

Spores can be sown at any time of year in a greenhouse. Surface sow on sterilised compost and keep moist, for example by placing the pot in a plastic bag. Germination takes 1–3 months at 20°C. Pot up small clumps when large enough to handle and grow on in a shady part of the greenhouse until ready to plant out. Divide in spring — larger clumps can go directly into permanent positions, while smaller clumps are best potted up and grown on in a cold frame until rooting well before planting out in spring.

Other Uses

None known Special Uses

Notes

There are about 200 Dryopteris species. Also put in the family Polypodiaceae.

References (9)

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 1575 (As Nephrodium sieboldii)
Cundall, P., (ed.), 2004, Gardening Australia: flora: the gardener's bible. ABC Books. p 516
Goudey, C.J., 1988, A Handbook of Ferns for Australia and New Zealand. Lothian. p 102
Hibbert, M., 2002, The Aussie Plant Finder 2002, Florilegium. p 90
Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/

Show all 9 references

PROSEA handbook Volume 9 Plants yielding non-seed carbohydrates. p 189 (As Nephrodium sieboldii)
Revis. gen. pl. 2:813. 1891
World Checklist of Useful Plant Species 2020. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
www.eFloras.org Flora of China