Stenochlaena palustris

Stenochlaena palustris (Vietnamese: choại, Tagalog: dilimán or hagnaya) is an edible medicinal fern species. In the folk medicines of India and Malaysia, the leaves of this fern are used as remedies for fever, skin diseases, ulcers, and stomachache. This plant is a long-climbing fern with thin black scales and stems that can reach up to 20 m. It has pinnate fronds that are 30–100 cm long, petioles that are 7–20 cm long, and ovate lanceolate pinnae that are 10–15 cm long and 1.5–4.5 cm wide. The fern's sporophylls are long and narrow, and have brownish sori underneath. Acylated flavonol glycosides isolated from the fern were found to have antibacterial activities. Crude and partially purified extracts prepared from the fern have been shown to exhibit antifungal, antioxidant, and antiglucosidase activities. The district of Diliman in Quezon City, one of the Philippines' most important educational districts, is named after this fern. The species epithet palustris is Latin for "of the marsh" and indicates its common habitat.

Description

A climbing or scrambling fern with a thin smooth rhizome which climbs up sago palms and tree trunks. It can be 20 m long. The stems are brown smooth and less than 1 cm across. They are only sparingly branched. The fronds are up to 80 cm long and have leaflets. The fronds droop. The fronds have several leaflets and are often red in colour when young. Fertile fronds when they occur, are at the top and are thin.

Edible Uses

In the Malaysian state of Sarawak, the plant is called "Midin". It is a popular food among the locals. The young fronds are usually served stir-fried with garlic, dry shrimps, or Shrimp paste. (Belacan). In Sabah, it is called "Lembiding". People usually cook it with sardines or belacan. In Vietnam, the young fronds are called đọt choại and can be used in soups, salads and some stir fry dishes, especially with garlic.

Traditional Uses

The young shoots are eaten raw or cooked. They can be used in sweet and sour curries and in vegetable soups.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

The plant is used in traditional medicine. The leaves contain five flavonol glycosides (stenopalustrosides A - E) as well as a cerebroside, and several kaempferols. No alkaloids were found. The stenopalustrosides A - D showed significant activity against gram-positive bacteria.

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. It is widely distributed in areas of shrub especially in swampy coastal areas. It likes warm, waterlogged partly cleared forest sites. It is frost sensitive. In Indonesia it grows up to 500 m above sea level. In southern China it grows up to 400 m above sea level.

Where It Grows

Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, China, Fiji, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Nepal, Northeastern India, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, PNG, Philippines, Polynesia, SE Asia, Solomon Islands, Thailand, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Wallis and Futuna,

Cultivation

It is easily grown. Sections of the rhizomes or stems can be planted in wet soils.

Propagation

Spores - Division. Large divisions establish better than small ones.

Other Uses

The stems are noted for their durability when submerged in salt water, and for this reason are in great demand for tying together the bamboo frames of which fish traps are made. The stems are usually from 2 to 4 metres long. The fibre from the stems is also used for making ropes, belts and occasionally baskets, but it is inferior for the latter purpose. Plants can be used as ground cover in shady situations.

Other Information

A common fern in lowland areas and eaten in several different places in Papua New Guinea. Also eaten in other countries.

Notes

There are about 6 Stenochlaena species. They are swamp loving ferns of the tropics and subtropics. It contains 5 flavonol glycosides. It is rich in polyphenols.

Nutrition

Synonyms

Also Known As

Ajuwajuwa, Akaw paku, Aono, Barangbang, Daomalai lot, Dhekia lota, Diliman, Kalakai, Kwalo rara, Lamding, Lata dheki shak, Lembiding, Lemidi, Memiding, Midin, Miding, Midre, Nivi kakla, Nongro, Nya nave, Orare, Pakis bang, Pakis merah, Pakis rawa merambat, Paku hurang, Paku lamodeh, Paku larut, Paku mesin, Paku miding, Paku ramu, Paku udang, Phdau sva si slok, Ponolo, Rara, Rau choai, Rembidi, Rosi, Sa, Simbiaui, Sinasina, Tarong, Tunane sai, Vor thnanh, Vulavula, Waba, Wainongu, Wamidri

References (58)

• Ambasta, S.P. (Ed.), 2000, The Useful Plants of India. CSIR India. p 599
• Amoroso, V., et al, 2017, Indigenous edible ferns in southern Philippines: Utilization and conservation. China_Botanical Congress. p 3
• Amoroso, V. B., et al., 2017, Bringing back the Lost Value of Philippine EdibleFerns: Their Antioxidant, Proteins and Utilization. International Journal of Advanced research. 5(4), 757-770
• Andrews, S.B., 1990, Ferns of Queensland. A handbook to the ferns and fern allies. Queensland DPI p 106
• BARC, 2016, State of Biodiversity for Food and Agriculture in Bangladesh. Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council.

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