Dryopteridaceae FAMILY

Cystopteris fragilis

Edibility

1/5

Medicinal

2/5

Safety & Hazards

Although we have found no reports of toxicity for this species, a number of ferns contain carcinogens so some caution is advisable[ 200 Title The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. Publication Author Huxley. A. Publisher MacMillan Press Year 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5 Description Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed. ]. 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[ 172 Title Discovering Wild Plants - Alaska, W. Canada and the Northwest. Publication Author Schofield. J. J. Publisher Alaska Northwest Books; Alaska Year 2003 ISBN 0882403699 Description A nice guide to some useful plants in that area. ].

Botanical Description

Cystopteris fragilis is a deciduous fern with creeping stems; it forms a slowly spreading clump usually around 15 - 25cm tall and 20cm or more wide. The plant is sometimes harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine or an emergency food. It is grown as an ornamental, where it can be used as a ground cover in shady places.

Habitat & Origin

Origintemperate

Native RangeA cosmopolitan species, found in most areas of the world, including Britain, but only at higher elevations in Tropics.

HabitatMostly on cliff faces, also in thin soil over rock; at elevations from near sea level to 4,500 metres[ 270 Title Flora of N. America Publication Author Website http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/fna/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An on-line version of the flora with an excellent description of the plant including a brief mention of plant uses. ]. Rocky woods, shady rocks and walls, especially on basic rocks, to 1,200 metres[ 17 Title Flora of the British Isles. Publication Author Clapham, Tutin and Warburg. Publisher Cambridge University Press Year 1962 ISBN - Description A very comprehensive flora, the standard reference book but it has no pictures. ].