Schizaeaceae FAMILY

Lygodium circinnatum

Edibility

2/5

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

Lygodium circinnatum is an evergreen, scrambling, climbing fern with a short, creeping rhizome[ 437 Title Fern Databank, Sahah. Publication Author Website http://www.forest.sabah.gov.my Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description Information on the ferns growing at Sabah in Indonesia. A description, habitat and plant uses are givem, often accompanied by a photo. ]. All species of the genus have an elongated climbing rachis (leaf stem) that has the capacity for indefinite growth, often reaching lengths of several metres. It twines around other plants for support, often climbing up from the shade into a sunny position[ 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. ]. The plant is gathered from the wild for use as food and medicine. The stems are used as tying material and are very popular for making traditional baskets that are sold in markets, especially to tourists. The plant is also grown as an ornamental, being valued especially for its ability to quickly cover unsightly structures and providing shade for other plants[ 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. ].

Habitat & Origin

Origintropical

Native RangeE. Asia - India, Sri Lanka, China, throughout southeast Asia to the Pacific Islands.

HabitatLight shade in evergreen forests[ 437 Title Fern Databank, Sahah. Publication Author Website http://www.forest.sabah.gov.my Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description Information on the ferns growing at Sabah in Indonesia. A description, habitat and plant uses are givem, often accompanied by a photo. ]. Found in wet soils and never in places where the soil becomes seasonally dry[ 437 Title Fern Databank, Sahah. Publication Author Website http://www.forest.sabah.gov.my Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description Information on the ferns growing at Sabah in Indonesia. A description, habitat and plant uses are givem, often accompanied by a photo. ].