Polypodiaceae FAMILY

Adiantum venustum

Edibility

0/5

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

Adiantum venustum is a deciduous fern producing a cluster of fronds 25 - 50cm tall from a thick, decumbent rhizome[ 266 Title Flora of China Publication Author Website http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/ Publisher Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis. Year 1994 ISBN Description An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available. ].c1 The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine. Very ornamental, it is sometimes cultivated in the garden and can be used as a ground cover.

Habitat & Origin

Origintemperate

Native RangeE. Asia - western China, northern India, Nepal, Bhutan, northern Myanmar.

HabitatRock crevices and on forest slopes, at elevations from 1,700 - 2,200 metres in Kashmir[ 145 Title Forest Flora of Srinagar. Publication Author Singh. Dr. G. and Kachroo. Prof. Dr. P. Publisher Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh Year 1976 ISBN - Description A good flora of the western Himalayas but poorly illustrated. Some information on plant uses. ]. Moist, shady, rocky places in Nepal at elevations of 300 - 3,600 metres[ 272 Title Plants and People of Nepal Publication Author Manandhar. N. P. Publisher Timber Press. Oregon. Year 2002 ISBN 0-88192-527-6 Description Excellent book, covering over 1,500 species of useful plants from Nepal together with information on the geography and peoples of Nepal. Good descriptions of the plants with terse notes on their uses. ].