Blechnaceae FAMILY

Stenochlaena palustris

Edibility

3/5

Medicinal

1/5

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

Stenochlaena palustris is a coarse, climbing fern of indefinite length. The rhizomes can attach themselves to the trunks of trees by means of adhesive roots[ 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 stems are brown, smooth, somewhat less than 1 centimetre in diameter and sparingly branched. The sterile fronds are up to 80 centimetres in length, the fertile fronds somewhat shorter[ 345 Title Minor Products of Philippine Forests Publication Author Brown. W. H. Publisher Bureau of Forestry, Manilla. Year 1920 ISBN Description A useful guide to some of the plants of the area, though terse on details. The book is out of copyright and can be legally downloaded from the Internet. ]. An important tying material and fibre plant for local use - the stems are sold in quantity in local markets[ 345 Title Minor Products of Philippine Forests Publication Author Brown. W. H. Publisher Bureau of Forestry, Manilla. Year 1920 ISBN Description A useful guide to some of the plants of the area, though terse on details. The book is out of copyright and can be legally downloaded from the Internet. ].

Habitat & Origin

Origintropical

Native RangeE. Asia - India, southern China, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines, Australia to the Pacific Islands.

HabitatOpen places and secondary forest at elevations from near sea level to 400 metres in China[ 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. ]. Widely distributed in thickets, usually in swampy places near the sea[ 345 Title Minor Products of Philippine Forests Publication Author Brown. W. H. Publisher Bureau of Forestry, Manilla. Year 1920 ISBN Description A useful guide to some of the plants of the area, though terse on details. The book is out of copyright and can be legally downloaded from the Internet. ].