Pteridaceae FAMILY

Adiantum lunulatum

Edibility

0/5

Medicinal

0/5

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 lunulatum is an evergreen, perennial fern producing fronds up to 40cm tall from a shortly-creeping rhizome. The fronds are arching to semi-prostrate, forming roots at their apex from which a new plant develops[ 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 sometimes harvested from the wild for local medicinal use. It is also grown as an ornamental in gardens.

Habitat & Origin

Origintropical

Native RangeWidely distributed in the tropics through Africa, Asia, Australia, Central America and northern S. America.

HabitatShady hill forests in India[ 497 Title The Botany of Bihar and Orissa Publication Author Haines H.H. Website http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org Publisher Adlard & Son & West Newman Ltd. London Year 1922 ISBN Description A flora, it gives many plant uses. The book can be downloaded from the Internet. ]. In forests, thickets, or wooded ravines, most commonly in rocky soil, on banks of streams and rivers, at elevations from 200 - 1,500 metres in Guatemala[ 489 Title Ferns and Fern Allies of Guatemala Publication Author Website http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org Publisher Field Museum of Natural History Year 1981 ISBN Description A flora of the ferns of Guatemala, giving some plant uses. It can be downloaded from the Internet. ].