Practical
Plants

Athyrium niponicum

Painted Fern

a member of the Athyrium genus in the family Polypodiaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Height
0.3 m
Spread
0.3 m

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Although we have found no reports of toxicity for this species, a number of ferns contain carcinogens so some caution is advisable[3]. 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[1].

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Very young fronds (croziers) - boiled[2]. Some caution is advised. See the notes above on toxicity.

Plant part
Leaves

Environment

Range
E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea.
Habitat
Shaded places in lowland all over Japan[5].
Light
partial sun
Shade tolerance
permanent shade
Water
high
Hardiness
Zone 4+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
Soil pH
very acid, acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Spores - surface sow in a pot of sterile compost in a shady part of the greenhouse and keep moist, this is most easily done by putting the pot in a plastic bag. Pot up small clumps of the plants when they are large enough to handle and keep them moist until they are established. Plant out in late spring of the following year. Division in spring as plants come into growth. Larger divisions can be planted straight into their permanent positions whilst smaller clumps are best potted up and kept in a cold frame until they are growing away well.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

An easily grown plant, it is calcifuge and prefers an acid soil with a pH from 4.5 to 6.5, but it tolerates alkaline soils if plenty of leaf mould is added[3]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Prefers a moist sheltered site with moderately high atmospheric humidity[3]. Succeeds in a semi-shaded bog-garden or in damp woodland, also in garden borders in full or part shade[3]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[4].

References

  1. Schofield. J. J. Discovering Wild Plants - Alaska, W. Canada and the Northwest.

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  2. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

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  3. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  4. Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8

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  5. Ohwi. G. Flora of Japan. (English translation) Smithsonian Institution 1965-00-00

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