Practical
Plants

Blechnum spicant

Hard Fern

an evergreen member of the Blechnum genus in the family Blechnaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Foliage
evergreen
Growth rate
slow
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[6]. 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[3].

Edible uses

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

Root - cooked. An emergency food, used when all else fails[4]. Young shoots (often called croziers) - cooked[4]. The young tender stems can be peeled and the centre portion eaten[10]. An emergency food, it is only used when all else fails[4][8]. It is also chewed to alleviate thirst on long journeys[8].

Plant part
Leaves
Plant part
Root

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

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

The leaflets have been chewed in the treatment of internal cancer, lung disorders and stomach problems[10]. The fronds are used externally as a medicine for skin sores[10]. A decoction of the root has been used in the treatment of diarrhoea[10].

Product or use
Astringent
Product or use
Cancer
Product or use
Skin
Product or use
Stomachic

Material uses

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

A good ground cover plant[7]. Relatively slow growing but succeeding in the dense shade of trees[5][6].

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Soil surface

Ground cover

Environment

Range
Most of Europe, including Britain, N. Africa, Japan, Western N. America.
Habitat
Woods, heaths, moors, mountain grassland and on rocks, to 1200 metres[2].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
permanent shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 5+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
Soil pH
very acid, acid, neutral
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

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

Spores - best sown as soon as they are ripe on the surface of a humus-rich sterilized soil. Keep the compost moist, preferably by putting a plastic bag over the pot. Pot on small clumps of plantlets as soon as they are large enough to handle and keep humid until they are well established. Overwinter for the first year in a greenhouse and plant outside in late spring or early summer. Division in spring or autumn. 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.

A calcifuge plant[2], it prefers a moist shady nook in the rock garden or a position in open woodland in a moist soil[1]. Succeeds in quite dense tree shade if the soil is moist[6]. Prefers a moist position and a northerly aspect but succeeds in sun and in clay soils[1]. A polymorphic and very ornamental species[1], there are several named varieties[6]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[9].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  2. Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

  5. Royal Horticultural Society. Ground Cover Plants. Cassells. 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-304-31089-1

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  7. Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-460-12609-1

    ↩

  8. Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books 1980-00-00 ISBN 0-449-90589-6

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩

  10. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

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