Practical
Plants

Cystopteris fragilis

Brittle Bladder Fern

a deciduous member of the Cystopteris genus in the family Dryopteridaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Foliage
deciduous
Height
0.15 m
Spread
0.23 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[5]. 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[4].

Edible uses

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

Root. An emergency food, it is only used when all else fails[4].

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.

A decoction of the roots has been used as an anthelmintic enema[9]. A cold compound infusion of the plant has been used both internally and externally as a treatment for injury[10].

Product or use
Anthelmintic

Material uses

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

Plants can be grown as a ground cover when planted out about 15cm apart each way[6].

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Soil surface

Environment

Range
Cosmopolitan, found in most areas of the world, including Britain, but only on mountains in Tropics.
Habitat
Rocky woods, shady rocks and walls, especially on basic rocks, to 1200 metres[3].
Light
partial sun
Shade tolerance
permanent shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 2+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
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 - best sown as soon as ripe on the surface of a humus-rich sterilized soil. Keep the compost moist, preferably by putting a plastic bag over the pot. Germinates in 1 - 3 months at 20°c[2].Pot on small clumps of plantlets as soon as they are large enough to handle and keep humid until they are well established. Do not plant outside until the ferns are at least 2 years old. Division in spring.

Cultivation

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

Prefers a shady position in a moist but well-drained soil, succeeding in most soil types[5]. Plants can tolerate up to 4 hours direct sun per day[5]. Prefers a pH between 6.5 and 7, but tolerates a range from 5.5 to 7.5[5]. Plants do especially well when grown in a shaded position on old mortared walls[7]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[8]. Plants die back early in dry seasons[5]. A very ornamental plant[1].

References

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

    ↩

  2. Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 4. Thompson and Morgan. 1990-00-00

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

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

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

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

    ↩

  7. Grey-Wilson. C. & Matthews. V. Gardening on Walls Collins 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-00-219220-0

    ↩

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

    ↩

  9. Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986-00-00

    ↩

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

    ↩

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