Practical
Plants

Dryopteris filix-mas

Male Fern

a member of the Dryopteris genus in the family Dryopteridaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Height
1.2 (unit unspecified)
Spread
1 (unit unspecified)

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 for this species, a number of ferns contain carcinogens so some caution is advisable[14]. The fresh plant contains 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[7]. However, there have been reports for other species of ferns suggesting that even cooked fronds can have a long term harmful effect. Some caution is therefore advised.

Edible uses

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

Some caution is advised, see the notes on toxicity.

Plant part
Leaves
Product or use
Cooked
Plant part
Root
Product or use
Raw
Plant part
Root
Product or use
Cooked

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.

As well as the uses below, the root is also taken internally in the treatment of internal haemorrhage, uterine bleeding, mumps and feverish illnesses[21]. The root is harvested in the autumn and can be dried for later use[29]. This remedy should be used with caution and only under the supervision of a qualified practitioner[16][21]. The root is toxic and the dosage is critical[21]. Pregnant women and people with heart complaints should not be prescribed this plant[29]. See also notes above on toxicity.

Plant part
Roots
Product or use
Anodyne
Plant part
Roots
Product or use
Antibacterial
Plant part
Roots
Product or use
Antiinflammatory
Plant part
Roots
Product or use
Antiviral
Plant part
Roots
Product or use
Astringent
Plant part
Roots
Product or use
Febrifuge
Plant part
Roots
Product or use
Vermifuge
Plant part
Roots
Product or use
Vulnerary
Plant part
Roots
Product or use
Poultice

Material uses

Plant part
Leaves
Product or use
Compost
Plant part
Leaves
Product or use
Potash
Plant part
Roots
Product or use
Tannin

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Soil surface

Ground cover

An effective ground cover plant. Although it is usually deciduous, its decaying fronds make a good weed-suppressing mulch in the winter[14]. Space the plants about 60cm apart each way[15].

Ground cover

Environment

Range
Throughout Europe, including Britain, and temperate Asia.
Habitat
Damp undergrowth, woodlands and other shady positions[29][30][27].
Shade tolerance
partial shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 2+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral
Tolerances
drought
Wind
No
Maritime
No
Pollution
No
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
tolerant

Propagation

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

Spores - can be sown at any time of the year in a greenhouse. Surface sow on a sterilised compost and keep moist, possibly by placing the pot in a plastic bag. Germinates in 1 - 3 months at 20°c. Pot up small clumps of the plants when they are large enough to handle and grow on in a shady part of the greenhouse until large enough to plant out. Division in spring. Larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring.

Seed Requires Scarification
No
Seed Requires Smokification
No
Seed Requires Stratification
No

Cultivation

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

Prefers an acid to neutral soil, succeeding in ordinary fertile soil in a shady position[8][14]. Succeeds in poor soils[15]. Succeeds in full sun but grows best in a shady position with only 2 - 3 hours sun per day[14]. Tolerates a pH range from 4.5 to 7[14]. Dislikes heavy clay[1]. Prefers a good supply of water at its roots[1] but succeeds in dry shade[26] and tolerates drought when it is established[14]. A very hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to about -30°c[14], the plant remains evergreen in the milder areas of Britain[20]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[20]. An aggregate species[5]. There are many named forms, selected for their ornamental value[11].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 32202/01/01

    ↩1↩2

  2. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 32202/01/01

  3. Triska. Dr. Hamlyn Encyclopaedia of Plants. Hamlyn 32202/01/01 ISBN 0-600-33545-3

  4. Brouk. B. Plants Consumed by Man. Academic Press 32202/01/01 ISBN 0-12-136450-x

  5. Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 32202/01/01

    ↩

  6. Hill. A. F. Economic Botany. The Maple Press 32202/01/01

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

    ↩

  8. Bird. R. (Editor) Focus on Plants. Volume 5. (formerly 'Growing from seed') Thompson and Morgan. 32202/01/01

    ↩

  9. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 32202/01/01 ISBN 3874292169

  10. Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre

  11. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 32202/01/01 ISBN 0-330-30936-9

    ↩

  12. Stary. F. Poisonous Plants. Hamlyn 32202/01/01 ISBN 0-600-35666-3

  13. Riotte. L. Companion Planting for Successful Gardening. Garden Way, Vermont, USA. 32202/01/01 ISBN 0-88266-064-0

  14. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 32202/01/01 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7

  15. Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons 32202/01/01 ISBN 0-460-12609-1

    ↩1↩2

  16. Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 32202/01/01 ISBN 0-553-23827-2

    ↩

  17. Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 32202/01/01 ISBN 0-917256-20-4

  18. Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. 32202/01/01 ISBN 0395467225

  19. Rottsieper. E.H.W. Vegetable Tannins The Forestal Land, Timber and Railways Co. Ltd. 32202/01/01

  20. Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 32202/01/01 ISBN 0 460 86048 8

    ↩1↩2

  21. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 32202/01/01 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2↩3

  22. 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. 32202/01/01

  23. Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 32202/01/01 ISBN 9-780751-303148

  24. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 32202/01/01 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

  25. Stuart. M. (Editor) The Encyclopedia of Herbs and Herbalism Orbis Publishing. London. 32202/01/01 ISBN 0-85613-067-2

  26. Knight. F. P. Plants for Shade. Royal Horticultural Society. 32202/01/01 ISBN 0-900629-78-9

    ↩

  27. Brown. Shade Plants for Garden and Woodland.

    ↩

  28. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 32202/01/01 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

  29. Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 32202/01/01 ISBN 0-356-10541-5

    ↩1↩2↩3

  30. Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 32202/01/01 ISBN 0-600-37216-2

    ↩

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