Fragrant Woodfern (Dryopteris fragrans)

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.

Although we have found no reports for this species, a number of ferns contain carcinogens so some caution is advisable^[5]. 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^[2]. 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.

The leaves are made into a tea^[3]^[4].

Product or use: Tea

The plant has been used as a bedding^[7].

Product or use: Bedding

Environment

Range

N. Europe. N. Asia. N. America.

Habitat

Rocks and screes in Arctic Finland^[9]. Shaded cliffs and talus, often of limestone at elevations of 50 -1800 metres in northern N. America^[8].

Shade tolerance

partial shade

Water

moderate

Hardiness

Zone 3+

Soil textures

sandy, loamy, clay

Soil pH

acid, neutral

Tolerances

drought

Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil

Drought

tolerant

Propagation

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.

Cultivation

Prefers an acid soil^[5], requiring a well-drained gritty soil in a sunny or shady position^[5]. Dislikes heavy clay. Prefers a good supply of water at its roots but succeeds in dry shade and tolerates drought when it is established. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer^[6]. A very ornamental plant^[1].

References

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

↩

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

↩

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

↩

Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

↩

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

↩1 ↩2 ↩3

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