Practical
Plants

Polystichum acrostichoides

Christmas Fern

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Foliage
evergreen
Height
0.6 m
Spread
0.45 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.

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[3].

Edible uses

Young fronds[2][8]. No more details are given, but they are probably harvested as they unfurl and eaten cooked.

Plant part
Leaves

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.

Christmas fern was employed medicinally by several native North American Indian tribes, who used it to treat a variety of complaints[8]. It is little, if at all, used in modern herbalism. A tea made from the root is blood purifier, emetic and febrifuge[6][8]. It is used in the treatment of chills, fevers, pneumonia, stomach or bowel complaints and rheumatism[6][8]. A poultice of the root is used in the treatment of rheumatism[6]. A decoction of the root has been massaged into rheumatic joints[8]. The powdered root has been inhaled and then coughed up in order to restore the voice[8].

Product or use
Antiaphonic
Product or use
Emetic
Product or use
Poultice

Environment

Range
Eastern N. America - Nova Scotia to Wisconsin, south to Florida, Texas and Mexico.
Habitat
Wet woods and rocky slopes[10][2]. Forest floor and shady, rocky slopes from sea level to 1500 metres[9].
Light
partial sun
Shade tolerance
permanent shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 4+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

Spores - best sown as soon as they are ripe, though they can also be sown in the spring. Sow them 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. Do not plant outside until the ferns are at least 2 years old and then only in a very well sheltered position. Division. This is best done in the spring[4].

Cultivation

Prefers a sandy humus-rich soil in a shady position that is moist even in winter[1]. Tolerates part sun for up to 6 hours a day if the soil remains moist[5]. Prefers a pH in the range 6.5 to 7.5[5]. A very ornamental plant, it is hardy in all parts of Britain but is best grown in a greenhouse[1]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[7]. Remove old fronds from the plant in the spring because they may harbour fungal diseases[5].

References

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

    ↩1↩2

  2. McPherson. A. and S. Wild Food Plants of Indiana. Indiana University Press 1977-00-00 ISBN 0-253-28925-4

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩

  4. Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  6. Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0395467225

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  9. Flora of N. America http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/fna/

    ↩

  10. Fernald. M. L. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co. 1950-00-00

    ↩

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