Polystichum munitum
Giant Holly Fern
an evergreen member of the Polystichum genus in the family Dryopteridaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Dryopteridaceae
- Genus
- Polystichum
- Foliage
- evergreen
- Height
- 1 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[8]. 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[5].
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Root - roasted[7][2][3][4]. Peeled and then baked like potatoes[10]. The roots were generally viewed by the native North American Indians mainly as a famine food for use when little else was available[12]. The roots were generally harvested in the spring, before the plant came into growth then cooked and peeled before being eaten[12].
- 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.
An infusion of the fronds has been used as a wash or poultice to treat boils and sores[10][13]. The young shoots have been chewed and eaten as a treatment for cancer of the womb and to treat sore throats and tonsillitis[13]. The leaves have been chewed by women to facilitate childbirth[13]. The sporangia have been crushed and applied as a poultice to burns, sores and boils[10][13]. A decoction of the rhizomes has been used in the treatment of dandruff[10][13].
- Product or use
- Antidandruff
- Product or use
- Birthing aid
- Product or use
- Poultice
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The leaves are used for lining boxes, baskets, fruit drying racks etc and as a stuffing material in bedding[15][3][13]. A decoction of the rhizome treats dandruff[5]. Plants can be grown as a ground cover and are best spaced about 1 metre apart each way[9].
- Product or use
- Hair care
- Product or use
- Lining
Ecology and functions
- Ecosystem niche
- Soil surface
Environment
- Range
- Western N. America - Alaska to California.
- Habitat
- There are two distinct varieties, var. munitum grows in moist coniferous woods, var. imbricans grows in rock crevices and rocky soils in dry coniferous soils[14]. Forms extensive colonies[6].
- 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
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
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.
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Very hardy and easily grown in light shade in any reasonable soil[6]. 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[8]. It is possible that the var. imbricans will succeed in drier soils[K]. Prefers a pH in the range 6.5 to 7.5[8]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[11]. A very ornamental plant[1], it is a robust clump-forming species[6]. Remove old fronds from the plant in the spring because they may harbour fungal diseases[8].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00
Gunther. E. Ethnobotany of Western Washington. University of Washington Press 1981-00-00 ISBN 0-295-95258-X
Yanovsky. E. Food Plants of the N. American Indians. Publication no. 237. U.S. Depf of Agriculture.
Schofield. J. J. Discovering Wild Plants - Alaska, W. Canada and the Northwest.
Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30936-9
Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-460-12609-1
Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books 1980-00-00 ISBN 0-449-90589-6
Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8
Turner. N. J. Food Plants of Coastal First Peoples UBC Press. Vancouver. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7748-0533-1
Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9
Hitchcock. C. L. Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest. University of Washington Press 1955-00-00
Turner. N. J. Plants in British Columbian Indian Technology. British Columbia Provincial Museum 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-7718-8117-7