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Cystopteris fragilis
  • Brittle Bladder Fern

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

248px
Niche
  • Soil surface
    Soil surface
    There are no details available for this niche.
Functions
  • Ground cover
    Ground cover
    There are no details available for this function.
Light
  • Partial sun
    Partial sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • permanent shade
    Permanent shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Acid to Alkaline
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 2
    Zone 2
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Cystopteris fragilis has 0 edible uses listed
Cystopteris fragilis has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Toxic parts

Although we have found no reports of toxicity for this species, a number of ferns contain carcinogens so some caution is advisable[1]. 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[2].

Edible uses

Notes

Root. An emergency food, it is only used when all else fails[2].

Root

Unknown use

Material uses

Plants can be grown as a ground cover when planted out about 15cm apart each way[3].
There are no material uses listed for Cystopteris fragilis.

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

A decoction of the roots has been used as an anthelmintic enema[4]. A cold compound infusion of the plant has been used both internally and externally as a treatment for injury[5].

Unknown part

Anthelmintic

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Soil surface

Ecological Functions

Ground cover

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

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[6].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.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Cystopteris fragilis. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Prefers a shady position in a moist but well-drained soil, succeeding in most soil types[1]. Plants can tolerate up to 4 hours direct sun per day[1]. Prefers a pH between 6.5 and 7, but tolerates a range from 5.5 to 7.5[1]. 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[1].

A very ornamental plant[9].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Cystopteris fragilis. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Cystopteris fragilis.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Cystopteris fragilis
Genus
Cystopteris
Family
Dryopteridaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[2]
Medicinal uses
[4][5]
Material uses & Functions
[3]
Botanic
[10][1]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Ground cover
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
2
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
partial sun
Shade
permanent shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil Water Retention
well drained
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    Soil surface
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    deciduous
    Herbaceous or Woody
    ?
    Life Cycle
    ?
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    0.15 x 0.23 meters
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    ?
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type

    "image:Cystopteris fragilis 4.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Cystopteris fragilis 4.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Cystopteris fragilis 4.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Cystopteris fragilis 4.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Cystopteris fragilis 4.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Cystopteris fragilis 4.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Cystopteris fragilis 4.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Cystopteris fragilis 4.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Cystopteris fragilis 4.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Cystopteris fragilis 4.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Cystopteris fragilis 4.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Cystopteris fragilis 4.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Cystopteris fragilis 4.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Cystopteris fragilis 4.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Cystopteris fragilis 4.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






    References

    1. ? 1.01.11.21.31.41.5 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.12.2 Schofield. J. J. Discovering Wild Plants - Alaska, W. Canada and the Northwest. ()
    3. ? 3.03.1 Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons ISBN 0-460-12609-1 (1990-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.1 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)
    5. ? 5.05.1 Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-453-9 (1998-00-00)
    6. ? Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 4. Thompson and Morgan. (1990-00-00)
    7. ? Grey-Wilson. C. & Matthews. V. Gardening on Walls Collins ISBN 0-00-219220-0 (1983-00-00)
    8. ? Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. ISBN 0 460 86048 8 (1990-00-00)
    9. ? F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    10. ? Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press (1962-00-00)

    "image:Cystopteris fragilis 4.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    Retrieved from "https://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Cystopteris_fragilis&oldid=76768"
    Facts about "Cystopteris fragilis"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyDryopteridaceae +
    Belongs to genusCystopteris +
    Functions asGround cover +
    Has binomial nameCystopteris fragilis +
    Has common nameBrittle Bladder Fern +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partRoot +
    Has edible useUnknown use +
    Has hardiness zone2 +
    Has imageCystopteris fragilis 4.jpg +
    Has mature height0.15 +
    Has mature width0.23 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAnthelmintic +
    Has primary imageCystopteris fragilis 4.jpg +
    Has search namecystopteris fragilis + and brittle bladder fern +
    Has shade tolerancePermanent shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil texture preferenceSandy +, Loamy + and Clay +
    Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
    Has sun preferencePartial sun +
    Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
    Has taxonomy nameCystopteris fragilis +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Inhabits ecosystem nicheSoil surface +
    Is deciduous or evergreenDeciduous +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    PFAF cultivation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF edible use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF material use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF medicinal use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF propagation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF toxicity notes migratedNo +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +
    Has subobjectThis property is a special property in this wiki.Cystopteris fragilis + and Cystopteris fragilis +