This is an archived copy of this article, recovered after a server failure in January 2022.

Some links may be broken, and editing is disabled. We are working to bring back full functionality.

Polystichum munitum
  • Giant Holly Fern

an evergreen member of the Polystichum 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
    Unknown
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Loamy
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 4
    Zone 4
    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
Polystichum munitum has 0 edible uses listed
Polystichum munitum has 0 material uses listed
Polystichum munitum 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 - roasted[3][4][5][6]. Peeled and then baked like potatoes[7]. The roots were generally viewed by the native North American Indians mainly as a famine food for use when little else was available[8]. The roots were generally harvested in the spring, before the plant came into growth then cooked and peeled before being eaten[8].

Root

Unknown use

Material uses

The leaves are used for lining boxes, baskets, fruit drying racks etc and as a stuffing material in bedding[9][5][10].

A decoction of the rhizome treats dandruff[2].

Plants can be grown as a ground cover and are best spaced about 1 metre apart each way[11].

Unknown part

Hair care
Lining

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

An infusion of the fronds has been used as a wash or poultice to treat boils and sores[7][10].

The young shoots have been chewed and eaten as a treatment for cancer of the womb and to treat sore throats and tonsillitis[10]. The leaves have been chewed by women to facilitate childbirth[10]. The sporangia have been crushed and applied as a poultice to burns, sores and boils[7][10].

A decoction of the rhizomes has been used in the treatment of dandruff[7][10].

Unknown part

Antidandruff
Birthing aid
Poultice

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Soil surface

Ecological Functions

Ground cover

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

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.

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



Cultivation

Very hardy and easily grown in light shade in any reasonable soil[12]. Prefers a sandy humus-rich soil in a shady position that is moist even in winter[13]. Tolerates part sun for up to 6 hours a day if the soil remains moist[1]. It is possible that the var. imbricans will succeed in drier soils[K]. Prefers a pH in the range 6.5 to 7.5[1].

Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[14]. A very ornamental plant[13], it is a robust clump-forming species[12].

Remove old fronds from the plant in the spring because they may harbour fungal diseases[1].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Polystichum munitum. 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 Polystichum munitum.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Polystichum munitum
Genus
Polystichum
Family
Dryopteridaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[3][4][5][6][7][8]
Medicinal uses
[7][10]
Material uses & Functions
[9][5][10][2][11]
Botanic
[15][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
4
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
partial sun
Shade
permanent shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy
Soil Water Retention
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
    evergreen
    Herbaceous or Woody
    ?
    Life Cycle
    ?
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    1 x 0.3 meters
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    ?
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type

    "image:Polystichum munitum (Jami Dwyer) 001.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Polystichum munitum (Jami Dwyer) 001.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Polystichum munitum (Jami Dwyer) 001.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Polystichum munitum (Jami Dwyer) 001.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Polystichum munitum (Jami Dwyer) 001.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Polystichum munitum (Jami Dwyer) 001.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Polystichum munitum (Jami Dwyer) 001.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Polystichum munitum (Jami Dwyer) 001.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Polystichum munitum (Jami Dwyer) 001.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Polystichum munitum (Jami Dwyer) 001.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Polystichum munitum (Jami Dwyer) 001.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Polystichum munitum (Jami Dwyer) 001.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Polystichum munitum (Jami Dwyer) 001.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






    References

    1. ? 1.01.11.21.31.4 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 Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-20459-6 (1972-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.1 Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing (1976-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.15.25.3 Gunther. E. Ethnobotany of Western Washington. University of Washington Press ISBN 0-295-95258-X (1981-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.1 Yanovsky. E. Food Plants of the N. American Indians. Publication no. 237. U.S. Depf of Agriculture. ()
    7. ? 7.07.17.27.37.47.5 Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books ISBN 0-449-90589-6 (1980-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.18.2 Turner. N. J. Food Plants of Coastal First Peoples UBC Press. Vancouver. ISBN 0-7748-0533-1 (1995-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.1 Turner. N. J. Plants in British Columbian Indian Technology. British Columbia Provincial Museum ISBN 0-7718-8117-7 (1979-00-00)
    10. ? 10.010.110.210.310.410.510.610.7 Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-453-9 (1998-00-00)
    11. ? 11.011.1 Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons ISBN 0-460-12609-1 (1990-00-00)
    12. ? 12.012.1 Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books ISBN 0-330-30936-9 (1991-00-00)
    13. ? 13.013.1 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    14. ? Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. ISBN 0 460 86048 8 (1990-00-00)
    15. ? Hitchcock. C. L. Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest. University of Washington Press (1955-00-00)

    "image:Polystichum munitum (Jami Dwyer) 001.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    Retrieved from "https://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Polystichum_munitum&oldid=79625"
    Facts about "Polystichum munitum"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyDryopteridaceae +
    Belongs to genusPolystichum +
    Functions asGround cover +
    Has binomial namePolystichum munitum +
    Has common nameGiant Holly Fern +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partRoot +
    Has edible useUnknown use +
    Has hardiness zone4 +
    Has imagePolystichum munitum (Jami Dwyer) 001.jpg +
    Has material partUnknown part +
    Has material useHair care + and Lining +
    Has mature height1 +
    Has mature width0.3 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAntidandruff +, Birthing aid + and Poultice +
    Has primary imagePolystichum munitum (Jami Dwyer) 001.jpg +
    Has search namepolystichum munitum + and giant holly fern +
    Has shade tolerancePermanent shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil texture preferenceSandy + and Loamy +
    Has sun preferencePartial sun +
    Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
    Has taxonomy namePolystichum munitum +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Inhabits ecosystem nicheSoil surface +
    Is deciduous or evergreenEvergreen +
    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.Polystichum munitum +, Polystichum munitum +, Polystichum munitum +, Polystichum munitum +, Polystichum munitum + and Polystichum munitum +