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Nephrolepis brownii
(Desv.) Hovenkamp & Miyam.
Asian Sword Fern
Nephrolepidaceae
Nephrolepis brownii is a species of fern in the family Nephrolepidaceae. It is widespread in Asia and Oceania, and has also become naturalized and invasive in other parts of the world.
Description
Nephrolepis brownii has rhizomes that produce long, dark brown stolons. They are covered in lanceolate scales that are brownish in color and fringed. Fronds are pinnately compound, elliptic to lanceolate in outline, and 30 to 70 cm long and 9 to 15 cm wide on a 15 to 45 cm long, gray-brown stipe. The frond has linear scales on the upper surface and brown, fibrous scales and hairs, as well as a groove on the stipe, on the upper side. Each side has about 20 to 50 pairs of leaflets; the leaflets are triangular, 4 to 8 cm long and 1 to 1.3 cm wide for middle leaflets, with a wide, uneven base and round teeth. Sori are borne about 2 mm apart, round, while indusia are roughly round to kidney-shaped and reddish (Wu et al. 2013).
Uses
Note: Please see the disclaimer regarding any information about medical or edible uses.
The leaves and roots of this species, boiled in water, can be used to treat urine retention (Balick & Arvigo 2015).
Distribution
Nephrolepis brownii grows in forests, at an altitude of 200 to 1200 m. It is native to Japan (including the Ryukyu Islands), southeastern China, Taiwan, southwestern Asia, India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Philippines, Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Australia, and various Pacific Islands (Wu et al. 2013). It has been introduced in North, Central, and South America, and is considered invasive in many of those areas (Quiroz 2015).
Status
References
Balick, M. J., and Arvigo, R. 2015. <i>Messages from the Gods: a Guide to the Useful Plants of Belize</i>. New York: Oxford University Press.<br><br>Quiroz, D. 2015. Nephrolepis brownii (Asian swordfern). <i>Invasive Species Compendium</i>. <a>www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/115772</a><br><br>Wu, Z. Y., Raven, P. H., and Hong, D. Y., eds. 2013. <i>Flora of China. Vol. 2-3 (Lycopodiaceae through Polypodiaceae)</i>. Beijing: Science Press, and St. Louis: Missouri Botanical Garden Press.
Description
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