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Pteris ensiformis
Burm.f.
Silver Lace Fern
Pteridaceae
Pteris ensiformis is a species of fern in the family Pteridaceae. It is native to southeastern Asia and Australasia, and is widely cultivated elsewhere.
Description
Pteris ensiformis grows up to 50 cm tall. Rhizomes are either creeping or upright, 4 to 5 mm wide. Sterile fronds have a triangular outline and are 20 to 55 cm long and 5 to 15 cm wide, pinnate to bipinnate. Stalks are pale. The blade of the leaf is 10 to 25 cm long. There are 2 to 6 pairs of opposite leaflets, a few cm long; only the lower ones have short stalks. The leaflets may be divided into short lanceolate to oblanceolate subleaflets that are toothed at the tip. Fertile fronds are similar, but are longer with leaflets more spaced apart and linear (Wu et al. 2013).
Several varieties exist. In particular, var. victoriae differs by having white bands down the leaflets and subleaflets (Wu et al. 2013).
Several varieties exist. In particular, var. victoriae differs by having white bands down the leaflets and subleaflets (Wu et al. 2013).
Uses
Note: Please see the disclaimer regarding any information about medical or edible uses.
Pteris ensiformis is often grown as an ornamental, especially the cultivars 'Victoriae' and 'Evergemiensis', which have white bands on the leaflets and subleaflets (Vermeulen and Rosenfeld 1999). It prefers acidic soils (Wu et al. 2013) and shadier, moist places (Vermeulen and Rosenfeld 1999). It grows in USDA zones 8 to 11 (Morse).
The fronds of Pteris ensiformis are steamed and eaten, or used as a flavoring in traditional Taiwanese beverages. In traditional medicine, Pteris ensiformis may be used to treat fever, dysentery, and rheumatism (Wu et al. 2013).
The fronds of Pteris ensiformis are steamed and eaten, or used as a flavoring in traditional Taiwanese beverages. In traditional medicine, Pteris ensiformis may be used to treat fever, dysentery, and rheumatism (Wu et al. 2013).
Distribution
Pteris ensiformis is found in wet soils (or streamsides) in forests, at altitudes of 100 to 1000 m. It is native to Taiwan and southeastern China, the Ryukyu Islands of Japan, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Bhutan, Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar, northern India, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Australia, Fiji, and Polynesia (Wu et al. 2013).
Status
References
Morse, C. Pteris ensiformis. EEB Biodiversity Education & Research Greenhouse. http://florawww.eeb.uconn.edu/200800001.html. Vermeulen, N., and Rosenfeld, R. 1999. Encyclopedia of House Plants. Abingdon: Taylor and Francis. Wu, Z. Y., Raven, P. H., and Hong, D. Y., eds. 2013. Flora of China. Vol. 2-3 (Lycopodiaceae through Polypodiaceae). Beijing: Science Press, and St. Louis: Missouri Botanical Garden Press.
Description
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