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Cystopteris bulbifera - (L.)Bernh.

Common Name Berry Bladder Fern, Bulblet bladderfern
Family Dryopteridaceae
USDA hardiness 4-8
Known Hazards Although we have found no reports of toxicity for this species, a number of ferns contain carcinogens so some caution is advisable[200]. 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[172].
Habitats Shaded ravines, cracks and ledges on cliffs, rarely terrestrial; usually on calcareous substrates from sea level to 2500 metres[43, 270].
Range Eastern N. America - Newfoundland to Manitoba, Wisconsin and Iowa, south to Georgia and Arkansas.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Full shade Semi-shade
Cystopteris bulbifera Berry Bladder Fern, Bulblet bladderfern


Robert H. Mohlenbrock @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / USDA SCS. 1989. Midwest wetland flora: Field office illustrated guide to plant species. Midwest National Technical Center, Lincoln.
Cystopteris bulbifera Berry Bladder Fern, Bulblet bladderfern

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of fern
Cystopteris bulbifera is a deciduous Fern growing to 0.2 m (0ft 8in) by 0.2 m (0ft 8in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. The seeds ripen from August to October.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) or semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; not Deep Shade; Ground Cover; North Wall. In. East Wall. In.

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Root
Edible Uses:

Root. An emergency food, it is only used when all else fails[172].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

Other Uses

A good ground cover plant[200]. Forming a slowly spreading clump, it should be planted 30cm apart each way[208].

Special Uses

Ground cover

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Prefers a shady position in a moist but well-drained soil, succeeding in most soil types[200]. Plants can tolerate up to 4 hours direct sun per day[200]. Prefers a pH between 6.5 and 7, but tolerates a range from 5.5 to 7.5[200]. Plants can be grown on old mortared walls if they are in a shady position[219]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[233]. Plants die back early in dry seasons[200]. This plant produces bulbils on the leaves, these fall off when mature and grow into new plants[200, 235]. In this way the plant can become invasive[200].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plant 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[164].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. Bulbils are produced at intervals along the midrib and these can be planted into pots as soon as they are ripe[188, 219].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: Canada (Québec, Nova Scotia, Ontario, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador), United States (Connecticut, Indiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Vermont, West Virginia, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Illinois, Wisconsin, Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, New Mexico, Texas, Arizona, Utah)

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it's worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

IUCN Red List

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Cystopteris fragilisBrittle Bladder FernFern0.2 0-0  LMHFSM112
Cystopteris montanaMountain Bladder FernFern0.3 4-8  LMHFSM10 

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Expert comment

Author

(L.)Bernh.

Botanical References

43200270

Links / References

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Subject : Cystopteris bulbifera  
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