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Summary
Physical Characteristics
Blechnum spicant is an evergreen Fern growing to 0.3 m (1ft) by 0.3 m (1ft in) at a slow rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in leaf all year, and the seeds ripen from June to August.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils and can grow in very acid soils.
It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
Lomaria spicant.
Habitats
Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; not Deep Shade; Ground Cover;
Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Leaves Root Shoots
Edible Uses:
Root - cooked. An emergency food, used when all else fails[177]. Young shoots (often called croziers) - cooked[177]. The young tender stems can be peeled and the centre portion eaten[257]. An emergency food, it is only used when all else fails[177, 213]. It is also chewed to alleviate thirst on long journeys[213].
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.
Astringent Cancer Skin Stomachic
The leaflets have been chewed in the treatment of internal cancer, lung disorders and stomach problems[257]. The fronds are used externally as a medicine for skin sores[257]. A decoction of the root has been used in the treatment of diarrhoea[257].
References More on Medicinal Uses
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Other Uses
A good ground cover plant[208]. Relatively slow growing but succeeding in the dense shade of trees[197, 200].
Special Uses
Ground cover
References More on Other Uses
Cultivation details
A calcifuge plant[17], it prefers a moist shady nook in the rock garden or a position in open woodland in a moist soil[1]. Succeeds in quite dense tree shade if the soil is moist[200]. Prefers a moist position and a northerly aspect but succeeds in sun and in clay soils[1]. A polymorphic and very ornamental species[1], there are several named varieties[200]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[233].
References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information
Temperature Converter
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The PFAF Bookshop
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Propagation
Spores - best sown as soon as they are ripe 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. Overwinter for the first year in a greenhouse and plant outside in late spring or early summer. Division in spring or autumn. Larger divisions can be planted straight into their permanent positions whilst smaller clumps are best potted up and kept in a cold frame until they are growing away well.
Other Names
If available other names are mentioned here
Native Plant Search
Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search
Found In
Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available
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 :
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.
Expert comment
Author
(L.)Roth.
Botanical References
17200
Links / References
For a list of references used on this page please go here
Readers comment
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