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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Botrychium virginianum is an evergreen Fern growing to 0.4 m (1ft 4in). It is in leaf all year.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Root
Edible Uses:

This large succulent fern is boiled and eaten in the Himalayas[2]. The report does not say which part of the plant is used, though it is probably the root[K].

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.
Diaphoretic Emetic Expectorant Pectoral Poultice

A poultice or lotion made from the roots is applied to snakebites, bruises, cuts and sores[222, 257]. A tea made from the roots is emetic, induces sweating and is expectorant[222]. It is used in the treatment of lung ailments[222, 257].

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Prefers a sandy loam with just a small portion of peat[1]. Requires sharp drainage[1]. Best grown in an open position[1]. Plants can be difficult to establish. The prothalli (young plants formed when the spores germinate) of this plant form a symbiotic relationship with a mycorrhizal fungus, similar to the association of orchid seedlings with an invading fungus[200]. Unlike most species of ferns, the fronds of this species grow up straight and not curled inward, crozier fashion[4]. 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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Plant Propagation

Spores - best surface sown as soon as they are ripe in a greenhouse and do not allow the compost to dry out. Placing the pot in a plastic bag helps to maintain a humid atmosphere which promotes germination and growth. Prick out small clumps into pots when they are large enough to handle and keep moist until established. Grow on in a greenhouse for at least the first winter and plant out in late spring. Division. It is best not to try and disturb this plant[200].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Russian Federation (Taymyr), Russian Federation (Koryak, Cukotskij avtonomnyj okrug), Japan NORTHERN AMERICA: Canada (Northwest Territories, Yukon, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Québec, Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan), Mexico (Chihuahua, Durango, Nuevo León, San Luis Potosí, Sonora, Tamaulipas, Chiapas, Ciudad de México, Colima, Guanajuato, Guerrero, Hidalgo, Jalisco, México, Michoacán de Ocampo, Morelos, Nayarit, Oaxaca, Puebla, Querétaro, Tlaxcala, Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave), United States (all States except California) SOUTHERN AMERICA: Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru EUROPE: Finland, Sweden, Austria, Switzerland, Hungary, Poland, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Russian Federation (Karelia, Neneckij avtonomnyj okrug), Ukraine, Italy, Romania, Slovenia

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 itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal
Botrychium australe	Parsley Fern	Fern	0.5	-	LM	SN	M	1	0
Botrychium lunaria	Common Moonwort	Fern	0.1	-	LMH	SN	DM	0	2
Botrychium ternatum		Fern	0.3	-	LM	SN	M	2	2

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.

Botrychium virginianum - (L.)Sw.