Athyrium felix-femina Lady fern (Polypodiaceae) Deciduous fern

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Athyrium felix-femina
Lady fern
Deciduous fern
(1 Page of 5)

The Athyrium felix-femina plant species is found in Britain. It is a member of the Polypodiaceae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as Lady fern. Some home gardeners know the variety as Asplenium felix-femina

Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

Latin Name:  Athyrium felix-femina
Common Name:  Lady fern
Family:  Polypodiaceae
Author:  (L.)Roth.

Known Hazards:  The fresh shoots 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]. Although we have found no reports for this species, a number of ferns also contain carcinogens so some caution is advisable[200].

Mature Height:  0.6   Mature Width:  0.5

Habitat:  Moist sheltered woods, hedgebanks and ravines[4], usually on acidic soils but also found in drier and more open habitats[187].

Edible Uses: Young shoots, harvested before they have fully unfolded, can be eaten cooked[256]. They must not be eaten raw - see the notes above on toxicity[172]. Used in spring, they are a bitter emergency food[172]. Rhizome - peeled and slow-baked[118, 257]. Reports that the root of this plant were eaten by native North American Indians are likely to be mistaken, it was probably Dryopteris expansa that was used[256].

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Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

The information above has been supplied solely via the hard work and dedication of the team at 'Plants for a Future'.
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