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Herbs & Plants

Dryopteris odontoloma

Botanical Name: Dryopteris odontoloma
Family: Dryopteridaceae
Subfamily: Dryopteridoideae
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Division: Polypodiophyta
Class: Polypodiopsida
Order: Polypodiales
Suborder: Polypodiineae
Genus: Dryopteris

Synonyms : Dryopteris odontoloma

Common Name: Wood ferns, Male ferns (referring in particular to Dryopteris filix-mas), or Buckler ferns

Habitat: Dryopteris odontoloma is native to E. Asia – Himalayas at elevations to 3000 metres in the Kashmir valley. It grows on Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge.

Description:
Dryopteris odontoloma is a fern. Pinnules and segments serrately lobed, barely spinulose; rachis with hair-like scales; petioles less than 1/4 the length of the leaves. Flower characteristics: Fruit characteristics: Sori round, protected by a reniform indusium, appear in a single series on each side of segment midrib..
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers moist soil and can tolerate drought.

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Cultivation:
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers moist soil and can tolerate drought. Prefers an acid to neutral soil, succeeding in ordinary fertile soil in a shady position. Prefers a moist soil, but plants are drought tolerant when established. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer.

Propagation:
Threough spores – can be sown at any time of the year in a greenhouse. Surface sow on a sterilised compost and keep moist, possibly by placing the pot in a plastic bag. Germinates in 1 – 3 months at 20°c. Pot up small clumps of the plants when they are large enough to handle and grow on in a shady part of the greenhouse until large enough to plant out. Division in spring. Larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring.

Medicinal Uses:
The root contains 2.3% ‘filicin’, a substance that paralyses tapeworms and other internal parasites and has been used as a worm expellent. It is one of the most effective treatments known for tapeworms – its use should be immediately followed by a non-oily purgative such as magnesium sulphate in order to expel the worms from the body. An oily purge, such as caster oil, increases the absorption of the fern root and can be dangerous. The root is harvested in the autumn and can be dried for later use, it should not be stored for longer than 12 months. This remedy should be used with caution and only under the supervision of a qualified practitioner. The root is toxic and the dosage is critical.

Known Hazards: Although we have found no reports for this species, a number of ferns contain carcinogens so some caution is advisable. The fresh plant contains 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. However, there have been reports for other species of ferns suggesting that even cooked fronds can have a long term harmful effect. Some caution is therefore advised.

Disclaimer : The information presented herein is intended for educational purposes only. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplement, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.

Resources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dryopteris
https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Dryopteris+odontoloma

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