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Athyrium niponicum - (Mett.)Hance.

Common Name Painted Fern, Japanese Silver Painted Fern
Family Dryopteridaceae
USDA hardiness 3-8
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 places in lowland all over Japan[58].
Range E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Wet Soil Full shade Semi-shade
Athyrium niponicum Painted Fern, Japanese Silver Painted  Fern


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Syker_Fotograf
Athyrium niponicum Painted Fern, Japanese Silver Painted  Fern
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Stan_Shebs

 

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Summary

Form: Irregular or sprawling, Spreading or horizontal.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of fern
Athyrium niponicum is a FERN growing to 0.3 m (1ft) by 0.3 m (1ft in) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4.
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, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very acid soils.
It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) or semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers moist or wet soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; not Deep Shade; Bog Garden;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves
Edible Uses:

Very young fronds (croziers) - boiled[177]. Some caution is advised. See the notes above on toxicity.

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

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FOOD FOREST PLANTS

Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Alpine garden, Border, Container, Massing, Rock garden, Woodland garden. An easily grown plant, it is calcifuge and prefers an acid soil with a pH from 4.5 to 6.5, but it tolerates alkaline soils if plenty of leaf mould is added[200]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Prefers a moist sheltered site with moderately high atmospheric humidity[200]. Succeeds in a semi-shaded bog-garden or in damp woodland, also in garden borders in full or part shade[200]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[233]. Special Features: Attractive foliage.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Propagation

Spores - surface sow in a pot of sterile compost in a shady part of the greenhouse and keep moist, this is most easily done by putting the pot in a plastic bag. Pot up small clumps of the plants when they are large enough to handle and keep them moist until they are established. Plant out in late spring of the following year. Division in spring as plants come into growth. 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 :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Athyrium filix-feminaLady Fern, Common ladyfern, Subarctic ladyfern, Asplenium ladyfern, Southern Lady Fern, Tatting FerFern0.6 3-8 MLMHFSM122
Athyrium melanolepis Fern0.3 -  LMHFSMWe10 
Athyrium rubripes Fern0.1 -  LMHFSMWe10 
Athyrium squamigerum Fern0.3 -  LMHFSMWe10 
Athyrium yokoscense Fern0.3 6-9  LMHFSMWe10 

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

(Mett.)Hance.

Botanical References

58200

Links / References

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