Scientific name of Wood fern: Drynaria quercifolia
Name of Wood fern in different languages:-
English: Basket ferns, Oak-leaf fern
Hindi: Asvakatri, Katikapan
Malayalam: Pannal- പന്നൽ, Matilpanna- മതിൽപ്പന്ന, Pannikizangu, Annan pacha-അണ്ണാൻ പച്ച
Sanskrit: Aswakatri
Plant description:
Wood fern, also known as Dryopteris, is a group of fern species belonging to the Dryopteridaceae family. It is a beautiful and diverse group of ferns that can be found in various habitats worldwide, from temperate to subtropical regions. Here is a general plant description of a typical wood fern:
- Foliage: The most prominent feature of wood ferns is their fronds, which are the large, feathery leaves. These fronds can vary in size and shape, but they typically have a pinnate (feather-like) arrangement. The fronds arise from a central rhizome and can grow up to several feet in length, depending on the species.
- Leaflets: The fronds are composed of smaller leaflets, also known as pinnae, arranged along the central axis. These leaflets can be deeply lobed, giving them a lacy appearance.
- Color: The color of the fronds can vary depending on the species and environmental conditions. Generally, they have shades of green, ranging from bright green to darker, more subdued hues.
- Texture: The fronds of wood ferns are generally thin and delicate, which adds to their graceful and elegant appearance.
- Habitat: Wood ferns prefer moist and shaded environments, such as forests, woodlands, and along streams or riverbanks. They often grow on the forest floor or on rocks and fallen logs.
- Reproduction: Like all ferns, wood ferns reproduce through spores, which are produced on the undersides of the fronds in structures called sori. These sori may be covered by a protective membrane called an indusium.
- Lifecycle: Wood ferns have a complex life cycle that includes both a sporophyte stage (the visible fern plant) and a gametophyte stage (a small, inconspicuous plant).
- Winter Adaptations: Some wood fern species are deciduous, meaning they lose their fronds in the winter and grow new ones in the spring. Others may retain their fronds through the winter months, especially in milder climates.
Wood ferns are not only aesthetically pleasing, but they also play a crucial role in their ecosystems by providing habitat and food for various wildlife. They are popular choices for shaded gardens and landscaping due to their attractive appearance and relatively low maintenance requirements. However, specific characteristics may vary depending on the particular species of wood fern being described.
Leaf Arrangement
| Shape-Heart Shaped |
Margin-Sinuate |
Venation-parallel |
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Useful plant parts:
Rhizomes and leaves
Medicinal uses:
To treat the cough, typhoid, migraine, headache, and diarrhea
Medicinal properties:
Antibacterial, Anti-gonorrheal, Antipyretic, Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, and Analgesic.
Chemical contents:
phenols, proteins, xanthoproteins, carboxylic acid, coumarins, saponins, catechin, coumarins, flavonoids, phenolics, saponin, friedelin, beta-amyrin, beta-sitosterol 3-beta-D-glucopyranoside, naringin, tannins, alkaloids, steroids, tannins, triterpenes,
