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Cibotium barometz
(L.) J.Sm.
Woolly Fern
Cibotiaceae
Cibotium barometz is a species of fern in the family Cibotiaceae. The plant has been mistaken for a mythical plant-animal hybrid called the Vegetable Lamb of Tartary. It is native to East and Southeast Asia, and is used for medicinal properties.
Description
Cibotium barometz grows from rhizomes which are densely hairy with long golden brown hairs. The fronds are at least 2.5 to 4 m long. The stipes have a triangular base, with dense hairs pressed against the stem that easily fall off. The stipes have pores along them for aeration; these are called aerophores for ferns. The fronds are bipinnate with pinnate subleaflets, so almost tripinnate. The blade is 1.5 to 3 m long, and the many leaflets are 40 to 80 cm long and 15 to 30 cm wide, alternate and stalked. Subleaflets are pointed, have short stalks and are slightly curved backwards; they have many small teeth that may be blunt. They are deep green on the upper side, paler and smooth on the bottom side, except for the midrib which is hairy. Sori are located at the bottom of leaflets and contain pale yellow spores (Wu et al. 2013).
Probably because of the hairy rhizomes, the plant has been likened to a lamb. Cibotium barometz was likely the identity of a supposed "Lamb of Tartary", which was described as a lamb growing from the stalks of a plant; an animal-plant (NYBG).
Probably because of the hairy rhizomes, the plant has been likened to a lamb. Cibotium barometz was likely the identity of a supposed "Lamb of Tartary", which was described as a lamb growing from the stalks of a plant; an animal-plant (NYBG).
Uses
​Note: Please see the disclaimer regarding any information about medical or edible uses.
The rhizome hairs and stipes of Cibotium barometz are used in traditional Chinese medicine, to dress wounds and to stop blood from flowing (Wu et al. 2013). It is also reportedly used as food, fiber, and packing, as well as a pot plant (Lim 2016).
Distribution
Cibotium barometz is found in and around forests, valleys, and other warm and humid places at an altitude of 600 m, but may be found up to 1600 m above sea level. It is found in southern China and central Taiwan, northeast India, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, the Malay Peninsula, Indonesia in Java to Sumatra, and the Ryukyu Islands. It is a fairly common species, growing in acidic soils; it grows mostly in the provinces of Guangdong, Guangxi and Guizhou but can reach as far as the Yangtze River in Chongqing (Wu et al. 2013).
Status
Cibotium barometz plants in China and Vietnam are collected directly from the wild, as it is in demand for medical purposes. It is listed in Appendix II of CITES, an international treaty regulating the trade of endangered species (Lim 2016).
References
Lim, T. K. 2016. <i>Edible Medicinal and Non Medicinal Plants. Volume 10, Modified Stems, Roots, Bulbs</i>. Berlin: Springer.<br><br>NYBG (New York Botanical Garden), Poetic Botany: A Digital Exhibition. [accessed 2019 Jun 12]. <a>www.nybg.org/poetic-botany/barometz/</a><br><br>Wu, Z. Y., Raven, P. H., and Hong, D. Y., eds. 2013. <i>Flora of China. Vol. 2-3 (Lycopodiaceae through Polypodiaceae)</i>. Beijing: Science Press, and St. Louis: Missouri Botanical Garden Press.
Description
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