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Coniogramme japonica
(Thunb.) Diels
Japanese Bamboo Fern
Pteridaceae
Coniogramme japonica is a species of fern in the family Pteridaceae. It is widely distributed in eastern to southeastern Asia, and in East Asia its fronds are sometimes cooked as a vegetable.
Description
Coniogramme japonica is a rather large terrestrial fern that spreads via rhizomes; rhizomes are sparsely covered with brown scales. Fronds are monomorphic, i.e. not differentiated between sterile and fertile ones. They are bipinnate, with 3 to 5 pairs of long pinnae. The lowest pair of pinnae are themselves divided with 1 to 3 pairs of pinnules, which are lanceolate, 8 to 15 cm long and 1.5 to 3.5 cm wide; the second-lowest pair of pinnae are also sometimes divided into two or three pinnules; the terminal pinna is simple, 20 to 28 cm long and 2.5 to 4 cm wide. Leaf blades have sparse, short teeth. Veins are anastomosing, forming 1 to 3 rows of areoles (the part of the leaf between the veins) along either side of the midrib. Sori are borne on the lower side of the leaf blades, along veins (Wu et al. 2013).
Although Coniogramme species are morphologically similar, Coniogramme japonica is rather distinctive, at least in its range, in having consistently anastomosing veins that form at least one continuous row of areoles along both sides of the midrib (Wu et al. 2013; Wang et al. 2019).
Although Coniogramme species are morphologically similar, Coniogramme japonica is rather distinctive, at least in its range, in having consistently anastomosing veins that form at least one continuous row of areoles along both sides of the midrib (Wu et al. 2013; Wang et al. 2019).
Uses
Note: Please see the disclaimer regarding any information about medical or edible uses.
The young fronds of Coniogramme japonica are edible, and are used as a vegetable in stir-fries. The rhizomes contain a starch that can be turned into noodles (Liu et al. 2012). A cultivar of this species, called ‘Flavomaculata’, has fronds with yellowish-green bands and is cultivated; it prefers moist soil and light shade (RHS).
Distribution
Coniogramme japonica is found in forests and ravines, at altitudes of 100 to 2000 m (Wu et al. 2013). It is native to Japan including the Ryukyu Islands, Korea, southeastern China and Taiwan, and Vietnam (Wang et al. 2019).
Status
References
Liu, Y., Wujisguleng, W., and Long, C. 2012. Food uses of ferns in China: a review. Acta Societatis Botanicorum Poloniae 81: 263–270.
RHS (Royal Horticultural Society). Coniogramme japonica ‘Flavomaculata. RHS Gardening. [accessed 2022 Jul 19]. https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/327492/i-coniogramme-japonica-i-flavomaculata/details
Wang, C., Yang, W., Zhao, J., Zhang, D., and Zhang, G. 2019. Two new records of the fern genus Coniogramme (Pteridaceae) from Vietnam. PhytoKeys, 119: 137–142.
Wu, Z. Y., Raven, P. H., and Hong, D. Y., eds. 2013. Flora of China. Vol. 2-3 (Lycopodiaceae through Polypodiaceae). Beijing: Science Press, and St. Louis: Missouri Botanical Garden Press.
RHS (Royal Horticultural Society). Coniogramme japonica ‘Flavomaculata. RHS Gardening. [accessed 2022 Jul 19]. https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/327492/i-coniogramme-japonica-i-flavomaculata/details
Wang, C., Yang, W., Zhao, J., Zhang, D., and Zhang, G. 2019. Two new records of the fern genus Coniogramme (Pteridaceae) from Vietnam. PhytoKeys, 119: 137–142.
Wu, Z. Y., Raven, P. H., and Hong, D. Y., eds. 2013. Flora of China. Vol. 2-3 (Lycopodiaceae through Polypodiaceae). Beijing: Science Press, and St. Louis: Missouri Botanical Garden Press.
Description
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