Status:
valid
Authors:
Ching
Source:
tro
Year:
1934
Citation Micro:
Lingnan Sci. J. 13: 499. 1934. (1934)
WFO Identifier:
wfo-0001118550
Common Names
- Onychium Plumosum
- Feathery Onychium
- Feathery Spleenwort
Description
Onychium plumosum (also called ‘Plumose Onychium’, among many other common names) is an evergreen, perennial fern native to tropical Asia and the Pacific Islands. It grows in moist, shady areas, such as forests and woodlands.
Uses & Benefits
Onychium plumosum is used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of ailments such as fever, headaches, and stomachaches. It is also used as an ornamental plant in gardens and as a ground cover.
Flower, Seeds and Seedlings
Onychium plumosum has small, yellowish-green flowers. Its seeds are small, round and black. Its seedlings have a single, long, narrow leaf.
Cultivation and Propagation
Onychium plumosum is a fern native to tropical and subtropical regions of South America. It is a terrestrial species that grows in moist, shady areas. Propagation is best done through division of the rhizomes. The rhizomes should be divided in the spring or summer and planted in a well-draining soil mix. The soil should be kept evenly moist, but not soggy. The plants should be kept in indirect light and fertilized with a balanced fertilizer once a month during the growing season.
Where to Find Onychium plumosum
Onychium plumosum is native to the southeastern United States, from Florida to Virginia. It is found in moist forests and along streams.
Species in the Onychium genus
Species in the Pteridaceae family