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Common Name: Mountain Bladder Fern

General Information

Cystopteris montana is a Deciduous Fern up to 0.25 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a food.

Known Hazards

Although we have found no reports of toxicity for this species, a number of ferns contain carcinogens so some caution is advisable[].
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[].

Botanical References

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Range

Northern, but not arctic, Europe, including Britain, east to Siberia. Also in northern N. America.

Habitat

Damp, usually basic, rocks on mountains, 700 - 1100 metres in Northern England and Scotland[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Deciduous Fern
Height	0.25 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Prefers a shady position in a moist but well-drained soil, succeeding in most soil types[]. Plants can tolerate up to 4 hours direct sun per day[]. Prefers a pH between 6.5 and 7, but tolerates a range from 5.5 to 7.5[].
Prefers high humidity, plants die back early in dry seasons[].
Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[].
A very ornamental plant[]. Plants spread by means of a creeping rhizome[].

Edible Uses

Root. An emergency food, it is only used when all else fails[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Spores - best sown as soon as ripe on the surface of a humus-rich sterilized soil. Keep the compost moist, preferably by putting a plastic bag over the pot. Germinates in 1 - 3 months at 20°c[].Pot on small clumps of plantlets as soon as they are large enough to handle and keep humid until they are well established. Do not plant outside until the ferns are at least 2 years old.
Division in spring.