Common Name: Scythian Lamb

General Information

Cibotium barometz is an evergreen fern growing from a creeping rhizome that produces clusters of fronds up to 2 metres tall. The rhizome is very thick, woody, and covered by long soft, golden yellow hairs. It looks rather like a golden haired dog[]. This fern was the origin of the myth of the Scythian or Tartarian lamb[].
The plant is sometimes gathered from the wild for local medicinal use. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental[].

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

E. Asia - China, southern Japan, northeast India, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, New Guinea.

Habitat

Hillsides, gullies and forests, where it is shady and damp[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Fern
Height	1.50 m
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Cibotium barometz is native to the subtropical and tropical zones of eastern Asia, where it can be found mainly at elevations below 600 metres, though occasionally ascending to 1,600 metres. It is not a very cold-hardy plant, being able to tolerate short periods with temperatures down to around -4°c when fully dormant[]. The plant can only be grown outdoors in the warmest areas of the temperate zone.
Prefers a humus-rich soil in a sheltered light position but with shade from strong sun. It grows well in light woodland. Plants growing wild are often an indicator of acid soil conditions[]. Requires shelter from winds, an abundance of moisture at its roots and its trunk kept wet[, , ].

Edible Uses

There is a report that the plant is edible, but does not say which part of the plant is eaten[].

Medicinal

The rhizomes contain about 30% starch[]. They are antiinflammatory, anodyne and vermifuge, and are are used in the treatment of conditions such as rheumatism, lumbago, sciatica, leucorrhoea, dysuria, polyuria in the aged etc[, ]. It is thought to have properties that nourish bone and improve gonadal function, so it is frequently used in herbal
remedies for the treatment of osteoporosis[],
The rhizomes are harvested at the end of the growing season, the smaller roots and yellow hairs are removed then the rhizome is chipped into slices and dried for later use[].
The root is employed as a tonic in China, where it is said to exercise a special action on the genito-urinary organs[]
The rhizomes are harvested at the end of the growing season. After all the radicles and the yellow hairs covering them have been removed, the rhizomes should be chipped into slices and dried in the sun[].

The yellow hairs on the rhizomes contain tannins and are astringent[]. They are used to make ointments and are also used in poultices on wounds in order to stop bleeding[].
The long, silky, yellowish hairs at the base of the fronds cause rapid coagulation of the blood and when properly used are useful for arresting haemorrhages from capillaries[].

Agroforestry Uses:

Where growing in its native habitat, the plant is seen as an indicator of acid soils[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Spores - these should be collected from mature fronds of healthy plants. The most mature fronds are generally those lower down on the plant. The spore containers (sori) on these fronds should appear full and plump. The frond branches (pinnae) should be removed from the main frond stem and dried in paper bags, envelopes, or folded newspaper packets. Place each frond piece in its own paper container with the spore side down. To ensure that the spores dry quickly and do not go mouldy, place the containers in a single layer in a warm, dry location for 2 or 3 days. The ripe spores will fall off of the fronds. The spores can be separated from the remaining debris using a very fine screen or sieve[].
Sanitation is an important part of sowing fern spores to prevent both fungal infections and cross contamination by other fern spores. Any sowing medium needs to be fully sterilized before sowing the spores. The cleaned spores are spread on the surface of the sterilized mix and moistened with a fine spray of distilled water. Mixing the spores with water and spraying them onto the planting mix can provide more even distribution. Place a lid over the mix in order to prevent contamination and to maintain high humidity[].
Clean, dry spores can be stored in paper envelopes or packets. Place the envelopes in an air tight container and place it in the refrigerator[].

Side shoots that form on the main trunks can be used to form new plants[].