Common Name: Berry Bladder Fern

General Information

Cystopteris bulbifera is a deciduous fern with creeping stems; it forms a slowly spreading clump usually around 15 - 25cm tall and 20cm or more wide.
The plant is sometimes harvested from the wild for local use as an emergency food. It is grown as an ornamental, where it can be used as a ground cover

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

Eastern and central N. America - Ontario, Quebec and Newfoundland, south to Arizona, Texas and Georgia

Habitat

Shaded ravines, cracks and ledges on cliffs, rarely terrestrial; usually on calcareous substrates; at elevations from sea level to 2,500 metres[, ].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Fern
Height	0.15 m
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Cystopteris bulbifera is native to the temperate zone of N. America, where it can be found at elevations up to 2,500 metres. A very cold-tolerant plant, when fully dormant it can withstand temperatures down to about -25°c[].
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[]. Plants can be grown on old mortared walls if they are in a shady position[].
Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[].
Plants die back early in dry seasons[].
This plant produces bulbils on the leaves, these fall off when mature and grow into new plants[, ]. In this way the plant can become invasive[].

Edible Uses

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

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

A good ground cover plant[]. Forming a slowly spreading clump, it should be planted 30cm apart each way[].

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.
Bulbils are produced at intervals along the midrib and these can be planted into pots as soon as they are ripe[, ].