Hard Fern (Blechnum spicant)

Family: Blechnaceae | Edibility: Edible (2/5)

Blechnum spicant is an evergreen Fern growing to 0.3 m (1ft) by 0.3 m (1ft in) at a slow rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in leaf all year, and the seeds ripen from June to August. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils and can grow in very acid soils.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Leaves, Roots/Tubers

Harvest Seasons: Spring, Early Summer, Late Summer, Fall, Winter

Flavor & Culinary Uses

Root - cooked. An emergency food, used when all else fails. Young shoots (often called croziers) - cooked. The young tender stems can be peeled and the centre portion eaten. An emergency food, it is only used when all else fails. — An emergency food, used when all else fails.; Young shoots (often called croziers) - cooked.; The young tender stems can be peeled and the centre portion eaten.; An emergency food, it is only used when all else fails.

Habitat & North American Range

Woods, heaths, moors, mountain grassland and on rocks, to 1200 metres. (Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8)