Crown Wood-Fern (Dryopteris crassirhizoma)

Family: Dryopteridaceae | Edibility: Edible (1/5)

Dryopteris crassirhizoma is a FERN growing to 1 m (3ft 3in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers moist soil and can tolerate drought.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Leaves

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

Flavor & Culinary Uses

Young fronds. No further details, but we would advise caution. See the notes above on toxicity. — No further details, but we would advise caution.; See the notes above on toxicity.

Habitat & North American Range

Mountains all over Japan. A terrestrial fern, growing on the humus-rich floor of temperate forests, often in colonies. (Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9)