Giant Holly Fern (Polystichum munitum)

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

Polystichum munitum is an evergreen Fern growing to 1 m (3ft 3in) by 0.3 m (1ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4. It is in leaf all year. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) or semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers dry or moist soil.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Roots/Tubers

Harvest Seasons: Fall, Spring, Winter

Flavor & Culinary Uses

Root - roasted. Peeled and then baked like potatoes. The roots were generally viewed by the native North American Indians mainly as a famine food for use when little else was available. — Peeled and then baked like potatoes.; The roots were generally viewed by the native North American Indians mainly as a famine food for use when little else was available.; The roots were generally harvested in the spring, before the plant came into growth then cooked and peeled before being eaten.

Habitat & North American Range

There are two distinct varieties, var. munitum grows in moist coniferous woods, var. imbricans grows in rock crevices and rocky soils in dry coniferous soils. Forms extensive colonies. (Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8)