Blechnum orientale L.
Centipede Fern / Garintik paku ikan/Paku ular/Paku ubil/Paku-paku (Bru.);
Description
Traditional Medicinal Uses
Ecology
Propagation
Distribution
Precaution
Perennial tufted fern that can reach 1.2 m high. Leaves are often forming a clump, reddish when young turning green when mature, pinnately compound, sessile and sub-leathery. Leaflets are linear, placed alternately and numerous. Leaf blade is ovate-lanceolate, narrowly acuminate at apex, rounded or subtruncate at base with entire margin. Stalks are stout, curved upwards, dull yellow or purplish when young, covered with scales at the base. Sori are narrowly aligned along the midrib of the leaflet lower surface. Rhizomes are dark brown,
Locally, the rhizome is sliced and boiled and made into a tea-like beverage. The rhizome is also turned into a paste and used in skin care. The plant exhibits antimicrobial, antiviral, anthelmintic, molluscicidal, anti- inflammatory, analgesic, immunomodulatory, antioxidant, hemostatic, hepatoprotective
It prefers moist but well- drained clay loamy under sunny position.
Spores.
Native to tropical Asia.
None