Pteris ensiformis

Pteris ensiformis
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Pteris ensiformis
Conservation status
Secure (NatureServe)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Division:	Pteridophyta
Class:	Pteridopsida
Order:	Polypodiales
Family:	Pteridaceae
Subfamily:	Pteridoideae
Genus:	Pteris
Species:	P. ensiformis
Binomial name
Pteris ensiformis Burm. f, 1768
Varieties
var. ensiformis var. furcans Ching 1983 var. grevilleana Clarke ex Bedd. 1883 var. merrillii (C. Chr. ex Ching) S.H. Wu 1990 var. victoriae Baker 1890

Pteris ensiformis, the slender brake, silver lace fern, sword brake fern, or slender brake fern, is a plant species in the genus Pteridoideae subfamily of the Pteridaceae. It is found in Asia and the Pacific.

Uses

Beverages

It is the most common ingredient of traditional herbal drinks in Taiwan containing different phenolic compounds : kaempferol 3-O-α-l-rhamnopyranoside-7-O-[α-d-apiofuranosyl-(1-2)-β-d-glucopyranoside], 7-O-caffeoylhydroxymaltol 3-O-β-d-glucopyranoside, hispidin 4-O-β-d-glucopyranoside, kaempferol 3-O-α-l-rhamnopyranoside-7-O-β-d-glucopyranoside, caffeic acid, 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid, 3,5-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid and 4,5-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid.

This plant is resistant to arsenic-induced oxidative stress.

Benzoyl-beta-D-glucoside, as well as pterosin sesquiterpenes can be found in P. ensiformis.

Cultivation

Pteris ensiformis is cultivated as an ornamental plant for tropical and subtropical climate gardens, and as a house plant.

Cultivars

• Pteris ensiformis 'Victoriae', the Victoria fern
• Pteris ensiformis 'Evergemiensis'

See also

• List of plants with edible leaves