About Nephrolepis biserrata (Sw.) Desv.
Common Name & Type
Nephrolepis biserrata, commonly called giant swordfern, is a tropical fern.
Native Distribution
It is native to Florida, Mexico, the West Indies, Central America, South America, Africa, and southeast Asia.
Stipe Characteristics
Its stipes are grayish brown, measuring 10–50 cm long by about 4 mm wide.
Lamina Characteristics
The brownish-green, papery lamina are 14–30 cm wide and 0.7–2 m long, and have occasionally reached a length of twenty-seven feet, or eight meters.
Species Size Distinction
This is the largest species of all sword ferns.
Horticultural Name & Growth
It is often sold as Macho Fern in nurseries, named for its aggressive growth compared to the more commonly planted Boston Sword Fern, Nephrolepis exaltata.
Local Names & Edible Use
In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, N. biserrata is called asaha or likekele, and its young leaves are cooked and eaten as a condiment or leafy vegetable.
