Additional notes (click to expand)

Medicinal

In traditional herbal medicine: An infusion of the fronds has been used as a wash or poultice to treat boils and sores. The young shoots have been chewed and eaten as a treatment for cancer of the womb and to treat sore throats and tonsillitis. The leaves have been chewed by women to facilitate childbirth. The sporangia have been crushed and applied as a poultice to burns, sores and boils. A decoction of the rhizomes has been used in the treatment of dandruff[Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998 ISBN].
http://www.pfaf.org, https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Polystichum+munitum

Nomenclature

hybridparent of: Dryopteridaceae Polystichum × lesliei Rumsey & Acock Fern Gaz. 16(5): 247 (2001 publ. 2002).

Geographical distribution

  • Northern America, Mexico
  • Northern America, Northwestern U.S.A.
  • Northern America, Southwestern U.S.A.
  • Northern America, Subarctic America
  • Northern America, Western Canada

Polystichum munitum (Kaulf.) C. Presl

Family: POLYPODIACEAE
Genus: Polystichum
Species: munitum (Kaulf.) C. Presl
Common names: Western Swordfern
Distribution summary: Northern America
Habit: Perennial
Hardiness: H5 - Hardy; cold winter
Garden status: Currently grown
Garden location: North America (A)
Reason for growing: Medicinal


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