Are sword ferns edible?

[kva47]

I was walking around in the woods the other day and I got to wondering whether or not one can live off of sword ferns? They're probably the most abundant plant life in the woods around here (pacific northwest) and it would be great to know if they're safe to swallow. Anyone read/tried/heard about eating sword ferns?

[Fletcher Christian]

Look up fiddleheads. That is if what you are referring to is what I think it is. Rumor is that ferns and fiddleheads have carcinogens in them though. It'll keep you alive, but might kill you ten years down the road?

[Nutjob Transplant]

i believe only the new fronds or sprouts are edible. the ones that pop up and have all that slimely gunk on them, wipe the slime off and then boil them, then empty the water to get rid of some toxins and the bitter taste and boil them again.

i suggest buying the book The Forager's Harvest: A Guide to Identifying, Harvesting, and Preparing Edible Wild Plants it will help you get started and keep you alive by stopping you from eating bad poisoned plants

Amazon.com: The Forager's Harvest: A Guide to... Amazon.com: The Forager's Harvest: A Guide to...
Amazon.com: The Forager's Harvest: A Guide to...

[Bavarian Raven]

sword fern fiddle heads are not edible. they will give u cramps at the least.
but the roots u can apparently peel and cook like a potato (i have not tested this myself so try at your own risk)

[kva47]

Thanks, guys! Good to know this stuff.

[Straight Razor]

Sword ferns do not have edible fiddle heads. However, one species, Nephrolepis cordifoli, has a marble-like water storage container that is edilbe raw.

[marcwhite29]

I did some research on this and found that native americans used the rhizomes as survival food, but have found nothing positive on the edibility on the fiddle heads. I read about the rhizomes in "Plants of The Pacific Northwest Coast," By Pojar and Mackinnon. Which by the way I've found to be an excellent field guide for our area.

[Straight Razor]

Originally Posted by marcwhite29

I did some research on this and found that native americans used the rhizomes as survival food, but have found nothing positive on the edibility on the fiddle heads. I read about the rhizomes in "Plants of The Pacific Northwest Coast," By Pojar and Mackinnon. Which by the way I've found to be an excellent field guide for our area.

.

Sigh.... this is how people die.... You did some research... what does that mean? Surfing the internet? Which sword fern rhizome did the natives eat? What genus? What species? There are 19 species of sword ferns (Nephrolepis) in the world, according to a world expert I contacted in person. I haven't read of any having edible rhizomes. Two species do have edible swollen stolons. They do no have edible rhizomes.

However, I suspect you mean the Holly Fern, sometimes called the Western Sword Fern, which is a totally different genus and species, Polystichum, specifically Polysticum munitum. Natives roasted the rhizome. But be careful. Polystichum filix-mas is toxic, and Polystichum aleuticum is endangered.

Saying sword ferns have edible rhizomes can get one killed. One needs to be more specific.

[Straight Razor]

This is a different genus than what you ar referring to:

http://www.youtube.com/user/EatTheWe.../0/8e0CtNta_2Q

[ExNod]

I have eaten Polystichum munitum rhizomes on a few occasions. They are pithy and starchy and don't taste too bad. They are an excellent survival food IMHO.

[OlGimletEye]

Being that I am from the Northeast, the only fern (Fiddleheads) that have the lowest carcinogens in my vicinity is the Ostrich Fern, unless you ingest them 24/7 no serious side effects have happened to me. eat them in moderation, you should be all clear..

[VTmike]

I found some good info on fiddleheads here
http://umaine.edu/publications/4198e/
I actually have some that grow in my yard. I just have to be on the ball at harvest time - pretty short window between when they pop out of the ground and open up into ferns.