Broad-leaf Fern

This species has a long-creeping rhizome about 1 cm (0.4 in) diameter, covered with black shiny hairs up to 5 mm (0.2 in) long, which are coarser on the older sections of the rhizomes. The stipes (leaf stalks) are up to 2 m (6 ft 7 in) long, and have hair-like scales at base but are glabrous at the further end. They appear at regular intervals along the rhizome and branch three or four times. The fronds are green on the upper surface and glaucous underneath. They are 35 to 50 cm (14 to 20 in) long and may be up to 80 cm (31 in) wide, and are divided to the base into two fan-shaped halves, each of which are further divided three or four times. The ultimate lobes taper to a narrow apex with the edges deeply or coarsely toothed. The main veins branch into two veins several times. On the lower surface of the fronds are numerous small sori which are irregularly scattered and of irregular size and shape. They do not have indusia (umbrella-like covers) and have club-shaped paraphyses (filament-like support structures).

It can be found in temperate Asia, within the Ryukyu Islands of Japan. In tropical Asia, within Papua New Guinea, Cambodia (mainly Kampot), Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and Hainan (in China), Taiwan, India, Indonesia, Malaysia (including on the slopes of Mount Ophir,) and in the Philippines. Also within Queensland in Australia, and on the islands of New Caledonia, (of New Zealand) and Fiji. Within Thailand, it is found in the provinces of Surat Thani, Phangnga, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Trang and Yala. Within Singapore, it is found in the district of Kranji, Tanjung Gul and on the island of Pulau Tekong.

It has been used as a medicinal plant to treat various ailments, such as in southern Thailand, the roots have been collected for used in traditional medicine. In Fiji, it is used to treat male reproductive ailments. It also has another use, in the highlands of Mindanao in the Philippines, the large fronds are used as an umbrella.

It is sometimes planted as an ornamental plant in Singapore. It can be grown in poor to well drained soils and is mostly disease and pest resistant. Also specimens of the plant can be found in Cibodas Botanical Garden in West Java of Indonesia, and in the Fernarium of Univerisiti Kebangsaan in Malaysia