Family: Ophioglossaceae

Synonym:Ophiala zeylanica (L.) Desv.

Bengali/Vernacular name: Krimi fern.

Tribal name: Baringa ludi, Chamasssa, Chamassey, Chimoho kangkhi (Chakma); Cha hnah kangkhri, Cha massa, Chohma kang khri, Simakangcree (Marma); Chamassey (Tanchangya).

English name: Flowering fern, Kamraj.  

Description of the plant: A stipitate fern, with thick, fleshy, creeping rhizome, stipes often 30 cm long, barren segment palmately pinnate, often in three principal divisions, which are again forked or pinnate; fertile spike solitary, arising from the base of the barren segment, 7.5-10 cm long and 13 mm broad.

Helminthostachys zeylanica (L.) Hook.
Makunda Flora-183 - Helminthostachys zeylanica
Helminthostachys zeylanica (L.) Hook.

Plant parts used: Leaf, root.

Herbal uses:Decoction prepared from the fern is taken to treat asthma, and tuberculosis.

Fresh juice extracted from the roots of the fern is taken twice a day (two tea spoons amount each time) for ten days to treat menopause.

Cottonseed-sized pills made from the fronds of the fern are taken thrice a day (one pill each time) until the pneumonia is cured.

A fresh juice extracted from the fronds of the fern is taken twice a day (5 ml amount each time) for one week to treat malaria.

Fresh juice extracted from the fern is taken twice a day (two tea spoons amount each time) for three days to treat diarrhoea.

Paste prepared from the fern is applied to treat snake bite.

Root juice is used to treat jaundice.

The fern is used for the treatment of leprosy, dysentery, and constipation.

Distribution: It is found in Chittagong, Chittagong Hill Tracts, Sundarbans, and occasionally in other places.

Is this plant misidentified? If yes, please tell us….

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