CHURULI ( ചുരുളി )

ENGLISH NAME :Vegetable fern
                                               
BOTANIC NAME : Diplazium esculentum
Synonym: Athyrium esculantum
FAMILY: Athyriaceae.   

     
                              
HABIT:It is terrestrial, found on sandy soil or on mud walls in open, shady and moist places adjoining to rivers, ponds or other watercourse.  
 Found in solitary as well as a colony.  
           
DESCRIPTION                         
         PLANT :Rhizome erect up to a height of   1 meter.
         LEAF :Soft, pale green, pinnate, coarsely toothed leaflets, 20- 50 cm long stalk. 
               Clusters of spores are seen on bottom side of the leaflets. 
         FLOWER/  Nil
         FRUIT/
        SEED: Propagated through spores(flower/fruits/seeds are not found in fern family)
       
PROPAGATION:Grows easily from spores. Vegetative propagation is possible through rhizome or runners.

FOOD VALUE: Diplazium esculentum is the most common edible fern,young leaves are dried in shade and used as leaf vegetable. It is a good source of Protein, Carbohydrates, fibre, Calcium, Potassium, Iron, manganese and Vitamin A, C & B-complex..

MEDICINAL USES: Rhizome/ leaves are used as medicine.
 Folkloric: It is diuretic and used as medicine for urinary problems.It provides essential nutrients such as  anti oxidents, Vitamins, minerals and omega-3 omega -6 essential fatty acids.

LOCAL NAMES:Edible fern, Fiddlehead fern (English)
paco (Philppines), Kuuit yoi (Tai), 
Paak kout, kud kin, kud khue, kai-kwi-lu,dhekia, linqada.