Sword Fern

Chehalis - sa´xalum Quinault - sk'e'e´tckl

Family: Fern (Polypodiaceae)
Genus: Polystichum
Species: munitum

Botanical Description: Large evergreen plant, straight leaves forming from thick, woody, scaly rhizome. Lance-shaped, straight to curving blades, once-pinnate, sharp-toothed, pointed, alternate leaflets. Circular, large sori (spore case on underside of fern leaf), attached centrally. Prefers low to medium elevations, moist forests.

Ethnographic Information: Eaten by most tribes. Young curled leaves chewed by Swinomish for sore throats and tonsillitis. Lummi women chewed the curled leaves to facilitate childbirth. Northwest Coastal peoples used sword ferns as a protective layer in pit oven, between food in storage boxes, baskets, and on berry-drying racks. Leaves were also used for flooring and bedding. Cooked rhizomes eaten by some people to cure diarrhea. Large rhizomes were dug in the spring , roasted over a fire or steamed then peeled and eaten as a starvation food