Swamp water fern facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Swamp water fern |
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| Growing near Botany Bay, Australia | |
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The swamp water fern (scientific name: Telmatoblechnum indicum) is a type of fern often found in wet, sandy places like swamps. It has many other scientific names, including Blechnum indicum. The word indicum comes from Latin and means "from India" or "from the East Indies". This tells us that the plant was first found in places like Java.
Long ago, Indigenous Australians used the starchy underground stem, called a rhizome, of this fern as a food source.
Contents
What is the Swamp Water Fern?
The swamp water fern is a plant that loves wet feet! It grows best in areas where the soil is sandy and often flooded, such as swamps, marshes, and along the edges of streams. It's a common sight in many parts of Australia and Asia.
Where Does This Fern Grow?
This fern is native to a wide range of places. You can find it in:
- Australia (especially New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia, and the Northern Territory)
- Parts of Asia
- The Malesia region (which includes countries like Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines)
It thrives in tropical and subtropical climates where there's plenty of moisture.
How Was This Fern Discovered by Europeans?
The swamp water fern was first collected by European explorers in 1770. Famous naturalists Joseph Banks and Daniel Solander found it during Captain James Cook's first voyage. They collected it at Botany Bay in Australia, along with another swamp fern called Cyclosorus interruptus.
The plant's scientific name, Telmatoblechnum indicum, was officially described in 1768.
Why is the Swamp Water Fern Important?
This fern plays a role in its ecosystem by growing in wet areas. It also has historical importance as a food source for Indigenous Australians.
Traditional Uses of the Fern
Indigenous Australians knew a lot about the plants around them. They would dig up the thick, starchy rhizomes (underground stems) of the swamp water fern. These rhizomes were then prepared and eaten as a source of food, showing how people used natural resources from their environment.
Images for kids
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Growing near Botany Bay, Australia
See also
In Spanish: Blechnum indicum para niños
