This evergreen or deciduous editable fern has a creeping scaly upright rhizome with erect-spreading foliage and forms a clump. It has large dark green fronds that may be twice divided and the fertile fronds appear in summer releasing spores. 

Hardiness zones 9 to 12

Diplazium esculentum is naturally found from southern Japan to southern China, Malaysia, India and Polynesia forming large colonies along stream banks or in open marshy areas (wetlands) and along canals from sea level to an altitude of 2,200 m (7,217 ft). 

It prefers a semi-shaded to shaded wind protected position and grows in well to poorly drained moist peaty (acidic) soils with a pH range from 5.6 to 7.5 and is frost and drought tender.

This Vegetable Fern is grown for its attractive edible foliage and its clumping habit. It is used in moist gully or rockery plantings in parks and gardens and in the understory in a tropical setting. It is also grown in large tubs or planter boxes and used in shaded courtyards. 

It is suitable for coastal and inland regions and establishes in 2-3 years and is long lived. The young fronds are collected as a vegetable and used in salads or stir-fries in many Asian countries and the plant is commonly grown as an indoor specimen when young. ID 2672

Diplazium (dy-PLAY-zee-um)  esculentum (es-kew-LEN-tum)

Dryopteridaceae (DRY-op-TER-ee-DAY-see-ee)