Onychium japonicum (Carrot fern)

Botanical name

Onychium japonicum

Other names

Carrot fern, Claw fern, Sichuan lace, Onychium japonicum 'Sichuan Lace', Japanese claw fern

Genus

Onychium Onychium

Species

O. japonicum - O. japonicum is a clump-forming, borderline hardy, deciduous fern with wiry, black stems bearing upright to arching, dark green, tripinnate fronds with feathery, finely-divided pinnae.

Foliage

Deciduous

Habit

Arching, Clump-forming, Upright

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Colour

Foliage

Dark-green in Spring; Dark-green in Summer; Dark-green in Autumn

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How to care

Watch out for

Pests

Generally pest free.

Diseases

Generally pest free.

General care

Pruning

Remove dead or damaged fronds as needed.

Propagation methods

Division, Spores

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Onychium japonicum (Carrot fern) will reach a height of 0.4m and a spread of 1m after 5-10 years.

Suggested uses

Beds and borders, Foliage only, Greenhouse, Underplanting, Woodland

Cultivation

Grow in moist but well-drained to moisture retentive soil in partial shade. Requires a sheltered site. Protect with a thick winter mulch or, if container grown, overwinter indoors.

Soil type

Chalky, Loamy, Sandy

Soil drainage

Moist but well-drained, Moisture-retentive

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Partial Shade

Aspect

North, South, East, West

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Hardy (H4), Tender in frost (H3)

USDA zones

Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Onychium japonicum (Carrot fern)

Common pest name

Scientific pest name

Orchidophilus spp.

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

4

General biosecurity comments

A pest of orchids spreading in trade. Currently absent from the UK and unlikely to establish outdoors. Could cause severe damage to hosts growing in protected cultivation.

Defra's Risk register #2

Plant name

Onychium japonicum (Carrot fern)

Common pest name

common blossom thrips; cotton bud thrips; tomato thrips

Scientific pest name

Frankliniella schultzei

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Polyphagous glasshouse pest; present in many countries; single finding in UK.

Defra's Risk register #3

Plant name

Onychium japonicum (Carrot fern)

Common pest name

Rice leaf nematode; Strawberry crimp disease nematode; White tip nematode; White tip nematode of rice

Scientific pest name

Aphelenchoides besseyi

Type

Nematode

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Damaging nematode affecting rice crops and strawberry production in warmer climates; could potentially present a threat to strawberry production and ornamental production in protected environments. But modern production practices seem to reduce likelihood of impacts. Pest is also regulated at EU level; which reduces likelihood of entry.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/